The year of 2014 has been no different in terms of my continued learning both professionally and personally with seven of those lessons which I will through to 2015 and beyond. Here are my top 7 lessons which I’ve learnt this year:
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Social Media
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles
The way organisations, Board,CEO and colleagues have embraced social media has been a game changer for many personally and professionally with some pitfalls! Social media has enabled me to personally develop new skill sets with a refreshed approach to how I personally reach out to my colleagues, friends, family and potential clients. With the speed of information and technology, the way we currently reach out to people will be different come 2015. Its been good to get ahead of the game and continually develop these skills. Stay ahead.
2 Know when its time to go.
Image courtesy of Simon Howden
I have associated a frog for my second life lesson. The ‘Boiled frog syndrome’ is a story which illustrates many points and in my second lesson it has highlighted many things personally and professionally. In essence the story goes like this, a live frog is placed in a pan of boiling water and invariably feels the heat and jumps out. On the other hand the live frog is placed in cool water and very slowly over time, the heat is turned up and the the frog dies. I have learnt to be aware of continual changes and to be strategically aware organisationally how such changes could impact on your role. Being adaptable is a good leverage to develop- nothing stays the same.
3 Work sustains life – it shouldn’t replace it
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles
My third lesson this year has been to sustain a structured work life balance. Employees have diverse needs. An organisation which recognises the flexible needs of its staff and being aware of the benefits to the overall health and well-being of its company is a good company to belong.
4 Know your own value
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles
This year I came across a number of quotes but two in particular resonated with me and sum up my 4th life lesson for this year linked with knowing ones value:
“A diamond doesn’t start out polished and shining. It once was nothing special, but with enough pressure and time, becomes spectacular. I’m that diamond.” Solange Nicole
“Every job from the heart is, ultimately, of equal value. The nurse injects the syringe; the writer slides the pen; the farmer plows the dirt; the comedian draws the laughter. Monetary income is the perfect deceiver of a man’s true worth.” Criss Jami
5. Be courageous
There has been some remarkable men and women who in this year have demonstrated great courage for many reasons and which couldn’t mention all of them. I have felt inspired by such people and therefore my 5th lesson this year has been to continue to be courageous and make a difference in my own little way.
Never shy away from opportunity and wholehearted living. Never be fearful of putting yourself out there. The courageous may encounter many disappointments, experience profound disillusionment, gather many wounds; but cherish your scars for they are the proud emblems of a truly phenomenal life. The fearful, cautious, cynical and self-repressed do not live at all. And that is simply no way to be in this world.” Anthon St. Maarte
6. Vision
Maintaining a personal vision and checking in with myself often throughout the year has been a useful lesson I will take into 2015
“The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. VISION will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to achieve excellence. Only VISION allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. VISION has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our VISION is what we become in life. ” Tony Dungy
7 The single Story
For many years I have acutely aware that everyone is unique and has their own story. Watching the You Tube clip below the uniqueness of everyone became even more apparent.
7 lessons which I will take with me into 2015. What lessons have you learnt this year? What will you take into 2015?
About Beverley Powell
Beverley Powell is a UK certified Life Coach and Educator and national award winner by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) 2014 as a BME Pioneer for her work around strategic inclusion within the National Health Service(NHS). and also by NHS Employers 2014 for work on strategically embedding Diversity through the workforce.
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All images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net