The year 2014 was a year of learning, excitement, and revelation. Here are the 5 biggest lessons I learned last year:
1. I really have been hiding my awesomeness.
I am a true introvert. I am not a shy person and not a quiet person either but I do shy away from photos…and videos…and audio recordings, LOL, but I will talk to you for hours about something that interests me. I try to remain humble and never feel the need for public praise but around this time last year I realized that I was truly hiding who I am, what I love, and what I do well. Not in 2015! Get ready for more of me because I am awesome!!
2. I need to be professionally challenged and intellectually stimulated.
My work is never monotonous. In fact, I haven’t done the same thing for 3 days straight in over 15 years but it wasn’t until I made an intentional effort to return to my social work roots that I realized how much I need to be professionally challenged and stimulated. One of the things that I love most about teaching and supervising interns and millennials is that I have to stay abreast of current knowledge and find creative ways to translate that knowledge to others.
3. I must work harder to stay focused.
I am a natural planner and a recovering perfectionist. I am great at creating goals but not always good at keeping my focus on the goal and not the potential obstacles or challenges that may come my way. I was relieved when I realized that I had been focusing on the things that I did not want instead of giving my time and attention to the things that I desired. Why did I feel relief? Because I can’t change what I don’t acknowledge and after the realization I was able to change course. I had to remind myself that, “What you focus on expands”.
4. I have to beware of the busy trap.
I always have some place to go, something to do, someone to call, or something that I want to complete. I have slowed down quite a bit in the last two years and thought I was doing a much better job of self-care. I added new projects to my regular workload and also decided to develop and teach a college course at the same time. Add family and friend quality time, a book club, creating new workshops, networking events, a business retreat, and our 8th Annual Pack A Purse Drive and my fall season was officially hectic. I don’t regret anything that I took on but once I sat still (and exhaustion came for a visit) I realized that I was busy but not always productive. Productivity is a 2015 goal.
5. I possess extremely transferable skills.
Number 5 on the list relates to number 1. I have been teaching my daughter, interns, workshop attendees, clients, and students about transferable skills for years now. I have an array of professional experiences and “specialized knowledge” (I’m reading ‘Think and Grow Rich for Women’). Once I slowed down and gave myself time for introspection and reflection I was able to see how I can be of greater service and do more of what I love. My social work skills are extremely transferable and I will be putting them to use as a Corporate and Collegiate Consultant while continuing to offer career development coaching and training. I’m here to help you #GetToGraduation #GetHired #GetPromoted and #GetInvolved.
New for 2015
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Nicki Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager. She has packaged her Masters of Social Work degree and over 15 years of work experience into Packaged For Success, a training and professional development company. Packaged For Success provides career development coaching to college students and job seekers. Packaged For Success also offers communication and productivity improvement training for employees and supervisors as well as provides consultation on building sustainable, impactful, socially responsible corporate programs.
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