Blogs
8 Mile told us we only get one shot, and opportunity comes once in a lifetime…
April 2025
A figure of 8 can denote an infinite flow of energy; with the number on its side being the mathematical symbol for infinity. As we get older, it becomes harder to display never-ending energy, but such can be triggered by goals and objectives; often (misguided) in regard to competition for greatness and recognition.
I suspect most of us find it hard to balance the spiritual world with the material one. I’d hold my hands up and say I can be spiritual and seek the finer humane elements of life; yet I also take pride in admiring a newly bought (mid-life crisis) Mercedes coupé, “should have been a rock star” guitars and looking smart in designer suits and other ‘branded and labelled’ attire.
So, as I complete eight years at Russell Bedford International, I was interested to see the number 8 represents a balance between the materialistic and spiritual world.
Additionally, 8 is a number that signifies wealth, success, and infinite possibilities, as well as being lucky in Chinese and other Asian cultures.
When I think of 8, I’m drawn to the black pool ball that, for me, can be lucky or rather unlucky; particularly when sunk from a most impressive final shot into an unexpected pocket, only to be followed instantaneously by the white cue ball falling into another.
Eight years at Russell Bedford have brought much success, happiness and fortune. I consider whether luck is involved, but I’d like to think we create our own luck by working hard, being dedicated, passionate and motivated. Hence, spirituality I believe is something we gain from our own humanity and how we conduct our lives and treat others.
I could reference the network’s achievements in those eight years (revealing my competitive nature) but that might come across somewhat self-promotional (which is never the intention of any of my blogs…). And I could mention 122% increase in revenues, 83% growth in people, and expansion into an additional 40+ countries. But I won’t. Yet I should say that it was another productive and rewarding past 12 months; a period in which I was honoured as “Accounting Leader of the Year”.
But more importantly, I’d like to look back on the spiritual aspects of my eight years - the connections I’ve made (within the network and more widely in the profession), the people I now call friends (in all regions of the world), my personal growth as a human being, and the fantastic times and experiences in so many countries, welcoming me to new cultures, traditions and values.
So thank you to all who have been there in these 8 years!
Bring on Year 9 which, apparently, represents completeness, harmony and perfection; three attributes that would manifest a great result as we battle through challenging times in our profession, and in an ever-increasingly uncertain world.