Moving Forward with Purpose and Perspective

With a month left in the year, some might be feeling anxious to get things wrapped up or targets met. Some might even be projecting to next year already and want to get a head start. Whether it’s a weekend or the end of the year we often find ourselves using any “spare” time to catch up or plan ahead. However, let’s consider the concept and practice of rest to give a renewed perspective.

R - reflect
E - evaluate
S - space/sleep
T - time

The seasons indicate the natural rhythm of life, yet we often fight against it. In the winter months the days get shorter, and the weather beckons us to stay in and slow down. Instead of striving to stay on top or meet the next milestone, we might pause and let ourselves breathe. Of course, there are always things that need to be done, and we shouldn’t stop working or meeting our daily requirements and commitments. This is simply to caution to not add in any new projects or initiatives this time of year. We don’t want to crawl to the finish line, but we don’t want to arrive there out of breath either. Don’t you find that the best ideas come about from a place of rest? After you’ve had time and space to step back, take in the big picture and reflect? Rather than hustling through the end of the year and jumping into the new with a splash, might we take a more comfortable and sustainable pace? Still walking, still moving forward, but allowing for margin. It’s in the margin that we can experience spontaneity and wonder. That we can appreciate the accomplishments and growth so far. That we can evaluate and get back on track. That we can participate in the festivities of the season out of gratitude and celebration, rather than obligation and stress.

As thoughts of the coming new year inevitably bring the desire to set goals, perhaps a different approach here is beneficial as well. In this short clip on purpose driven goals, Simon Sinek purports that profit and metrics are not an end in and of themselves. They are the fuel that drives our vehicle (company) and passengers (employees) to our destination. The destination is the purpose, the vision, the hope, the dream, the accomplishment. He suggests that we contextualize profit and metrics. Rather than focusing on dollar figures and annual reports, ask "are we on track to reach our destination?" Don’t put pressure on the onset of the new year to implement new strategies and revolutionize your processes. Not every good thing comes about from a plan. As the winter months slowly unfurl into the new beginnings of spring, allow for a more natural and realistic approach. The most successful habit changes or new behaviors are small tweaks to what you are already doing. Wait until you are coming from a place of rest and recovery to look at where you want to go. May the end of this calendar year bring contentment, hope and peace.