As summer fades to fall, I am grateful for the opportunity to have slowed down over the summer. It wasn't a complete shutdown, as I had thought it would be (see June blog), but it was definitely a slow down. I knew I needed it. Largely because I needed time to recover from a very busy spring. As it turned out I would also need it to prepare for a fall that will be more demanding. After sharing that I will be traveling every week until Thanksgiving, my brother-in-law said to me, "now that you have your own company, couldn't you have planned that a little better?" That made me laugh. I suppose so. But the truth is, I am ready to go again. And all of it, both the personal and professional that is planned for the next 9 weeks is all good, all important, and will all get done.
No doubt there are demands ahead...so this month I'd like to share three things that help me when it all begins to look a little overwhelming:
- Make the plan/prepare to change it. I plan as best as I can and then hold it loosely, knowing that with so many moving parts, something is likely to blow up. To go off plan. And when that does happen (not if) I try to figure out how to use the change for good - invent possibilities out of the breakdown. Maybe even create a better option?! So when plans fall apart I try to see it as an opportunity vs a barrier. An opportunity to learn, to ask for help and to adjust to a better option, quickly.
- Enjoy today. When I think about all that has to get done, it can get overwhelming. For 10 days straight this month, I woke up at 3am in the morning, often unable to get back to sleep. This is not healthy and definitely not what I want. And it was largely because I was living too much in the future in my head and hadn't completely cleared out my emotions about all that has to get done. So I knew what I had to do. Take extra time to journal, pray and get back to focusing on just today. Back to living in the present, not the future. And realize that today I can handle. Today is a gift. Today I want to be present and on purpose.
- Celebrate Yesterday. While I don't want to spend too much time living in the future, I also don't want to spend too much time looking back. Especially if it is looking back with regret and 'what-if" questions. That can be exhausting. So when I do look back I try to focus on celebrating, not second-guessing. Remembering accomplishments. Recalling when the overwhelming demands in the past eventually all worked out. That gives me confidence. That gives me hope. And that strengthens my resolve to stay the course.
So, as I move forward into a full fall, I am ready. I have a good plan in place. I am committed to do my best to enjoy each day as it comes. And as for celebrating yesterday, I am excited to share some feedback from this past summer, when the first ever Women Moving Forward® workshop was held in Omaha, NE. Thanks to the six amazing women who made this possible!
"I will be more confident and productive...amazing workshop...can't wait to continue on my journey."
"I will be a stronger leader...tying things together and faster acknowledgement of when I am stuck or holding myself back..."
"I will have a stronger voice and healthy confrontation..."
"I personally feel rejuvenated...and will be much more present and open to new relationships, exposure and responsibility."
