The New Year Will Bring Us Something Brand New
This time last year we were waiting with great expectations for the new year. 2020 was going to bring to us a clean slate in life, goals, business and dreams. If you were anything like me, then 2020 was going to be your year. Also, if you’re like me, you say this every new year. With great anticipation I walked into 2020. One of the reasons I looked forward to the new year was in 2019 my whole department was let go, so after 16 years I was without a job. But never fear, I was finally able to do what I have wanted to do, and now I get to do it full-time. So, 2020 was going to be my year. When you sang My Auld Lang Syne at midnight, what were you anticipating for the new year known as 2020?
March of 2020 changed everything. Every goal. Every dream. Everything. Restaurants were not only shutdown but the whole industry rocked to the point there has been a special fund set up by Guy Fieri to help them. Entertainment was shut down. No movies were being made, but why should there be? There were no theaters open in which to show them. People out of work, the government sending us money to ease the pain just a wee bit and here we sit on furlough waiting for 2021.
However, once again, I will say I’m looking forward to a brand-new year. With it will bring a new slate. When the ball drops in New York (and around the world), we all feel as if there is a re-do, a brand-new lease on life. Our dreams are shiny once again and not battered by the challenges of life. Walking into January 1st, it’s like a breath of fresh air, among the cheese dip and bowl games on TV. Tomorrow will be 2020’s last day and then 2021 brings us something brand new.
Brand New Opportunities
Every year while watching the Rose Bowl Parade, I look over what will come in the new year such as, vacations, BBQ contests, business 
opportunities, etc. I look at each of these as opportunities for various reasons. Opportunities to get away for some relaxation with the family. Do not dismiss this as an opportunity to grow closer to the one you love and enjoy spending time with. Also, I’ve made business connections while on holiday, so there are opportunities around us if we are looking.
Watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon was stuck on an equation, then remembered Einstein did some of his greatest discoveries while working a regular 9 to 5 job (of course I researched this and it is true by the way). I am not saying you need to go get a job other than the one you have and love. But I am saying, some of our greatest opportunities come when we are doing something else. It frees up or relaxes our mind, clears out the clutter and then we can see what lies ahead. The key is always be on the look out for brand new opportunities in what it is you do, the business of BBQ.
With great anticipation, I look forward to 2021 bring a heap of brand-new opportunities.
New Challenges
Everyone says, “I love a good challenge” but the events of 2020 really put this to the test. Marketing took on a new look. Many businesses redefined how they did their business. This was very evident with restaurants who never did curbside or drive-up service. Meeting payroll with half capacity became one of the biggest challenges but was met head on with creativity and a renewed vigor in many places. “Necessity is the mother of invention” is a phrase we have heard all our lives. When Thomas Edison got tired of lighting a lamp by which to read, along came a lightbulb. When Henry Ford was tired of the expense of a horse and carriage, along came the “Quadricycle,” the first automobile he ever designed or drove. But have you ever realized how this phrase “Necessity is the mother of invention” applies to your business?
This was made clear this past year and we all realize every new year brings its own set of challenges. What 2020 has taught us, is regardless of the challenges we face, we can meet them head on and overcome. This isn’t to say there will be smooth sailing with rainbows and cotton candy. Challenges just do not work this way. They stretch us, tire us, and in many cases give us cause to doubt. However, when we press on, these challenges reveal to us strength and creativity we didn’t realize we possessed.
As 2021 knocks on the door of time, I look forward to what these brand-new challenges bring.
New Adventures
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was a great adventure movie. Many archeologists had to get the word out that what he did, was not archeology. This didn’t stop high school students from looking into this as a career. The adventure of it all drew them to this and some stayed as they realized there was adventure, of sorts, in discovering ancient civilizations. We all love a great adventure, whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or just going to the market in the Bahamas. This new year will bring many adventures to you both personally and in business.
For most people, adventures carry with them positive experiences. Although the positivity may only be seen with hindsight. Adventure brings with it experiences we will tell our grandkids about, learn new things or techniques we can use on the grill. Adventure can be anywhere or anything we make it our to be. Culinary adventures, traveling adventures, binge watching television shows adventures. Taking a trip to the same place can carry with it an adventure full of memoires and knowledge. We just need to learn to look at our experiences as great adventures from which to grow.
With eagerness, I will put on my best leather jacket and Indiana Jones hat, to face this brand-new adventure we will call 2021.
Happy New Year Everyone.