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A New Decade, A New Approach

by Beth on January 16th, 2020

This is the first decade of my adult life that I have begun without having major life goals. I graduated from college in 1990 and dedicated the next 10 years to getting my PhD and starting my family. The following two decades I was hyper focused on my children and my career. In the 2000s I published articles, earned tenure, and edited a journal to advance my academic career. In the 2010s I shifted to teaching leaders and individuals how to build well-being to thrive. My goal was to share the power of positivity and purpose by starting a blog, writing a book, teaching leadership seminars, and giving speeches to diverse groups.

As I start this new decade, my children are now in college and graduate school and I have achieved my biggest career goals. So what now? Instead of focusing on want I want to achieve, I will focus on who I want to be. My goal for the next decade is to become a healthier, more generous person.

I sometimes choose a word for the new year and this year my word is “open”. I will be open to opportunities to be of service, to make a difference, to be my best self. Rather than focusing on specific goals, I will be open to what is needed. Instead of having a concrete plan, I will be open to what comes my way.

I know I will continue to write and give talks, because learning and sharing what I learn with others brings such happiness and meaning to my life. I am grateful to be back at my alma mater. The new relationships I’m building and the many opportunities I have to serve the Georgia Tech community are also a source of great joy.

For an obsessive planner who doesn’t like ambiguity, this is new for me. But so far so good! I am experiencing both curiosity and excitement to see what this next decade will bring. I will embrace moments that allow me to be more kind, helpful, and compassionate. I will make choices that help me to be more healthy, mindful, and grateful. What about you? Who do you want to be?

From → Personal Growth

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