Something to Look Forward To
Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m a big fan of movies and music. I often weave movie quotes into conversations with my employees during meetings to anchor certain sentiments or emphasize key points. I’ve found this technique particularly effective in helping both patients and employees create a reference outside of my personal viewpoint, fostering lasting habits or behavioral improvements. It’s as though the character in the movie or TV show is conveying the message, not just me.
One show I’ve enjoyed both for its historical significance and business insights is Boardwalk Empire. Steve Buscemi stars as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a character loosely based on the Atlantic City political figure, Lewis “Nucky” Johnson. Set in Atlantic City during Prohibition, the show spans five seasons, tracing the rise and fall of its central character. In one episode, Nucky promises his girlfriend that he will take her and her two children to Paris, expressing the sentiment, “It’s always good to have something to look forward to.”
Nucky’s sentiment, “It’s always good to have something to look forward to,” has resonated with me for some time, especially after my wife and I successfully navigated her breast cancer journey. We’re now six years post-diagnosis, and with great certainty, we can say that we have much to look forward to. During her third year of treatment, I felt it was important to create lasting memories for ourselves, our family, and our friends. That’s when we decided to purchase a house in North Carolina — a mountain retreat, 12 hours away, which at first didn’t seem like the most practical choice. But it has turned out to be even better than we expected.
Since 2021, we’ve made great use of our mountain house, incorporating regular visits as often as possible. I’ve hosted countless “brothers weekends” with my siblings, enjoyed two mother-son weekends, and my wife has hosted several girls’ weekends with her friends and family, including a New Year’s celebration with friends. I bring all of this up to emphasize how quickly life can change and how waiting for the “right time” may not always be the most practical approach.
How many of us are in situations — whether personally, professionally, or romantically — that just aren’t working? Real, lasting change can only be achieved through massive action steps. This requires courage, planning, and the belief that something better is out there for you.
We’re slowly exiting 2024, and before we know it, 2025 will be here. There are only 71 days left until the end of the year. I always begin reflecting on what I want to create for the next year in October. Have you thought about how you want to show up in 2025? Have you identified what hasn’t worked for you in 2024 — whether it’s behaviors, patterns, excuses, or even people?
Now might be the perfect time to take stock. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Take some time to reflect on what you’d like to be different for yourself as you move into the new year. If you aren’t getting what you want, maybe some self-reflection and a hard look at why could be the tipping point for lasting improvement. Having the best version of yourself to look forward to may just be the best thing you could “gift” yourself for 2025. Have a great work week.
