Rise Above Rocky Roads the Right Way! Your Actions Reflect Your Authentic Self

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Your actions, attitude and how you impact others remain long after you traverse rocky roads. All of us at some time experience life changes. Some expected. Others are not.

Welcoming life changes invigorate. Then, there are those changes that hurt, sting and in the worst case, devastate.

With the recent pandemic, many are currently experiencing unexpected job changes. Some are personal choices due to child care. Other changes occur from company shifts and reductions.

When significant change occurs, does that define us? Absolutely not! That is, unless we allow it too. While it doesn’t define us, it definitely impacts us.

Consider the bad grade on a test in high school that took your grade for the semester down a notch. Or, when a sad reality of a ‘special’ relationship surfaced. At those moments, our emotions run high. These moments also shape and teach us.

When you look back though, what happens? Sure, we may wince at some of our moments. Some may even bring us to tears. Or, we smile with good memories, self-actualization milestones and our mistakes along the way.

The reality is you’re looking back through your own version of a telephoto lens.

You’re here and you’re thriving.

Rocky Roads & Careers: A Sense of Self

As adults, many of us define a big portion of ourselves by our jobs, careers, salaries, titles, job duties and what we are ‘accountable’ for. Work consumes almost half of our awake time during the week. How can it not be front of mind?

Our careers and opportunity ladders addict us. We feel good about what we do. There’s satisfaction in helping others. When we give and receive positive feedback, constructive conversations, there’s energy. Success and all that goes with it, is sweet. Even the work. The blood, the sweat and the tears.

Then it ends. By your choice or the choice of others. No more conference calls. Back to back meetings are a way of the past. The demand of your time, your work routines, knowledge and perspective? Poof, out the window.

We feel lost. Sometimes even forgotten. But, are we? Heck, no!

Rocky Roads & Change: The Beginning

About a year and a half ago, my current ‘professional’ life shifted. Grateful for a personally rewarding career across multiple industries, it was game on for a new pursuit.

My desired ‘what’s next’ was now in front of me. Just because there was a plan though doesn’t mean that there wasn’t impact.

The Rearview Mirror

Yes, at the time, there’s a sense of loss. Treasured work relationships, routines, contacts, meetings, comfort zones and professional network shifted. Being a resource to others and reaching out to resources changed directions.

There’s also a sense of release too. In every job, career and craft there’s people, tasks and encounters that are easy to let go of.

One fact remains that jobs and circumstances won’t take away. You have knowledge, experience, talent and a network to carry forward.

You’re not starting over. You’re starting something new with a unique past to build upon.

Navigating Rocky Roads – Successfully

In short, life IS sweet.  And there’s a wonderful life after your current career.  I’m so thankful for my time and relationships across the journey.  Yet, they reside and live differently today.

What I’ve seen in others and found personally? There’s so much more to live and work for than your previous’ company’s strategy. If it doesn’t feel like it today, it will soon.

Rocky Roads? Your Choice!

You’re in the position of choosing. How you’ll spend your time. When we’re in the midst of a project, program or even chaos at work, we dream of the gift of personal time.

It’s here waiting for you to use it, your way. Need some reminders?

• Re-read your favorite book. Or start a book-a- week personal project. (Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited Program is a monthly subscription that allows you to read as much as you want, choosing from over 1 million titles and thousands of audiobooks. See their program details for more.)
• Watch a movie, or movies. (We enjoy our movies through Amazon Prime Video)
• Pursue your love of your own artistry. Sing? Dance? Write? Photography? Drawing? Interior design? You never know, this may open up a different ‘career’ for you.
• Cook! (Or learn to) Fire up some awesome meals for you, the family and close friends.
• Commit to an outdoor walking or fitness schedule and do it. Time is no longer an excuse.
• Walk your dog more. Play with your kids and grandkids more. Talk to your partner more. (my husband is not surprised the dog was listed first!)
• Volunteer. Share the gift of your time remotely or in person. Your business knowledge brings value to groups, youth, organizations who’s mission is helping improve others.
• Travel. Can’t leave town? Be a tourist in your own city. Experience your local sites that others travel miles to visit. If you can leave, by all means go!
• Reconnect with a friend or friends. Call a bestie from high school. You’ll make their day and yours too.
• Breathe. We forget that sitting in silence, breathing and just being present in that moment revitalizes.

What’s Next?

Choices and preferences change. It may be another full-on career or a part time gig. You’ll fill more of your time with people you choose to be around. Family, friends and future relationships. Almost equal? Investing time doing the things that enrich your spirit.

When that happens? No alarm clock needed.

For more Monday Motivational blogs: Aperture and Light Quotes