Staying Focused

The start of the New Year is exciting–it’s a fresh start, a blank calendar, a new page. For some people, it’s hitting the gym. I am part of this group of people–the New Year, New Work Out folk. Santa brought our two girls a backyard obstacle course and I’m committing myself to be able to scale the rope that will be hanging in between our two very old and (hopefully) very sturdy maple trees. When I watched our girls unwrap that gift I could see their minds spinning, imagining themselves propelling across the trees to make it to the other side. At that moment I knew for sure that I didn’t want to be watching from the ground, looking up, and wondering how it felt to be suspended by your own strength. So, I’m going to work to get myself across those trees..

Some of us may be facing obstacles: a job that doesn’t fit right, unemployment checks not covering the mortgage, or feeling stuck and not knowing how to take the next step. While you watch your LinkedIn Feed ripe with So-and-So’s New Opportunity it’s important to stay focused on who you are and what you contribute to the world around you so that you can stay focused on your next step. Look beyond the job to the ways that you impact your community, friendships, and family. Make a list of these contributions and tuck that list away in a place that you carry with you every day. Becoming intimately familiar with your impact on the world will carry you through uncertainty.

Stick with your plan–even if you are not quite sure what that plan is. Find a goal that resonates with you inside or outside of work and set a small plan to achieve it. I’ll report back at the end of August to see if my plan carried me through the trees. Let’s rally each other to help us achieve what we’ve each set forth…professionally and personally. Here’s to a fantastic year.