thank you (and happy holidays)

Quarterly goal setting is something I’ve always considered to be a foundational component of how we do things at storytelling with data. It’s a way to ensure we’re making progress on our mission to inspire positive change through the stories we tell with data. I encourage team members to set ambitious goals; I set substantial ones for myself.

A thought struck me recently. Some of the lofty targets I’ve set for myself have backfired, leaving me disappointed by the gap to (an arguably unachievable) target, rather than grateful for the measurable success. Also, when you set aggressive goals on a regular basis, it can make it easy to finish something big and then move immediately into the next thing—without pausing at all to feel accomplishment. While forward momentum is a good thing, when one is only ever pushing forward, it can undermine contentment with the present.

I share this as a reminder to pause. Reflect. Appreciate the work you have done. Acknowledge the work of those around you. Express gratitude. With 2022 coming to a close, I am intentionally taking time to stop and reflect on the past year—and the past decade—at storytelling with data.

I have a great deal to be proud of and grateful for. Rather than enumerate those things here, I’d like to simply say thank you. Thank you for being part of what we do and why we do it.

I also wish you very happy holidays, on behalf of the entire storytelling with data team.