Put yourself in focus

Phone cameras added this new feature in the past few years that enables us to do that cool thing real photographers do by putting the subject in focus, while blurring the background. While taking one of my first hikes at the beginning of 2021 I wanted to capture the moment and I took a selfie. The resulting photo inspired me to share with my village this concept that is right in front of us, putting ourselves into focus. Oftentimes we get caught up in doing. Doing our jobs, doing for our boss, doing for our teams, doing for our kids, our parents, our friends...but we don't take the time, or some don't even think, what is good for me? How do I grow professionally? How do I get more healthy? Will this project help me grow? Will this role help me grow?

I, with the support of my family took a very me focused leap of faith 2 years ago. We decided it was my time to take a step for my career. A recruiter from my alma mater's town was calling, a new challenging role had me excited to solve good problems, and I must go.

And we did. For 5 months I lived by myself in a studio apartment with the ability to focus on my work during the week and travel home on the weekends to focus on my family. Now I'm in the season of day to day, solving problems, helping people. Occasionally I will take a some time to focus on me. I got an executive coach, I've asked the questions about where I can start, stop, continue, I joined an executive roundtable, I read. What are you doing for yourself right now to focus on you? or what is your plan to focus on you, today or tomorrow?

Focus isn't easy. It usually means you have to say 'No' to something to take that time. It doesn't have to be as extreme as moving over the mountain to take a new job. [In fact, if you're considering that, we have a few job openings in Blacksburg! But also let me talk to you about the other more personal side of leaving your village.] Have someone that will hold you accountable to center yourself. I recommend a personal board of directors, a village of women you can call on, a mentor in and out of your company, someone that is in the role you want to be in. I don't have all of these, but I'm working on it.

Originally posted on Linkedin