Starting a New Year on Solid Ground

Our house shook this morning.


The kind of vibration that makes you understand, in an instant, that something big, unusual, and concerning has happened.

It turned out a neighbor’s tree couldn’t withstand the wind and rain from this morning’s storm.

And so here we are.

With a massive tree limb covering a portion of our deck and blocking access to most of our backyard.

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After a “big shake” like this, I feel so fortunate.

That everyone is safe.

That we were able to quickly assess the damage and determine next steps.

That the tree fell where it did, missing the house. Because just a couple of inches in one direction would have caused significant damage.

That our tree guy (yes, we have a tree guy) answered my text for help quickly and already has a crew headed our way this afternoon to help with the clean-up.

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Maybe you’ve had some big shakes this year – either in your family or your organization.

2025 has been full of them for so many people I know.

These disruptions can seem to come out of nowhere, may be caused - either intentionally or inadvertently - by others, and may not be preventable.

And yet, it’s still on us to deal with the aftermath.

So it’s good to know what to do when they happen.

Remember to:

→ Check on your people. Even if they’re safe, they may feel scared. Your calm energy and care will help.

→ Assess the situation. Quickly gather facts, get a good picture of what’s happened (it may not be perfect or complete), and determine next steps.

→ Call in the right help. There may be situations you can handle on your own, but there will be others where bringing in the right experts can help you preserve existing assets, limit further damage, and handle repair more quickly and effectively.

As 2025 wraps up, I'm wishing you fewer "big shakes" in 2026, but also the strength, clarity, and support to deal with any that come your way.