With so much of life on hold over the past 18 months, Roberta Matuson* urges people to try a major reset before getting back in the groove.
The past 18 months have been a blur.
While writing my latest book, Can We Talk? Seven Principles for Managing Difficult Conversations at Work, I was also helping clients work through challenges no one has ever faced before.
At the same time, I provided emotional support to our kids, who were in their rooms attending university remotely.
There wasn’t a second where I could think about my needs. I felt like my life was on hold, as I just tried to make it through each day.
No doubt my story feels familiar to many of you.
It wasn’t until I decided it was time to move forward that I could get a part of me back.
Travel fuels my soul. (For you, it may be something different.)
I knew I had to get back into the world if I were to regain my sanity, so I booked a trip to Croatia and Italy with my family — and I’m glad I did.
There were lots of hoops I had to go through to make this trip possible. There were a few moments when I thought: “What am I thinking?”
However, in the end we had a fantastic time and were all able to do a major reset.
I’m back now and no longer feel like I’m merely going through the motions to get through another day.
What have you been putting on hold over the past 18 months?
Have you been dreaming about a career change? Have you been afraid to make a move, given the need for security during the pandemic?
Were you promoted during the pandemic, and you’re now coming up for air, only to realise you could use a sounding board — someone to help guide you as you re-establish your footing?
Or perhaps you’ve been caught off guard with a sudden increase in work and no one to help you. You’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to move forward.
If you’re ready to move forward, here are some questions to help you get started.
What hopes and dreams have I put on hold since the pandemic began?
What one step can I take to move forward?
Do I need help moving forward, or can I do this myself? If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to move forward for several months, then help is most definitely needed.
Do I want my old life back, or am I ready for something new?
Is there anything I need to stop or start doing right away? If not now, when?
Since hitting the reset button, I feel like a new person and am already planning my next trip abroad.
My brain is back in creative mode, and I’m looking at my business with a fresh eye. I’m a better coach and advisor to my clients.
How about you? Are you ready for a reset?
*Roberta Matuson is president of Matuson Consulting which helps Fortune 500 companies and high growth businesses create exceptional workplaces leading to extraordinary results. She can be contacted at [email protected].
This article first appeared on Roberta’s blogsite.
