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JULY:
Perfect for Planning
(What Was That!?!?!)
The school buses have stopped running, and July is FINALLY here. With the BIG and historic semiquincentennial weekend just ahead of us, the second half of 2026 just beginning, and two beautiful, clear months of summer ahead, it’s a perfect time to free the mind for planning.
What? Yes, you heard me right!
My goggles are polished and crystal clear, having just spent a very refreshing men’s getaway weekend at a rustic retreat. Clean, crisp air, quiet woods, deep sleep, great company and meaningful times make for clarity. Respite - which summer affords - is essential for reflecting back, enjoying the moment, and planning forward.
What are your priorities for the summer, the second half of the year, and perhaps for 2027? Here are mine:
Personal:
A renewed focus on a healthy life. My baseline is very good, so I’ll just be improving around the edges – a little more cycling (of course, at 6:30 am – the only guaranteed cool time of day), fewer medications (if any), healthier diet, avoiding injuries, more laughter and fun.
Family is most important to me, so I foresee more contact with Dad, my siblings and my kids, and celebrating grandchildren’s birthdays, making for very sunny days. I am blessed.
Though it’s not likely that I’ll travel to my beloved Colorado, with its cool, crisp air and stunning mountain views, I’ll enjoy having guests here in the Philadelphia suburbs, and will be a guest in the Hudson Valley (and, I hope, at the beach!) – all with good friends and family.
Since the summer has just begun, there’s still time to sneak another trip or two onto the calendar. What’s that saying about ‘proper prior planning?’ Here’s my business guru, Brian Tracy’s, take on it: ‘Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.’ In fact, the '6Ps' wind up creating space for more options and opportunities. Maybe I WILL get that Colorado trip on the calendar.
Business:
Although summer is traditionally quiet, new buds of business growth are apparent. In addition to meeting people’s needs for gift-giving, sending and serving something beautiful, fresh and delicious to honor occasions (or ‘just because’), and our after-camp and -pool smoothie business, two new trends are emerging: my sympathy customers are moving toward sending fruit bouquets and platters instead of flowers; and my corporate and organizational customers (you can call that B2B – business to business) are increasing in an organic and wonderful way, taking care of employees and customers with gifts of good wishes, recognition thanks and 'taste.' Again, I am blessed.
When I look forward to the months ahead as I write today, July 1, I've just got to sum up my thoughts with a few words from the title of a 1986 pop music hit:
‘The future’s so bright, I’ve got to wear shades.’
Join me on this happy journey!
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