Connecting is a cup filler
For some months now I have been doing temporary things that align with our family goals but not necessarily mine.
It involved putting my professional goals on a much slower trajectory to allow for us as a family, to build the home on the land we worked hard to obtain.
It has meant taking on a role that doesn’t necessarily float my boat and meet my needs but does help us achieve the family goal.
Every experience has a lesson to find, and I have learned a few over this time.
Your people can be found anywhere. No matter their backgrounds, they can still be your people when you find them and share an experience. The people in your workplace can absolutely be the saviour.
Patience. I knew it was going to be a test and development of my patience as I put my families goals before mine for the bigger picture. I knew I wasn’t going to love my role but would learn from it all the same and that required patience. Putting my business into a growth lull has taught me to value opportunities as they come and choose wisely what you can give your all to.
Trust. I have to trust in my purpose for my business as I kept it controlled and not allowed to grow as I want it too. Trust in myself that whilst I took the necessary detour, my purpose would not be swayed.
Acknowledgment of skill. In the role I took on I still use my skills in communicating, listening, empowering and offering solutions. These are valuable in so many spaces and I appreciate that I possess them.
The power of finding the good. Not only have I found the connection with my family as we work towards this goal together a rewarding one, it has been a bonding experience that is still to bear more fruit as we work through the building process.
I am a community person who needs connection and interaction to fill my cup. The lack of connection amongst the community on a regular basis has been difficult and at times left me flat.
Here in lies one of my biggest lessons.
I not only can be too much of a people person for a role, I can also miss being amongst the community as if it is a dripping leak in my cup.
So many events, networking opportunities, voluntary opportunities and social occasions have been missed which in turn leaves me feeling disconnected.
I truly valued my day today, as I represented Committee for Ballarat’s Future Shapers Community leadership program.
The announcement with The Ballarat Foundation and the Bill Wood Family Trust of the inaugural Adrian Ohlsen Award. This meant I could officially acknowledge the gratitude I have as the very first recipient.
To be able to formally meet Bill Wood and Adrian’s wife and family is an honour I will remember for a long time. To know they felt I was a great fit as the first recipient of such a meaningful award was something special I will hold dear.
Following this cup filling morning was a Ballarat Business Women and Commerce Ballarat, Workplace Heroes luncheon. We heard from Carolynne from Healio Care and Justin from Mr. Perfect. I connected with some brilliant women I haven’t seen for a while.
Today I sat in the beautiful sunshine without the Ballarat arctic winter breeze writing all about it and feeling my connected community cup filled to the brim.
We all have many skills that are useful in a variety of settings. Knowing how and where best to use them, is a lesson to find in itself.
