Choosing Your Goodbyes
When COVID hit, the 2019 PIRATE Summit might have been the last one. I decided for it to come back and make it a deliberate finale, a "Last Burn". That experience taught me a lot.
This weekend, a friend called me.
He will close down his community-driven company and was pondering how to do it.
That got me thinking about why I decided to close down PIRATE Summit in 2023 like I did.
Before I share my thoughts, here is how PIRATE Summit lives on (just a bit) and how you can be part of it.
🏴☠️
On September 5th, PIRATE Night is happening.
This isn’t PIRATE Summit reborn. It's something different, carrying the embers of what made it special. Think of it as the warm glow when the fire dies down. A moment to reunite the PIRATE Summit community.
We are working on making it memorable and magical. There is a good chance there will be fire. 🔥🔥🔥
Get your ticket, before the price increases!
🏴☠️
You’re the captain
Being an entrepreneur means having a certain agency over what you're doing, just as a captain has control over their vessel's course.
You're in charge, navigating through both calm and stormy seas.
You get to decide which ports to visit and when to change direction.
Unhappy with how things are going? Change it. Nobody else will do it for you.
The COVID-19 pandemic almost brought an involuntary end to PIRATE Summit.
For a while, it looked like that 2019 summit might've been our last hurrah without us even knowing it.
Luckily, we managed to come back in 2022.
When I decided to do one final PIRATE Summit - one Last Burn - I wanted to do it my way.
That experience taught me a lot about the power of choosing your goodbyes.
A well-orchestrated finale
There's a certain magic in a well-orchestrated finale.
It's like the final episode of your favorite TV show – you know it's coming, so you savor every moment.
With the Last Burn, the announcement itself became an event.
Suddenly, I was reconnecting with people I hadn't talked to in ages.
There was this buzz in the air – a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and anticipation.
When the day finally came, wow. It was unforgettable. Certainly for me.
There was an appreciation for the journey, a touch of nostalgia for what was coming to a close, and a heightened sense of being present.
Everyone seemed acutely aware that this was a special occasion, a last hurrah to be savored.
Conversations were richer, connections stronger, and the shared experience etched itself deeply in our memories. Every moment felt precious.
It wasn't just an event but a heartfelt goodbye. A celebration of everything we'd built together.
For me, the Last Burn was a highlight in my life I won’t forget.
I knew this last one was the closing of a huge chapter in my life.
And that’s how I approached it.
The impact of choosing your "Last Times"
The Last Burn wasn't just special because it was the end; it was special because I chose it to be.
And there is a valuable lesson here: there's power in deliberately choosing your "last times".
It can be used strategically in business to turn a sad moment into a positive one.
Here's what I mean:
It makes you present: When we know something is ending, our minds sharpen. We notice the little things we might've missed before.
It brings people together: A chosen goodbye isn't a solitary act. By announcing our intention to step away, we invite others to share in the experience. This creates a sense of shared significance, a collective awareness that we're witnessing something special. This, in turn, fosters deeper connections and a more meaningful experience for everyone involved. It's like saying, "Hey, let's make this one count."
It gives you closure: Life is messy, and endings are rarely clean. Choosing our goodbyes allows us to create a sense of closure, a bookend on a chapter in our story. This closure can be incredibly freeing, allowing us to move on with peace and satisfaction, rather than lingering doubts or regrets. It lets us wrap things up on our terms.
It leaves a mark: A well-planned goodbye becomes more than just an ending. It's an opportunity to reflect on our impact and leave a lasting impression.
Good things deserve a good ending
Don’t just let good things end. Especially, when more people are involved.
Choose your goodbyes. Make them count.
Whether it's leaving a job, moving to a new city, or ending a project – there is value in taking control of the narrative.
By announcing our goodbyes with intention, we imbue them with special significance.
The awareness of finality sharpens our focus, allows us to savor the experience more fully, and creates a shared memory that transcends the ordinary.
While the act of saying goodbye is important, it's not just about the farewell itself.
The real power lies in creating a moment that matters – an experience that resonates long after the actual goodbye.
When you do that, the last time may just become the best time.
The one time that sticks with you for the rest of your life.
I am happy I got to choose mine.
🙏
Be kind.
Manuel