2022 has been many things, but one thing we can say for sure is that it has kept us on our toes. It has been an interesting and very successful year – starting off (January) with Covid lockdowns and restrictions to where we are now, I’ve learned a lot both personally and professionally.

Music and my love thereof have always been a constant in my life – it brings me comfort and I find a lot of wisdom in the song lyrics. So, I thought, what better way to share some of my learnings from the year than by identifying the songs that resonated with me the most?

Here’s one that I’m sure most of you (in South Africa) can identify with: ‘Hello darkness my old friend’ – Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. The return of load shedding literally plunged us all into darkness again but on a more metaphorical note, the state of the world with lockdowns, wars, inflation, and load shedding to name just a few things has put an enormous strain on a lot of people and their mental health. Knowing this, I have found that having some empathy and compassion can go a very long way in someone’s day or even life. Rather be kind than right!

Make the Money by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – ‘Make the money, don’t let the money make you. Change the game don’t let the game change you. This song speaks to something I have always believed, which is that a successful person is someone that creates wealth and changes people’s lives along the way. VaultGroupTM started with 2 people and has grown to employ over 50 staff – one of the achievements in my life that I am most proud of. Being able to grow our business would not be possible without our VaultGroup™ team, I’ve learned that they are the most precious resource in any business.

A classic, The Gambler by Kenny Rogers ‘You got to know when to hold ’em. Know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away. And know when to run. You never count your money. When you’re sittin’ at the table. There’ll be time enough for countin’. When the dealing’s done. I’ve learned that it’s important to trust your instincts and your business opportunities objectively – don’t fall in love with an idea. Try everything in your power to make it work but remember that failures are learning curves. It’s ok to let go of an idea, learn from the experience, and move on.

As this year winds down, try to take some time to reflect on what 2022 has taught you – no matter how big or small, it all counts. Because who is to say what 2023 has in store for us all, I know that it will present new challenges, new possibilities to learn and grow as well as amazing opportunities to implement what we have learned this year.

Published: 29 November 2022 12:00