Reflecting on the past few years, I’m realizing how transformational they’ve been. The past few years have been transformational for all of us, really. None of us are the same person we were before the 2020s.
From inception, my working role has been to break down the various concepts in our vision and breathe life into them through action. Ponder, plan, strategize, design, orchestrate, execute, manage, and track results—and do it all over again—every day, week, month, and quarter.
So much of my work life was consumed by generating the right energy to lead and manage exquisite execution. This time last year I was craving more freedom. Freedom of time, space, and schedule. I wanted to find myself in the middle of more creative control.
I could not think of a better word than CREATE to help me usher in more of what I wanted.
Making Space to Create
I was sitting on a few ideas—small and big—and I wanted more ability to create quiet time, dream time, and journal time.
Truth be told, I was also sitting on a few ideas—let’s call them passion projects—for too many years and recently hit a point where I was finished de-prioritizing them!
What did I do differently to find space to create:
I bought a new journal. Invested in a few new books I had been wanting to read for awhile.
Then, I restructured my day:
1. The Need to Restructure Priorities
For decades I would end my day with me-time. My end of day was devoted to winding down from my busy day. Drinking tea, reading, a hot bath and pillow time with Josh, my hubby. Or, at least, I was supposed to end my day that way.
Truthfully, by the time I ended my day—giving the first of my time and energy to my family and my work—I found myself too tired. And all too often, did not commit to ending my day with me-time.
2. Shifting the Order
So, I shifted the order.
Last year, I carved out time almost every morning to be by myself; giving myself a little space to move and wake up my body, mind, and spirit). I walk, run, listen to a podcast, read, meditate, and listen to my guided viz.
There were some mornings that I accomplished all of it. But, most mornings, I was not able to dedicate 60-90 minutes to complete ALL of the listed and desired items.
Most mornings I would accomplish a couple, and I found that if I was able to dedicate even 15 minutes to one (or a few) of the items, I was coming from an entirely different energy space.
3. Renewed Energy Space
That different energy space then enabled me to feel motivated and inspired to create. I found myself walking through an entirely different door in the morning.
Moving to the blank page did not feel overwhelming. I would take out my journal and jot down an idea or thought.
Some mornings, if I did not have time to open my journal, I found that my mind was so alive to being in create mode that while getting ready, an idea would pop in my head, and I would pull out my iPhone and jot an idea in my notes section.
The Result of Making a Space to Create
As a result, yes, the past few years were transitional and transformational. Choosing a word of the year helped remind me of what I said I wanted.
I love the word FOCUS. I want to become a laser beam, not a light bulb. To carve out time to execute on the ideas, thoughts, and dreams I jotted down in my journal.
This is thanks to a recent conversation with Josh.
He shared a story about how poignant the word focus was in the lives of two icons: Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. I’m entering this year coming from an inspired, goal-setting space.
Focus will help me achieve the optimal time and attention management that I want!
