In the holiday season, it’s common to remember holidays of the past: family gatherings, events, or places that you recall. But it’s not just at holiday time. “Circling back” is a way for us to return (in person or in thoughts) to places, people, and things that resonate in our memory and shaped us.

When I think of an old friend, I contact them again, never knowing when the last opportunity will be. I’ve not always done that at the right time. I wrote a song called “Say Goodbye While You Still Can” to remind myself how important it is to do so.

Circling back helps us analyze: “How did we get from there to here? What was the path? What choices did we make, and what happened by chance? What mistakes did we make? What lessons can we learn?” 

​How does this apply to being mayor? Because I also frequently reflect on the 20 months of my political career, analyze what steps I’ve taken, weigh missteps, try to figure out how to be better, and try to increase my little store of wisdom. For example, running board meetings is my responsibility. While perfection by human beings can be a holy grail (are you there yet?), I aim to be the best I can be.

Music involves intense repetition to achieve high accuracy on an instrument. I used to put albums on a turntable and let them cycle over and over repeatedly so that I could rehearse tunes with the experts.

How does this relate to my job at Town Hall? Because one must learn consistency through practice and study. One must make the commitment to accuracy in music and to proper adherence to policy, law, and ordinance in town government. You keep pressing forward even if you play the wrong note from time to time, even if you make a procedural error, even if a health issue forces you off track, even in the face of negativity and virtual rotten tomatoes. Keep on playing, keep on governing, pick up the pieces, and keep learning and communicating.

My musical mother, in the latter part of her life, once said to me, “I don’t feel it anymore.” That was a deep shock to me, though it was also a valuable life lesson. I circle back to that moment to remember to keep stoking that musical fire, don’t let the feeling fade, find that drive, and beat that drum. 

​How does this apply to being mayor? Circling back as mayor helps me fan the flames and keep my drive to serve through the great, the good, the rough, and the really rough patches of this position.

I receive (and give) so much communication. Keeping track of it all requires a disciplined system and regular, planned trips around the communication cycle. With all the emails, texts, calls, and appointments, I comb through my reminders and pending files to make sure I haven’t missed a commitment, a proper reply, or at least an acknowledgment.

I learned “rounding” as a manager a long time ago. It was reinforced in my years at Estes Park Health. In the hospital business — and any business — it’s an especially important part of a doctor’s, nurse’s, or leader’s day, critical to seeing and hearing what’s working well and what’s not working well.

So, if you see me circling around town, I’m rounding for information and communication, touching base with as many as possible to see what’s working well and what’s not.

I will likely circle back on this idea again.