Last year I made resolutions. It’s not often that we are willing to talk about our resolutions from last year. Why? Because that means accountability and no one likes that word.
2014 was not a good year for me, and I knew that I wanted 2015 to “be my year!” So on New Year’s Eve I set some goals (I’ve been told that resolutions are lame because they usually fizzle out and that instead you should “set goals.”)
These were mine:
1. Invest in professional development – Despite the expense, I’ve wanted to go to PRSA’s Counselors Academy Spring Conference for a decade. And it turned out to be exactly what I needed. The professional experience was excellent and the comradery with old friends was even better. I needed a few days away to soak up my industry, remember why I do what I do and drink wine until midnight with an old friend I haven’t seen in 12 years. I wish I could go every year.
2. Be inspired on a mission trip – I reviewed my work calendar and found a short-term trip in October to Haiti with my church, Life Mission Church. It was an incredible 10 days to an orphanage with 100 children. I will be forever changed. I went on this adventure not knowing a single person in the group and ended with some great friends. How can I and my family be so blessed to have been born in this country? How can I help my children wake up every day knowing how fortunate they are? How can those amazing little children and teens be so lovely when they are suffering? I pray that I can do another trip or take my kids on a trip someday.
As I reflect this New Year’s Eve, I see a few things in my rear view mirror including inspiration for new goals for 2016.
Professionally: I want to continue to emphasize “communication for the good” for my business and my clients. I met a lot of very smart people at the Counselors Academy conference including one who coincidentally was a young woman from Overland Park but who now lives and works in Portland, Oregon at Prichard Communications – specializing in “communication for a better world.” I’m fascinated with that concept for my clients. At MNPR, we have some non-profit clients and work to implement savvy cause marketing campaigns for all of our clients.
Personally, my goal is simple: my family! They believe I’m a work-a-holic. So, I’d like to get better at balance and fun. I’m going to set specific goals for fun. (does that take the fun out of it? I hope not!) Easy things like dinners, movies, date nights, bowling, staycations.
Let’s see if a year from now I’m brave enough to look in the rear view mirror as we embark on 2017!
Happy New Year!
