| Written By Travis Sheridan |
The changing of the calendar offers the opportunity for introspection. There really isn’t anything amazing that truly happens when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31 (or is it striking midnight on Jan. 1?), but we take this time to examine life, love, business and a number of other things. Do we remember Dec. 31, 1999? People made some serious plans. Pallets of staple items were tucked away. People wanted to ensure everything was in order “just in case.”
What about Dec. 31, 2007? Why can’t I find any “Y2K.7” stores offering items at pre-apocalyptic prices? Why is this year different? One word: pain. How about two words: perceived pain.
When I woke up Jan. 1, 2000, I noticed something. I noticed something that shook me to my core. I noticed…absolutely nothing. As of Jan. 1, 2000, I have treated everyday like a resource that contains exactly 24 hours. No more perceived pain inflicted upon me by the clock or a calendar. Did you know that May 2 has exactly 24 hours in it? (Scientists, please do not split hairs about nanoseconds and the impact of a leap year.) Everyday has the same 24-hour resource; however, we choose the split-second between pre-midnight Dec. 31 and post-midnight Jan. 1 to say, “This year will be different.”
I have some good and bad news for everyone. This year can be and will be different, but it has nothing to do with the new calendar you hang in your office. The year will be different if you change -- not if the calendar changes.
Back to the hourglass ...
The sand falling through an hourglass seemingly grain by grain does not change. The same grains pass through the opening to record each new hour. Think of those grains of sand like days on a calendar. The resource of time is the same. The exciting thing is that the activities that occur while the grains of sand pass are ultimately up to each and every person.
What is your business going to do differently as grains pass in 2008? Think of things that you can control. At the Central Valley Business Incubator we plan to make the most of the falling sand, by offering a calendar full of activities that will help move your business forward so it really can be different in 2008.
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