Yesterday was the 21st December 2007…the shortest day of the year and (because I really don’t like winter) which I affectionately refer to as the first day of next summer. I mean, if we just focus on the spring or even the hot summer and yes, even autumn, the cold winter will just wizz by in an instant. Try it…

And coupled with this is obviously the fact that all eyes are on the celebrations of next week…yes, it’s Christmas, the time of the year most of us really wish we could just crawl under a heavy stone and resurface sometime on the 31st December…ah a great day…my birthday by the way ☺…in time to welcome in the New Year.And it’s the time of the year we are all looking forward to change, making new resolutions, putting behind us the ills of the past year or repeating the success of the last. In any case, it’s the time of the year we should all be absolutely inspired. It is said that if we are able to think positively, then positive things will come to us.

So, for 2008 the buzz word is POSITIVITY. We don’t have to look far for inspiration. There is a revolution going on before our very eyes. It’s therefore just a question of where we want to be.

Probably the single most important happening of 2008 will be the election of a new President of the USA. After 8 very long and hard years of turmoil and missed opportunities, a new leader will be born. As I really cannot see the Americans going for another Republican, we will have either the first Black President or the first Woman President. My vote will go for Hilary Clinton, although I would not be at all disturbed should Barack Obama get the nod. I do, however, believe that having a woman in the White House could bring a new and a the more radical change and with her experience would serve us well. So, be prepared for change in any event…..

Technologically, we are wittnessing the biggest change ever. The Internet, as was expected, continue to dominate our lives, whether we want it or not (with £13 billion sold on the Internet in the run up to Christmas in the UK…). I feel there is a generation in movement that is (has) already transformed and empowered us beyond our wildest imagination. Yes, we are having difficulty keeping up with this change, although we do understand that it’s better (I think…). OK maybe some things are moving faster than we want… I mean, I heard on Sky news the other day that the CD (you remember, the thing that only (was it) yesterday replaced vinyl and was supposed to be the “future”, will soon be phased out, being replaced by “downloads”. Can you imagine. How I miss the record sleeve…gone forever.

Ipod, Iphone, YouTube, MySpace…yes, you get it…it’s all about YOU and ME. But hey, this is all in the name of Social Networks… sharing… so why not YourTube and OurSpace. What I don’t like to feel about this new wave, trend maybe, is that we are going back to the YUPPIE era where everything was ME, ME, ME… people are sharing, I guess and that can only be positive…

Anyway, for me, 2008 will be a great year. Why? Well, I think after the last 7 years in Portugal, spent mostly resolving bad decisions (a direct result of bureaucratic intransigence) I am going beyond this. There is just too much to do and I really can’t wait for people anymore.

We are in the era of selling ideas and knowhow and this is exactly what I shall be concentrating on. By using the Internet, I hope to make this leap forward. It’s the proverbial coffee shop, selling something that people want for a small amount and keeping it flowing. The people I shall count on will have to be on this wavelength and available.

Everything will be focused on the Environment. For me, this is how the Construction Industry directly affects the Environment. I am looking forward to the 1st January and www.SustainableConstruction.eu and www.ConstruçãoSustentável.pt

Share This