I came across a quote recently that I really connected with.

“Life is like a canvas. It begins blank & every day is like another brush stroke. Make your life a masterpiece.”

– Nadhuri

This could be a wonderful way to think about a career.

Imagine how much could be accomplished on a painting each year with intention around the brush strokes that would be added.

The strokes could be projects completed, connections made, books read, classes taken, behaviors changed, and strengths leveraged.

My Story – A Career on the Bookshelf

I always joke that you can see the twists and turns of my career by spending some time on my bookshelf.  You see phases of customer insight, owner loyalty, digital marketing, trends, branding, leadership, coaching, time management, and much more.

Each book represents the brushstrokes I was adding to my career at the time.

I was doing the work, but also learning more about my areas of responsibility.

Combining my Clifton Strengths of Input, Learner, and Ideation, I was always diving in and looking for ways to put a creative twist on my work.

I wonder what could have happened through my career if I had planned more intentional brush strokes in areas like connections and leveraging strengths.

While I can’t go back and be more intentional in the past, starting today this can shape the future.

Your Turn

What do you want your masterpiece to look like?

How do the brush strokes you have applied so far begin to build a foundation?

What color and design do you hope to create this year?

Which actions will start to provide the brush strokes to get you there?