If a single word were required to define 2022, it would be “unstable”.

Whilst there were suggestions of a new normal as Covid moves towards endemic state, few will have anticipated the extent of instability that we are now experiencing. In the interests of brevity, I’ll avoid listing the ever growing list of catch phrases used to describe the various events that characterise. Suffice to state that the list is long and growing. Our shared challenge is to understand how to navigate the instability to achieve sustainable contentment.

There are a number of reference points that I believe are helpful in charting the course:

Think about your world in relative terms. In turbulent times market share is a more worthy indicator of well-being than is revenue growth.
Value and build upon relationships founded upon trust and respect. These relationships are more reliable, thereby providing a safer haven through which to collaborate, share experience and ultimately acquire the new knowledge and information that might aid with navigation through difficult times.
Never sacrifice your values. Whilst it can be tempting to leap towards anything that might offer comfort and support when trading conditions become difficult, this should never be at the expenses of those things that define you. Sustainable contentment can only be achieved by being who you are and protecting what that means for yourself and others, every day.

Whilst my wish for everyone is a period of stability, my sense is that this is unlikely to happen in the near term i.e. during 2023. I therefore wish everyone the strength to recognise where they are, surround themselves with people that they trust and stick to the behaviours that define how they wish to live.