“To move forward on your own path through the doubt and the unknown, you must be forever willing to work hard at what you love, over and over.” —Laura Gassner Otting, “Wonderhell”

Wonderhell: We’ve all experienced it. Anyone who is driven to grow and thrive has found themselves at this crossroads, a concept explored by our #LMA23 keynote speaker Laura Gassner Otting in her recent book of the same name.

From a recent Forbes interview, she explains: “Wonderhell is that feeling when the excitement of your achievement mixes with the burden of your potential. I’m seeing a version of myself that I didn’t know was possible, who opened more doors than I ever thought possible. But through those doors, I now see even more doors that I can open.”

I’m not going to lie, 2023 was my wonderhell. It’s been a great honor to serve as your president. I’ve loved every minute of it. And I couldn’t wait for it to end.

When I joined LMA over 10 years ago, I attended my first annual conference. The fabulous Alycia Sutor was president at the time. I sat dutifully in the front row of the opening session, in awe of her warmth and command. I said to myself, “One day, I hope I get to do that!”

And here we are. Only I added a Lady Gaga showtune and a drag queen to the mix. That’s the kind of amazing community we are.

But with that dream achieved, I was in wonderhell. The pressure to deliver, the fear that I wouldn’t. The worry that some would shake their heads in disappointment.

Roy, get over yourself. That’s what a self-induced panic attack on the last day of #LMA23 taught me.

Being a good leader isn’t about what you do or, worse, what you can brag about. It’s about what others are empowered to do on your brief, ephemeral watch.

And oh, what you all did! 2023 was a return to form for this community — engagement, innovation, collegiality and support. Let’s look back at some highlights:

• Over 1,200 attendees at this year’s annual conference

• Round two of the 21-Day Social Media Challenge

• Continued growth in membership, targeting 4,100 in 2023

• 100+ educational offerings

• Six regional conferences this past fall

• The continued development of additional international outposts, with Australia, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Spain in development

• And the exceptional content here in Strategies & Voices Year in Review

Over a decade ago, your voices inspired me to commit to legal marketing as a career. Your voices are doing that for someone right now reading these words. Your actions, leadership, and dedication keep the mighty engine of this community chugging along.

You, too, will find yourself periodically in wonderhell, daunted by all the possibility that unfurls before you when you achieve some aspiration or milestone. But remember that sometimes the accomplishment is enough, and you can derive as much satisfaction from celebrating the wins of those around you. That in turn will inspire you for whatever magic comes next.