Just One More

In Experience Life Magazine (Jan/Feb 2010) Resolutions Workshop 2010 focuses on taking small bites, actions that don’t take much time but make a big impact.  When you achieve something you set out to, nomatter how small, it builds confidence that you will achieve even more.

So, this year instead of adding “eating healthy” to my goals for the new year (as I seem to do every year), here are some small bites (no pun intended)

  • add one extra fruit to my breakfast
  • add one extra veggie to my pita pizza
  • have veggie soup with my lunch
  • have a fruit smoothie as my midday snack

These small bites are easy to remember and easy to accomplish.  Added up, they will contribute to my intent to eat healthy!

What are your small bites?

Reflection and Planning

Years ago when I began working at a university, the end of the year rolled around and I was asked to complete an annual report – an accounting of all I had achieved, including results of programs I was responsible for.  I panicked – mainly because I didn’t remember!  Yes, I finally finished that first report, but vowed to make it much easier the next time. 

So each month I started recording what I had accomplished, so by the end of the year, I had 12 smaller reports that I now had to synthesize into one.  Much easier!  Doing it this way also helped me see how far I had come each month, instead of waiting until months had passed and I had forgotten.  How quickly we forget what we have achieved – yet that ever present “to do” list is embedded in our minds.  Even with those 12 reports making it easier I always hated writing that annual report – but I always loved having written it.  Seeing in print a years worth of accomplishments was very rewarding and uplifting.

It’s your turn, as you are starting to take action toward your goals for the new year, begin by reviewing the year that just ended and take pride in your achievements!

Experience is Best Teacher

When I was embarking on my career change, I had several ideas for differerent kinds of services I thought I wanted to provide.  Services that, based on my passions and values, seemed like a great fit.

After researching the basics of each, my critical early step was to test the waters by experiencing them for myself.  In one instance I found someone who had the type of business I was considering and spent a day with her helping hands-on with a client project.    In another instance I found two pro bono clients that offered to let me practice what I was learning. 

In both examples, I learned that these two areas were not a good fit… and most importantly, why they were not a good fit.   On paper, each seemed like a great fit.  Once I immersed myself in the actual day-to-day tasks, however, the misalignment became crystal clear.

If you are embarking on your own career change, I encourage you to let experience be your best teacher as well.  Whether a few hours or a few days, trying out a career you are considering can be an important step in your journey.