As I look ahead to 2023, I’m pausing to reflect on the lessons and blessings of 2022. Life has been great, as I move through delivering two coaching programs to diverse leaders at the largest Canadian bank. Doing exactly what I have always wanted to do – to have an impact on diverse leaders (women and ethnic minorities) high potential leaders.
But you know what happened? I crashed.
I felt overwhelmed as I added the extra stress of not making an error. Yes, this can look like perfectionism but truly it is living in a heightened state of less room to make a mistake.
This is my story, as it is that of many other women of culture.
On a personal level
Our daughter was getting married. We were hosting all our family, siblings, nieces/nephews, and partners. A wonderful big family event. And that brought on the need to ‘do it right’. Making it unique for her, having my family connect for the first time in 3 years, and making it special for all.
Lastly, supporting my husband who was making a career change after seven years, which was all good but still an emotional change.
The impact of all that was that I found myself at my lowest – which for me shows up as being more in my head, moving less and eating more. A spiral pattern of not feeling good about myself.
At my lowest, this is what my coach said to me….
“Be active in living a created life.” Boom!
I was reacting to life and not creating it. I know AND coach on this to other leaders. How could I have missed this?
As women of culture, we encounter many landmines. For me there were two main ones:
- Not allowing myself to mess up or make errors
- Taking on excess responsibility for family
Luckily (and thanks to my coach), my wisdom would remind me to engage actively in having a created life.
So how have I ended the year?
My created life now includes making healthy choices:
- Owning my truth
- Sharing with others how I’m doing, how I’m really doing such as struggles
- I needed to have a physical change of scenery as my structures ran deep
- I liked having things done so well that everyone commented on it
2. Check to see what old stories I’m holding onto and releasing with kindness
- Do I need to be the only one responsible for the family?
- What does success look like for me? And the client?
- How is my body? What is it telling me?
The second half of 2022 looked very different
I created space and was able to travel and work virtually for an extended period. This brought back my love of being curious, I lifted myself up to see more of the world which energizes me. I was also able to start sharing more of what was going on within instead of bottling it up.
One truth I now hold is, the more I slow down the more I achieve. 2022 has given me the gift to learn more about building a created life. I’m happy to say with the learning from last year I am excited for 2023.
Wishing you a created 2023!
