It’s a Celebration!
David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer
Today Marisa and I celebrate the third anniversary of The Next Page podcast. Now I know that to some of you, that’s not a big deal, but it is to me. It’s a really big deal, and let me tell you why. Just over three years ago, it was suggested that we needed a podcast. Marisa said she thought it was a good idea, and I challenged her with this comment, “I’ll do it if you do it with me.” To my surprise, she said yes, and the rest, as some would say, is history. Please allow me to tell you what else it is. It’s three years of commitment and hard work. It’s not missing an episode for three full years. It’s recording episodes while on vacation. It’s recording episodes in advance so Marisa could take time off to deliver a beautiful baby girl. It’s recording episodes early in the morning or late in the evening, and even when you are sick and can hardly talk. It is three years of commitment to each other and our listeners. The result is listeners in 17 countries with thousands of downloads. Surprisingly after the United States, the next highest downloads are in Spain, followed by Costa Rica. So today, we celebrate!
Have you ever thought about the things we celebrate? We celebrate people on their birthdays. This celebration tells them that we love them and appreciate who they are and the value and joy that they bring to us. We celebrate the anniversaries of special days or events that have meaning to us. We celebrate the holidays that we hold dear. We celebrate them because we are grateful, and they bring us joy. The fact is, when we are in a state of gratitude, we can’t be angry. When we are in a state of gratitude, we can’t feel overwhelmed. Maybe, right now, more than ever, we need to see the reasons to be grateful and celebrate.
According to Keynote Speaker Ryan Estis, celebration creates connections, builds momentum, and generates anticipation. When Syracuse University is getting ready to play in a big game, not only is the Dome full of fans, but we see blue and orange all over town. We are connected by the celebration of our favorite team facing off against a rival. Momentum builds with each win, and our energy levels rise, and the team seems to get better before our eyes. Even before Thanksgiving, we start adding Christmas and Holiday decorations around our homes in anticipation of the “most wonderful time of the year.” When we fail to see the benefit of celebrating, we squander the opportunity of increased energy. As leaders, are we capitalizing on this powerful and mostly free tool? Celebrations can unlock incredible potential—which could very well be the “secret sauce” you and your organization need.
So… as Kool & the Gang would say, “It’s time to come together, Celebrate, and have a good time.” If you would like to hear more about the value of celebrating as well as what can erase the effects of celebration, please join Marisa and me for the third-anniversary edition of The Next Page podcast.
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