Have you ever taken a moment to simply sit and reflect on where you currently are in life? Have you thought back to where you were a year, 5 years, 10 years, ago and compare it to where your life is at the moment? I've been doing that a lot lately.
I have been doing that a lot lately. I suppose it is because life is really good for me and my little family right now, and I feel a need to reflect on where I've been, where I am, and what I went through to get here. It's amazing how one moment your options are limited (and suck - at best) but the next moment your options are plentiful (and are fabulous).
Just a few years ago, my business was struggling, Mum was experiencing a serious case of burn out, and Dawn suffered one health problem after another. And not little health problems... We're talking life-threatening health problems. But then a shift happened. Recognizing we weren't getting anywhere continuing on the path we were going, I realized we needed to take small, thoughtful steps toward change.
The first change that needed to happen was Mum needed to retire. Sure, retirement meant less money to pay the bills and she was several years too young for the recognized "retirement age," but what was the point of her stressing out all the time and making herself sick? It was a dramatic change, but a necessary change in my eyes. After Mum retired, I focused on Dawn. I switched one of her doctors, pushed to get her off a medication I knew wasn't helping, and Dawn has been in good health and good spirits since. And because of this change, she is participating in life with gusto. Then came my business... I tweaked a few things, became more aggressive, and started a collaboration with another professional.
Fast forward to the present...
My professional life is booming, while my personal life is fabulous. I work from a home office, get to travel for work (and bring my family along with me), continue to meet fabulous people, and am able to manage my time so I can achieve that rare work/life balance so many people struggle to achieve. There is so much to celebrate... My first book is being released in April, I am doing a lot of traveling this year - including moving to Great Britain for two months - and have expanded my portfolio to support three separate businesses. And in all this, two of my favorite people in the world are happy and continue down the path to healthiness. It's amazing how a few changes can make such a dramatic difference.
Never under-estimate the power of reflecting on what has been and where you currently are because it is only through reflection when you can strategize to make those necessary changes to arrive at where you want to be. Don't neglect those reflective moments and definitely embrace the potential of change.
