What’s Next for Us?
It is a bittersweet time when you decide to close a company that you have built over decades. We have had an amazing partnership and created so many great memories doing this fun and rewarding job. We’ve definitely had our share of adventures—travelling to places big and small, speaking at hundreds of conferences, meeting new people and inspiring them to network with confidence.
But there comes a time for a change. And though we will still find ways to have fun together, we wanted to share what’s coming up next for each of us.
From Gayle
I am not ready to say goodbye to the world of networking. I am simply too excited to see what happens next. The A.I. revolution is going to change so many things…and it is going to happen fast. There are so many questions to be answered:
- For all the benefits A.I. will bring, will it pull us away from authentic human connections?
- Will we begin to question our relationships? Did A.I. write that email I just received?
- In a world where AI is taking over more of our “work” (and freeing up more time) will building and maintaining those real, deep, and trusting human relationships become our most valuable asset?
- Will human connecting become the most essential skill in this new era?
I want to stay ‘in play’, but I have other passions. And as ‘the runway’ gets shorter, I am morphing into Semi-Retirement. I am learning new things I never thought I would in my 70s (!) such as using power tools and restoring a gorgeous 50’ Ocean Alexander boat with my partner.
But I will continue speaking, with a focus on Human Networking in the Age of A.I.
If you want to follow me on my LinkedIn page where I will be posting tips you can do so here.
More adventures ahead!
–Gayle
From Judy
Unlike Gayle, I am ready to happily embrace the job title of ‘Retired’. It wasn’t an overnight decision for me — I made sure to ease into it. Over the past few years I made a conscious effort to step back from my work as a director on public and not-for-profit boards and reduce my involvement with new speaking and training engagements. This provided me with more time to pursue my new creative passion—photography. It is something I took up about twelve years ago when my family gave me a birthday gift of a three-day photography workshop in Tofino. It kind of changed my life!
After that amazing weekend, I was inspired to learn more. I signed up for other courses, joined photography groups and connected with people who shared my passion. I made wonderful new friends and even met my life partner along the way! Now, he and I travel together, cameras in hand, always eager for the next great shot and new adventure.
Photography has taught me to slow down and really notice the little things. After years of a fast-paced career, I’m more than ready to enjoy life’s quiet moments. If you’d like to join me on my photography adventures, you can find my work here on Instagram.
–Judy
Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson