What's your 2020 vision? 👀
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#WednesdayWisdom
"We get so caught up in the “what’s next” that we neglect all that we’ve overcome, all that we’ve achieved, and all that we should be grateful for." — Tamara Renaye
Morning Musings
As we approach the turn of another decade, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the next 10 years. Two years ago, while working with a career coach, she led me through a Future Self visualization exercise. It was sort of like a guided meditation -- one wherein I was invited to visit myself 10 years into the future and have a conversation with Future Me.
I could see her vividly -- about to turn 40, CEO of a nonprofit that helps women and girls, wife and mom to two children, an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl who were diligently doing their homework at the breakfast bar while their dad, my husband, prepared dinner in one of those sweaters Randall wears on This Is Us and a dishcloth draped casually over his shoulder. It was all so clear to me.
Fast forward to present time and that vision is a little hazy. I recently turned 32, am unsure if I still see myself at a nonprofit in eight years and am running a bit behind schedule on the kids front due to an unforeseen infertility diagnosis. Yup, my “plan” is coming along swimmingly -- not!
Recently, I co-facilitated a vision board party for Blooming Crown Co., a wellness center for women of color led by my fabulous hairstylist, Ymani Hanan. During the workshop, I led a small group of women on the same exercise my career coach practiced with me back in 2017. And I invited the women to have a conversation with their Future Self in 2030 … then reflect on what they can do in 2020 to help make that dream a reality.
I’d given this some thought myself in preparation for the party and broke my goals down into categories: spiritual, mental, physical, financial, personal and professional. So by the time we got around to actually making our vision boards, I was ahead of the curve -- or so I thought.
Sixty minutes and a dozen past issues of Essence, O Magazine and Women’s Health magazines later, I still had yet to find a picture of a young Black family for the “personal” portion of my vision board. And that’s when I heard what can only be described as the voice of God: “Leave room. Make space.”
Too often we -- okay, I -- fill our time with people to see and things to do. Busy work, if you will. Our calendars and planners become crowded with appointments and white, or blank, space is impossible to find. Our -- okay, MY -- to-do lists are a mile long and nothing ever really gets to-done.
What I heard God telling me was to leave space for the family I desire, to make way for the blessing He’s about to bring in our lives. I’m so busy making plans and creating vision boards, I forget to make and hold space for those dreams to manifest. It’s almost like -- how can I be trusted with more when I’m not being responsible and mindful of what I’ve already got?
What are your 2020 plans and beyond? How are you making room for them? Hit “reply” and let me know!
Love,
L’Oreal
Happenings
Nov. 20 (TONIGHT): Take the Lead. Learn about people and team management at this new leadership development series. Use the code PAL5 for $5 off.
Nov. 21: Fix My QuickBooks. Are you a small business owner with tax questions? Then this virtual class is for you.
Dec. 13: Flowers Girls Meet: Flowers & Growth. My girl Vanessa Flowers is hosting a fun, free event. Come ready to share how you've grown in 2019!
Links I Love
1. Why we are all losing sleep. It's not just you (and it's not just the time change), we're all tired af -- and work could be to blame.
2. The problem with burnout. My favorite quote in this essay by Ella Dawson: "I’m afraid that there is no cure for burnout. After all, you can’t untoast toast."
3. When doing it for the 'gram takes on a whole new meaning. Learn more about the couple taking fake paparazzi pics -- yes, for real.
#PreBlackFriday Classifieds Sale
Want to get your business and/or event in front of an engaged following of smart, ambitious millennial women? Take advantage of 10% off classifieds until Nov. 30. Learn more here.
My Latest Obsession
The chicken and waffles at Chicken & Farm Shop. That's it. That's the post.
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