Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
One of my favorite bloggers is Chris Brogan. I subscribe to his e-newsletter and try to keep up with his blog posts. He also wrote one of my favorite social media books Trust Agents, with Julien Smith.
Today, I received an email from Chris that I found inspiring at this time of year and it simply planted three little words in my subconscious. His message was, find three words that you can connect with in the coming year—-three words that sum up how you will focus in the coming year. After about half an hour of thought and coming back to the email a few times, I chose my three words: Balance, Believe, Celebrate.
Balance
This is something I’ve been aware of and working on in the past six months. As my book, Social Media for Veterinary Professionals has taken off, my work-life balance seems to have gotten a little off-kilter. Some months are great with maybe one week of travel, while others have consumed most of my time in traveling from one coast to another, with little time at home. In July, I really started focusing on getting more balance in my life, limiting my travel schedule to one or two trips a month (don’t ask me about April 2012, though! It got a little ahead of me).
As an added twist to finding balance, I also moved my art studio to a commercial location down the street from my home. Getting my artistic work space out of my home was crucial to carving out time for myself. My spare bedroom was bursting at the seams with supplies and equipment, with not a single 2-foot space to work at when I had the time. Now, I have 450-square-feet of paradise at Encaustication! The key in the coming year for me will be balance.
Believe
This word speaks to my heart because in the past ten years I have found myself evolving from a glass-half-empty person into a glass-half-full person. I believe this is a direct result of moving myself and my family to Indiana and embracing an environment that I found to be full of positive energy. This is where I work each and every day—Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center! We’ve all been rocked by the economy, the state of our government, and world events in the past five years. I need to keep my positive energy flowing, because others are counting on me to lead. Therefore, I need to believe that the world is not ending, the sky is not falling, and people will wake up and find their humanity once again. I believe in making a difference. Do you?
Celebrate
The coming year brings many reasons to celebrate for me and my family. My only child will turn 18, she will graduate high school, and she will begin her college education! As the mother of an only child, I need to remember these are moments to celebrate, despite that knot in my stomach at the thought of my little one reaching these milestones and leaving my nest. I also need to look forward to all the great things to come in our lives at home, and at the practice and always remember to celebrate the little things in life. We all have so much to be thankful for—our health, our families, our careers. Business might be off for some, but I always look at that as an opportunity! Let’s re-set, lay down some goals, work hard and then we can celebrate when we make a difference.
What are your three words?
December 27th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Thanks for sharing your 3 words for 2012 Brenda – it looks like you’ll have a great year ahead of you
Now I need to think of my 3 words, although I think I might need to borrow one of yours – believe! Have a great 2012!
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:25 am
Though provoking blog. Thanks:)
January 7th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Brenda: As usual, you are an inpiration. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope to see you again this year!
February 13th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Thanks for your post. Those 3 words are indeed very powerful if we put them into daily use. Sometimes it is so hard to do that. I might add 1 more if I may be so bold — Rest. I find that I can be so much more positive and productive when I make sure that I am getting enough rest. Being rested makes life so much smoother! Take care.
Scott