Roll on 2021!

It is safe to say that 2020 is a year that no-one fill ever forget. As the year comes to an end, our Marketing Manager Adam asks members of Team ION what they are looking forward to in 2021.

2020 was the year that the world turned upside down. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the world changed. From my own point of view, on March 23rd (ironically my birthday!) I left the office and haven't been back since. My dining room, which was also my kid's playroom, has now also become an office for myself and my wife.

As 2020 comes to end, I asked members of Team ION what they are looking forward to in 2021, personally and professionally. Here they are, in their own words.

Felicity

In terms of what I’m excited about in 2021, the biggest thing for me will be finally getting married. Come what may, we are getting hitched next year and we won’t be postponing it again.

From an ION point of view, I’m looking forward to being more involved with the Leadership Development Officer’s as I’m taking on some marking of assignments (yes, I’m actually looking forward to this) and also helping out with the ‘change’ modules of each programme, as that is actually my background and in which one of my MA’s was focused.

Linda

Professionally to see ION change from a shop to a superstore! Have lots of interesting products to offer. I still want to work from home, I haven’t missed the stress of the commute, and we can still interact with colleagues using all the technology at our fingertips! Personally, I hope post-Covid-19 allows me to travel not just abroad but in the UK too, to see family, live bands, sporting events and see the sites the world has to offer. Enjoy life!

Adam

2020 was the year we started to offer online learning. Although we cannot wait to get back delivering face-to-face, I am looking forward to seeing how we can integrate online learning into our product offering. I am loving working from home, and the flexibility it gives me around family life, but I still can't find the perfect desk chair. The search continues in 2021!

Personally, I am looking forward to football getting back to normal. I can't wait to be able to go watch my team, Hull City, with my daughter - especially as we're doing well at the minute (I've probably just jinxed that now!). I am also looking forward to grassroots football getting back to normal. I coach both Cwm Wanderers FC Under 7's boys and Under 10's girl's football (my kids play in both teams), so I am looking forward to continuing to develop the next generation of awesome Welsh footballers.

Kaye

Freedom.....to be back networking and meeting people at events (just like in this picture!)

Gwenllian

Gwenllian blogged for us yesterday about what she has learnt in 2020 and what she is looking forward to in 2021. Find out more in our blog section.

Clare

I am looking forward to racing in the new year and catching up with all my running friends.  The last few years there has been a ParkRun around New Year. I usually take loads of cake to distribute afterwards.

Tony

Human contact! Hugging and kissing people. Going to the pub. ION wise, face-to-face workshops are much more interesting and I can't wait to get that human contact happening again. Loads more 'touchy-feely' metaphor activities.

Mannon

I am really looking forward to pushing myself personally and professionally in 2021. This year has been such a challenge but has really given me a sight of what I want in life! Bring on 2021 I say and all it brings with it! I am a firm believer that we write our own destiny. Here is a quote I love “The life of your dreams, everything you would love to be, do or have, has always been closer to you than you knew, because the power to everything you want is inside you.” Rhonda Byrne.

Nicola

Well, what a year it’s been! I’m hoping that 2021 will bring joy and happiness to all and that we will all receive the gift of the Covid-19 vaccination.

I’m most certainly looking forward to feeling less anxious about things and being able to meet up with friends, family, and work colleagues without having to socially distance. I simply can’t wait to return to normality and get back into a proper routine again. I’ve not only really missed being able to get out and about to visit many of my friends and loved ones, but I’ve also missed catching up with people from local businesses. I can honestly say that I will never take being able to be face to face with someone for granted ever again! I’m looking forward to the day when we can all bin our facemask’s and give and receive a hug or a handshake without thinking twice.

Although 2020 has been a year to forget, it’s also been a good year to learn, especially in terms of communication skills. Thank goodness for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype and House Party, what would we have done without them!

What are you looking forward to in 2021? Let us know in the comments or on social media.