It's hard to believe that we're already in the 7th month of the year!
2019 has felt like it's slipping away from me quickly. Yet, at the same time, some of the most amazing opportunities have come my way in this year alone. From publishing my first e-book to gaining affiliation with the United Nations through the newly minted nurse-led society - SONSIEL, I have seen a significant area of growth in both my personal and professional goals.
Of course, in the middle of the challenges and hardships, its hard to feel like you're staying afloat. Yet, easy to overlook where progress has actually occurred.
As a Coach and Mentor for Nurses, I often encourage those I have the privilege to support to take an "account" of areas that have improved, as well as areas that may have room for improvement. Quite honestly, I even have to consistently make sure to do this myself - with those I trust - to remind me where I have seen progress when it feels like I am stuck in the "weeds" of life.
So, what does this have to do with fiscal years?
According to investopedia: "Fiscal years are commonly referred to when discussing budgets and are often a convenient period to reference when comparing a government's or a company's financial performance over time" (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fiscalyear.asp). And, although you may not be budgeting, business, or financially savvy, there's merit to evaluating where you are over time - whether in your learning process, self-care goals, business ideas, or whatever you have set before you.
Taking intentional time to pause and get a good view of where you're going - even if you are seeing a lot of positive growth and progress - not only makes sure you are still aligned with your vision, but it also helps you to realistically evaluate whether you are accomplishing the goals you have set for yourself.
And in playing on the theme of fiscal years - I challenge you to review (or create) "statements," vision plans, directions that you can set for yourself at every point in your business, networking, or family decisions, by asking yourself these questions:
1. What I am doing? What am I trying to accomplish? What am I trying to determine? What is the purpose for what I'm doing? What am I trying to achieve? These questions establish your goal, vision, or decision.
2. Why am I doing what I'm doing? Why am I making this decision? Why am I drawn towards this person? Why am I trying to accomplish this task? These questions uncover your purpose or intention (and whether it's good or not).
3. Who (or for whom) am I doing this for? Who will benefit from this decision? Who will be impacted by this change? Who is involved in this decision? These questions will force you to stop and reflect on every individual involved and how you can be most sustainable but also most mindful.
By choosing to apply these self-checks to every major decision in your personal or professional life, it may help you (and me) cut down on the striving, hardship, and crises you face; OR, more importantly HOW you face them.
And, of course, it may not change every situation (or fix every problem), but it will give you clearer perspective of your growth, as well as provide you a space to intentionally consider how you may be influentially visionary the rest of this year, and beyond.
*Portions of this work originally published on LinkedIn, and modified for purposes of this blog*