Walking by a kebab shop, these words from the TV caught my attention: “The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.” I moved closer to watch and hear her words. It’s a historic day. I noticed emotion swell up in my chest,  just from the chorus of horns calling her to the virtual stage. Surprisingly evocative.


I saw her dressed in black, addressing the nation, the world. I’m watching from Australia with the Nepali staffer behind the counter. I’m an Australian born, Canadian raised leadership futurist. 

The Vice President began to speak. She acknowledged those whose shoulders she stands on, thanking those who have come before her. She talked about dark times and dreaming. She spoke of being able to do hard things, reminding us of Lincoln during the civil war, seeing a better future and working for the emancipation. She spoke of wisdom, courage and determination. (full speech )


I remember the words of my friend on the phone this morning, who got up to watch the inauguration. She called it a “4 tissue affair” because it took her 4 tissues to get through.


I remember the words of Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old poet at the inauguration, who invited us to “…close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside… 
That even as we grieve, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.”


She said that “… if we are to live up to our own time, victory won’t lie in the blade but in the bridges we’ve made. (See in full. My friend tells me that listening with headphones, her voice speaks to the soul.)


Until today I had diminished hope. My perennial optimism seemed fallow.Today feels like change is in the air. Today it feels like setting goals is worthwhile, that dusting off purpose is prudent.


If you’re feeling this too, regardless of whether you have set goals for the year or not, consider joining me for this interactive webinar, RePurpose and Goals via zoom on January 27 11.30am Melbourne time. It’s an exploration of what it means to create fresh futures with purpose at this time of change. I’ll share what I’ve learned over the years setting smart goals, dumb goals, no goals and goals with soul. I hope you’ll join us and share your insights and goals.