What will we remember from 2020?
In addition to our individual experiences, most of us will remember the coronavirus pandemic, the November election, and the racial unrest in our country. At the end of this year, we will hear messages about how we can take these experiences, both the good and the bad, and we will be better next year because of them.
When someone tells you there is value in experience, it’s a nice sentiment but it’s only partially true.
Real value comes from evaluated experience. It’s not enough to simply go through something. Instead, we must intentionally take time to look back, reflect, and learn from our experiences in a way that makes us better.
As I look back on 2020, and look ahead to 2021, here are three blogs from this year that reflect specific lessons I learned and want to carry with me into this new year:
Instead of leaning into my people-pleasing tendencies, I want to be more willing to tackle conflict head-on. The different ways a cow and buffalo face a storm remind us that when we face a challenge head on, the consequences are often fewer and the resolution certainly comes more quickly.
2. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
This year has been uncomfortable, but challenges stretch us to grow us as individuals and organizations. There is no flipping the switch back to normal after this year. Instead of lamenting my circumstances, I want to lean in, get better, and get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Small things often communicate something much bigger. In 2021, I want to identify the small things in my personal and professional life that are speaking and make sure they are saying what I want them to say!
I’ve heard it said that when a leader gets better, everybody wins.
You only have a few days left in 2020. As you look forward to 2021, I hope that you’ll work to be better than you were last year.
