Celebrate Your Successes!

Last week I wrote about cake in my blog (click here to read it if you missed it) and this week I’m doing it again!

Why? Because on Friday 13 September 2013 we threw a party to celebrate Appletree’s 13^th Birthday Party. The past year has been a tough one. We finished our financial year in July 2012 with a much lower turnover than we were capable of. The recession had hit us late and I’d lost my focus slightly, taking on too many projects that just didn’t fit with our core strengths. Last September I made a brave decision to close down a networking company that I’d bought two years ago. This turned out to be one of my best business decisions, as closing the company meant that I could really focus on growing Appletree, looking after our great clients and developing the services that we’re known for.

We ended this current financial year with a growth in turnover of 24% and a profit margin of 48%. It’s been hard work, so a party to celebrate that success seemed like the best thing to do. It was my way of thanking my brilliant team for all their hard work, for thanking our wonderful clients for their support and for thanking all the other people on whom we rely, to grow this business. All the photos are on Facebook – take a look at them here.

We put up gazebos on the lawn (which kept the rain out!), ordered an Appletree shaped cake and matching cup cakes and opened quite a few bottles of bubbly! I hadn’t seen some of the guests for some time, so it was great to reconnect; new clients who hadn’t yet been to the office were given the guided tour and plenty of networking and swopping of business cards took place. A great way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Last Friday was also the official launch date of my new book – One in Ten. It’s the story of the first ten years of Appletree, including some of the mistakes we’ve made and the lessons we’ve learnt. I started writing the book three years ago and earlier this year, set myself the goal of finishing it in time for the party. It’s now available to order online! Just click here to order a copy at the special launch price.

You don’t need to make it to 13 years or write a book to celebrate. You don’t need to throw a party every Friday afternoon. But do think about how you can celebrate your successes. It?s great to look back at what you’ve achieved and give yourself a pat on the back now and again.

What will you be celebrating this week, this month or this year?