Day 221 of 365 - How to Make Your Mark
Michael Bungay Stanier is a business coach and writer who has a website called Box of Crayons. Great name right? I'm on his email list for his social media posts about ways to do more great work, which is basically his tagline. Periodically, he does little YouTube videos, which are quirky but informative, asking pointed questions. These, as it turns out, are not just related to business teams, but can be considered generally in life.
I made notes of the five questions he asked in a recent video titled How to Make Your Mark. Maybe you would also be interested in considering them for whatever stage of life or role you find yourself in.
1) What are you good at, that excites you and also leaves you energized?
Great question, right? This could apply to someone looking for a potential income stream skill, a volunteer position or a hobby. Essentially, the coaching behind it is that we're more likely to make a memorable impression by doing something that actually feels good to us. There are so many possibilities.
For me, these days I am really enjoying enhancing my practice of Reiki by regular sending of it to others at a distance, and occasionally doing in-person sessions.
2) What's in your shadow? What are you denying about yourself that's part of the whole of you?
Owning up to all the parts makes your life richer.
When I think about these questions in relation to work, volunteering or hobby, what first comes to mind is, that nowadays I prefer working or applying my skills, on my own, or with only a few people at most. The idea of coordinating with a big team of people is no longer a pleasure for me. So, I suppose it's part of my shadow side that I'm becoming more of a loner as I get older. How that plays out for future roles remains to be seen.
3) What's the threshold you are on? Your 'hero's' call? You make your mark when you step into your next adventure.
Well, I'm on the threshold of turning 65 in a few months, and officially becoming a senior. Also, my husband will be retiring from full time work at some point this year. The next adventure will be figuring out how to navigate these milestone life changes to create an enjoyable next phase of life together.
4) Who's on your side - your mentor, your sidekick, your gang who have your back? How could you better ask them for support?
This is another great question, because again, regardless of our stage of life, it is valuable to have mentors when we are navigating changes. Our adult kids have our backs, and any one of them is open to having conversations to bounce around ideas about roles and lifestyle changes. It's a nice bonus of role reversal, to hear advice from your kids. Also, I have friends who are already living their senior years, and who are happy to listen and share.
5) a) What do you need to hold onto? What's precious right now?
For me, I definitely need to hold onto the time and space for daily self-care practices, especially in the morning hours. Taking care of my body, mind and spirit is mandatory.
b) What do you need to let go of? What's weighing you down?
The above being said, I need to let go of the notion that routines and use of space need to remain exactly the same. I'd like to be open to the possibility of renegotiating our apartment spaces to better accommodate two people home together more often, Or, even the possibility at some point, of making another move, trusting that what we need will be provided.
So really, these questions ask us to define ourselves, so it is clear to those we work or live with or alongside, what we have to offer whatever the 'organization' may be. When we are clear, there is better potential for more 'great work' or purposeful activity, which everyone can be satisfied about.
I made notes of the five questions he asked in a recent video titled How to Make Your Mark. Maybe you would also be interested in considering them for whatever stage of life or role you find yourself in.
1) What are you good at, that excites you and also leaves you energized?
Great question, right? This could apply to someone looking for a potential income stream skill, a volunteer position or a hobby. Essentially, the coaching behind it is that we're more likely to make a memorable impression by doing something that actually feels good to us. There are so many possibilities.
For me, these days I am really enjoying enhancing my practice of Reiki by regular sending of it to others at a distance, and occasionally doing in-person sessions.
2) What's in your shadow? What are you denying about yourself that's part of the whole of you?
Owning up to all the parts makes your life richer.
When I think about these questions in relation to work, volunteering or hobby, what first comes to mind is, that nowadays I prefer working or applying my skills, on my own, or with only a few people at most. The idea of coordinating with a big team of people is no longer a pleasure for me. So, I suppose it's part of my shadow side that I'm becoming more of a loner as I get older. How that plays out for future roles remains to be seen.
3) What's the threshold you are on? Your 'hero's' call? You make your mark when you step into your next adventure.
Well, I'm on the threshold of turning 65 in a few months, and officially becoming a senior. Also, my husband will be retiring from full time work at some point this year. The next adventure will be figuring out how to navigate these milestone life changes to create an enjoyable next phase of life together.
4) Who's on your side - your mentor, your sidekick, your gang who have your back? How could you better ask them for support?
This is another great question, because again, regardless of our stage of life, it is valuable to have mentors when we are navigating changes. Our adult kids have our backs, and any one of them is open to having conversations to bounce around ideas about roles and lifestyle changes. It's a nice bonus of role reversal, to hear advice from your kids. Also, I have friends who are already living their senior years, and who are happy to listen and share.
5) a) What do you need to hold onto? What's precious right now?
For me, I definitely need to hold onto the time and space for daily self-care practices, especially in the morning hours. Taking care of my body, mind and spirit is mandatory.
b) What do you need to let go of? What's weighing you down?
The above being said, I need to let go of the notion that routines and use of space need to remain exactly the same. I'd like to be open to the possibility of renegotiating our apartment spaces to better accommodate two people home together more often, Or, even the possibility at some point, of making another move, trusting that what we need will be provided.
So really, these questions ask us to define ourselves, so it is clear to those we work or live with or alongside, what we have to offer whatever the 'organization' may be. When we are clear, there is better potential for more 'great work' or purposeful activity, which everyone can be satisfied about.
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