Do you feel like you are living your best life?
12 years ago, I didn’t.
My kids were getting older.
Time was opening up.
Yet, I was so used to being busy, all I felt was a void.
There is comfort in busy-ness.
For many, including myself, it came from doing things for others.
I’m satisfied when I deliver to leadership or a client at work.
Do something for my children, spouse, or parents. Lean into volunteering in groups I’m part of.
My love language is acts of service. I show others I care by doing things.
So, I take on more. Often more than my fair share.
Ironically, I do this to give others back some time….at the expense of my own.
Back in 2014 this started to change with one shift.
I was provided with a coach at work.
I was fortunate that this was something the company offered me.
What I didn’t know at the time, was how the experience would put me on a personal journey.
One that would continue for many years to come.
The Gift of My Coach
Coaching was provided to help me develop as an executive leader and I’m sure it did that.
However, the experience gave me something much deeper.
The opportunity to reclaim my sense of agency & autonomy.
I slowly started to shift how I had been leading my life.
I realized my role in decisions around my time, the projects I leaned into, and so much more.
As part of the process, I started to plan and felt myself shifting to have more control.
Control of myself…. My time, my energy, my projects, my life.
The Ongoing Process
The work of personal development never ends.
Our lives will always send us twists and turns we didn’t expect.
We will be challenged in ways we can’t yet imagine.
Yet, the toolkit I’ve been building over the last decade gives me comfort that I can make it through.
Agency and autonomy start with our time and expand into our energy, our interests, our goals, and so much more.
Today, I still love a list of projects and doing things that support the people in my life.
I also love to do things I enjoy, just for me.
Finding quiet pockets of time for myself and doing things that make me happy.
This is what I wish for you.
Your Turn
Is there a turning point in your life where you made a pivot?
Do you feel overwhelmed with the busyness of life?
How could you remind yourself of your agency and autonomy today?