Sprint to the finish

Rather than winding down, it feels like this roller coaster year is gathering pace.

One of my most popular blogs for 2020 was about engagement practitioners feeling like they were on the wrong side of a dam wall, about to break.

Since late March, they’d worked frantically to move all their engagement online. But they suspected that a whole lot of projects had been put on hold for when public health restrictions lifted.

They were right. That dam wall broke not long after that September blog. It feels like we’ve been sprinting to the finish line ever since.

The subject of one of my other popular blogs, Joan - my 104-year-old mother-in-law - would regard this sprint as unnecessary. She’d wonder why things were left to the last minute and we didn’t plan. Joan likes to know what lies ahead and doesn’t much like surprises.

On her mind at this time of the year will be concern at how much we’re spending on the family Kris Kringle presents ("$70!! Each??!!”) and what to wear for Christmas lunch.

So, not for the first time, I’m taking a tip from Joan and signing off for the year.

I’ll be back on 7 January and my first blog for 2021 will land in your inbox on 12 January.

Thank you for reading my blog over the year. I love getting your feedback - it’s for you that I write.

Wishing you and yours a relaxing break, a happy Christmas and a wonderful 2021.