Taking time for yourself: Managing professional development, self-assessment, and our own expectations
Too often, we find ourselves consistently running the race towards success.
One of the biggest lies that industries tell us is that if we push ourselves hard enough, success is inevitable.
Drive and motivation are very valuable and admirable. However, many times it is not the effort you put in, but how you navigate the landscape of success and promotion, which (many times) has absolutely nothing to do with you.
The structure, goals, ethics and politics of a company often rule that hierarchy. This can cause a severe amount of burnout for an individual - especially a first generation professional - who is trying to prove themselves and succeed within their business or profession.
Set your own intentions
Stepping into the post-collegiate world, I personally wish that someone would have told me that I should take intentional time for myself from day one. I do not mean you should go and get a massage every two or three months, or take an evening to binge watch a show (although those are two great options for self-care, if feasible for you). I am talking about intentional, weekly check-in‘s with yourself without other people around.
A weekly self-review routine allows for a time to reflect, assess, and strategize on a consistent basis. Long-term goal planning tools such as a mood board, or a written five-year plan, are often recommended as you begin your career development. However, people forget that the week-to-week acknowledgment of intentions, goals, and objectives is equally important in your path to success.
It is great to plan for the future - don’t get me wrong. But living in the present, or at least the week in which you are living, is just as valuable to your big-picture goals
And it’s FREE.
In summary, if you fail to see the small things in front of you, they will trip you up when running towards the big things ahead of you. It’s ok to be driven, motivated, and focused towards your big picture. Just remember to apply those attributes to all sizes of tasks that lay on your path.
Margaret Nedow is an award-winning interior designer with LaMacchia Group (Milwaukee, WI) and the esteemed Vice President of First Generation Professionals of Milwaukee, Inc.. Find Margaret on LinkedIn.
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