Here’s my truth…
I want to go out and meet new people, experience new things, spend quality time with loved ones, and make a positive impact in my community…while simultaneously staying home alone quietly reading a good book.
Strange? Am I the only one?
I’m closing out Black History Month 2024 with events I didn’t have on my calendar at the beginning of the month.
Tonight, I am attending the book signing of a good friend, award-winning activist, mentor, and first-time author, Mr. Jonathan A. McKinney. Jonathan is also the President and CEO of The Advocacy Factory. Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity joined with the Howard County Library System, the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County, the Howard County Chapter of the NAACP, Columbia Community Care, and the Continental Societies, Inc. Columbia, Maryland Chapter in presenting the author event. You can purchase The Little Black Boy at the book’s website or check out a copy from the Howard County Public Library System. Tomorrow, I am attending “The State of Black Affairs in Howard County”.
At the end of last year, I wanted to go on a multi-state speaking tour traveling almost every month of the year. I’m not so sure about that tour today…who, what, when, where, why, or how. Has this ever happened to you?
I deeply question my professional life almost quarterly. (Not an exaggeration)
Sometimes the questioning is precipitated by an external event, but mostly it’s a very deep dive into how I’m feeling about the work that I’m doing.
• Is this the work I want to continue to do?
• Is this the way I want to continue to do it?
• Is the work allowing me to make the type of impact I want to make?
• What are the benefits I receive from doing the work?
As we prepare for leap day tomorrow, reflect on whether there are professional leaps you want to make.
As we prepare to enter the last month in the first quarter of 2024, ponder what you want the next quarter to represent.
As we prepare to launch into National Social Work Month, ask yourself if the way that you are currently social working is working for you and the impact you want to make on the profession.
If you want to do a social work career deep dive, grab a slot on my calendar.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is committed to career development, professional development, and organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki supports high-performing women of color in social work leadership in developing careers that feed their hearts, minds, and wallets. She has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. Nicki is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. She is a lover of nature, cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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