End of year thoughts

Just-breatheStarting in the fall of 2014 Fred and I will be empty nesters.  That is a huge milestone.  In reality that transition will begin in June because everyone will be doing their own summer thing where we will all eventually end up being together sometime in August but not before then.  So what does that mean?

 

I know that I must hire an assistant in the new year.  There is no doubt that I have surpassed my ability to manage everything.  It isn't so much that I am feeling overwhelmed but more that there are many things that I know that if someone else could help me that I would be much more productive.I love being productive and there is only so much time in the day and space in ones brain to keep everything moving forward.

I always like to ponder about the past year and think about the year to come at this time of the year. This particular year I am thinking more about the future than I am about the past.

I am always excited about the investments that I am making which includes watching them grow.  I have learned a lot over the past year in regards to working with entrepreneurs.  I will do anything to help companies that I am involved with and most take me up on that by engaging me at each level from advice to connections to strategic planning.   I want to continue to work in that manner and figure out ways to engage the few that don't reach out as often.  Being a passive investor is not in my vocabulary.

I will certainly travel more and have much more flexibility to pick up and go somewhere. How that works into everything else will be interesting.  I will most definitely not be spending 12 months a year in NYC.  I love NYC but am looking forward to spending long periods of time in Los Angeles too.

I am the first to admit my eyes are so much bigger than my stomach so I see the next year as a unique opportunity to plunge into so many things I want to do…and of course there are only so many hours in a day.  I do want to be aware that my opportunity to not be as balanced in regards to coming home to the family (meaning the kids) just changes everything.  I guess I still have to worry about the dog ( LOL ) but I'd like to be able to have more time to breath and for me that is a huge commitment but I would say that is my number one goal for 2014.  Breath, breath, breath.

Comments (Archived):

  1. CCjudy

    where is your son going to school?

    1. Gotham Gal

      Wesleyan. We hit the trifecta.

      1. karen_e

        Really, all three chose the same school?! I remember when Jess headed there. Wow!

        1. Gotham Gal

          Yep.I could give a million reasons why but they will all have very different experiences. Its an amazing place and makes a lot of sense based on the past 18 years of each of their lives

      2. John Revay

        Ah, in the great state of Connecticut!I am happy for him, it sounds like it is a good fit for the Wilsons.

  2. pointsnfigures

    Happy New Year. Empty nest is fun. We have two daughters the same ages as yours, but without the caboose.

  3. LE

    It isn’t so much that I am feeling overwhelmed but more that there are many things that I know that if someone else could help me that I would be much more productive.Boy do I agree with that.I remember in my first business when I hired someone to be a “manager” but he was really in a sense my assistant.First day he was at the job we had to install a conveyor belt between the basement and first floor.The person that I hired said “I will take care of this you don’t have to do anything”. And he oversaw the installation (something I would have been totally managing) and a big cloud was lifted from my day to day responsibilities. He had a brain and was able to run with things and free up my time to be more creative. “He had a brain”.My dad had the same experience at his company. He hired a guy (a former military man) who was able to free him up to spend more time on real estate.The person who I hired stayed with the company a few years after I sold it and started his own company and is quite successful now. He is also married with kids. He met his wife when she came in and he saw her on the closed circuit tv cameras I had installed (a bit novel back then) and asked her out on a date.There is no doubt that the right person working for you will have quite an opportunity to learn. As such I would think the ideal person is someone who will not be a career assistant but merely moving through on to bigger and better things. [1]I think there is also a business idea teaming up either recent college grads and/or people with high potential in jobs where they can learn from someone who likes to teach (and has a good rolodex). You certainly fall into that category. (So do I so I would love to find someone along the same lines.)[1] If you have the space I would actually hire two people even if you think one can do the job. Two people have a synergy, can back each other up, and keep each other company.

    1. Gotham Gal

      great advice. my son said the same thing this week. you need to hire someone young who you will mentor that will stay and then move on. he said that is an incredible opportunity for the right person.eventually having two people makes sense. if i can grow the company in the right direction then the need for two people makes sense. i like that there is a a group vs a solo.

      1. Donna Brewington White

        I don’t know about you but I also need someone young to mentor ME! A lot to learn from these millennials.

  4. Mark Gavagan

    “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

    1. Gotham Gal

      I like that

  5. Richard

    Come visit downtown LA. There is some fertile soil for your seeds $.

    1. Gotham Gal

      I have been and I totally agree.

  6. Founder

    Joanne, as a founder of one of the company’s you invest in, your hands-on approach has been so refreshing and wonderful and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you, thank you, thank you and happy new year.

  7. Donna Brewington White

    I so relate to everything you’ve said here! Well, except the investments and empty nest part. You are an inspiration and a great touchstone for someone like me.It makes me happy to know that you and Fred will be spending more time in L.A. Perhaps we will have coffee sometime!Happy New Year, GG! I look forward to hearing more about your adventures.

  8. Rohan

    Happy new year Joanne! :))

  9. William Mougayar

    Have you thought about the pros/cons of a virtual assistant?

    1. Gotham Gal

      I have. No interest in a virtual assistant

  10. Shripriya

    I have a feeling it will be a great year for you! And congratulations on Josh deciding on Wesleyan!

  11. TanyaMonteiro

    http://www.breathing-zone.com/ do you know this app? I love what the “founder” said below, your “hands on approach” is what made me pay attention to you first. Exciting chapter, I’d still love to share that yoga class with you someday.

    1. Gotham Gal

      have not heard of this app. will take a look today.