It’s Your Turn to Graduate
This time of year friends are sharing about all the graduations they are attending. A perfect time to recall our own graduations and reflect on the meaning of ‘graduating’. The dictionary points to completing a course of some sort, yet I prefer to think of it as a beginning.
What I realized is that it’s very similar to how we think about our businesses. Time goes so fast that we rarely stop to consider all we’ve accomplished. Until there’s some reason to pause and do so. Unless we are given a reason to pause, many simply don’t.
It’s another reason why the work I do is important as we take time to stop, reflect and learn from what has transpired rather than rushing into the ‘next’ as us humans tend to do. (Especially the high achievers among us!)
Once we pause we may worry and notice what needs to happen, what we’ve done ‘wrong’, yet how often do we focus on what’s gone ‘right’? Graduation is a time to commemorate the end result of an event, no matter how we got there.
So today, I challenge you to honor yourself. I did this over the weekend and it was quite interesting. There are a few steps:
- Recall what you were like when you graduated from school. (For instance: I was pretty nervous about going to work, then found out I love my work life. I was kind of shy too.)
- Next, think about what happened in the first few years after that. Notice how much you grew, and what you accomplished. (Wow, when I thought about that first decade out of school SO much happened that I would never have imagined!)
- Then consider those same areas during this last chapter you’ve had. Recall any special achievements, or any big occurrence that changed your view of the world or yourself. It’s kind of cool to notice the good stuff, and see how you’ve grown.
- Keep it up til you’ve celebrated all you’ve accomplished in that chapter and go to another. See if you can generate a list of all the amazing things you’ve done. Give yourself some time to really notice the lessons learned too.
Then do the same with your business life, or include that in the above process. For me its quite interwoven, so it all came rushing in like a giant movie.
I was able to see how much I’ve grown, how much I’ve accomplished, and how this journey has actually been a pretty cool ride. The process helped put into context the ‘bad’ stuff and this broader view gave me a deep appreciation for all that’s been. All of it.
So, as you move forward with your business, take time to recall where you’ve been. Pause to focus on what makes you special (that is your brand position after all).
Ask yourself how you can leverage all that you are. Focus on your fabulous-ness. Be the biggest fan you or your business could ever have, and see what happens next.
Your next graduation could be your biggest yet!
Enjoy YOUR Unforgettable Journey!
J.
xoxo
p.s…Have you joined the facebook group yet? Free trainings and tips inside there too… at this link
pss…. If you’re ready to try something new, let’s talk. My purpose in life is to make a difference for business owners and leaders. Are you my next success story?
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J. Winslow
Branding Specialist and Strategic Planner, J. Winslow brings decades of solid experience to each project and leader she interacts with. Clients range from non-profits such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to Madison Avenue Biggies including: Women’s Day Magazine, Cover Girl and Elizabeth Taylor. She also enjoys working with TEDx speakers and students ready to leverage their own brand stories. Learn more here…
