In 2019, I never imagined I’d be creating a 2020 Thanksgiving Gratitude blog post during a global pandemic. However, this is a very different year for all of us. And so is this blog post.
Because the reality of 2020 is that all of us are wrestling with two sentiments: what we are grateful for in addition to a profound sense of loss. Especially as I continue to offer my condolences to friends, colleagues and clients who lost loved ones during 2020.
To me, 2020 represents one gigantic paradigm shift in just about everything I do today, tomorrow and moving forward.
How are you feeling? What are you wrestling with?
I’ve had to (sometimes involuntarily) re-evaluate what I’ve focused on, yesterday and today. And thus, re-focus on those priorities which always are core to my professional purpose and values. In re-centering myself, I gain hope as I move towards what tomorrow holds for us all.
As I reflect, I offer three thanksgiving gratitude 2020 paradigm shifts for you. What are your own paradigm shifts? Contact me here. Share your insights.
First 2020 Thanksgiving Gratitude Paradigm Shift.
Before I begin each day, I take a one millimeter moment to ask myself what I am grateful for. Then I prioritize the importance of “what I think I have to do” that day versus “what I really need to do.” As a result, I eliminate noise and clutter that greets me in my Inbox and daily activities. Instead, I evaluate relative to how each activity moves me one millimeter forward so I can better serve each of you. So you, consequently, can better serve your own colleagues and clients.
How do you start your day? Are you able to make the time to take a one millimeter moment and center yourself before starting your daily journey?
Second 2020 Thanksgiving Gratitude Paradigm Shift.
Next, I re-prioritize the activities I absolutely need to complete by end of day. Otherwise, I focus on what is easier to accomplish rather than those difficult activities which catalyze my continuous professional innovation. As a result, I identify activities involving the greatest professional risks, work, opportunities and rewards. Otherwise, I get side-tracked by bright-shiny distractions which are symptoms of FOMO syndrome (fear of missing out).
Sometimes, my best response to FOMO “coulda”, “shoulda”, “woulda” is to say “no.” And move onward and upward. Sound familiar?
Third 2020 Thanksgiving Gratitude Paradigm Shift.
Finally, it’s undeniable that the stress of 2020 takes a toll on all of our energy levels. As a result, I choose to reduce the scope of my project focus. Instead I target making smaller changes which add up over time to have a bigger professional impact moving forward.
Thus, my message of 2020 thanksgiving gratitude to all of you is about slowing down. And not worrying about making up for “lost time.” Or what other people tell you that you should be doing. The time you gain by slowing down, taking a professional pause, generates “found time” moving forward.
How has your own professional purpose been impacted by 2020? And what can you leverage, moving forward, to become a purpose-driven, trust-based cross-functional leader?
Looking for a 1:1 coach? How will you leverage your pandemic stories to lead, acquire and retain colleagues and clients? Engage me to present a One Millimeter Mindset ™ program! Delivered virtually or in-person. Contact me here.
I am a refreshingly extroverted STEM professional and left-brain thinker specializing in professional innovation, cross-functional leadership and client retention. I catalyze professionals to translate across communication and collaboration disconnects. Become more professionally visible, cross-functionally relevant and strategically valuable to your organizations. Better serve each other first so you better serve your clients together. One millimeter at a time. My One Millimeter Mindset™ virtual and in-person speaking programs leverage Voice of the Customer design methodology and storytelling to move individuals, teams, departments and organizations one millimeter beyond yesterday’s tools and today’s professional comfort zones My playbook of cross-functional collaboration, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com. Contact me here.
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