Here are some of the best strategies I’ve explored for dealing with the constant changes that life throws my way. I hope you enjoy this blog, and if you did – let me know!

Strategy #1: Follow your true interests

Always explore what interests you and be shameless about it. There’s nothing wrong with drawing a line in the sand and being clear about what it is that makes your brain spark. We all have such different interests and that’s what makes us each unique. Some of us like to learn through reading, others through networking and attending events, others through statistics and academic research. Find your methods and your topics and the rest will come together and evolve over time.

 

Strategy #2: Carve out time to build clarity

When things are too busy and my energy is depleted I know it’s time for me to check in to see what is making me happy and what’s not. When we neglect time to reflect, we often forget what drives us and ultimately what we’re on this planet to do.  Don’t do it. Take time for yourself and make some ‘me time’ a priority. Put this in your calendar and treat it as a meeting like any other. Honour your commitment to yourself and create more peace of mind.

Avoid the pitfalls of leading a life in the fast-lane

Often, this twenty-first century life makes it easier for us to forget how we got to where we are today. The ping of texts coming into a mobile device, flights to catch, a bluetooth device searching for a connection, and an endless inbox of flagged emails and notifications leaves us feeling at a loss at the end of each day. Long commutes and sitting at a desk are proven to be harmful to our health. Meanwhile, with ADD and anxiety diagnoses on the rise, the pressure of a fast-paced life really affects us. When we focus on achieving a stream of never-ending goals and put one step in front of another to get by, we reach our KPIs, but we fail to do the things we love. We barely squeeze in time for family and friends. All of this said, it’s quite easy to de-prioritize one’s reflection time — and that’s a rookie mistake I continually remind myself of.

Strategy #3: Discover your true purpose

When individuals understand their purpose and their own underlying mission or vision that makes them do what they do, everything else just feels right and it all makes sense. Although our career paths are not linear, and the journey to success is long and winding, things eventually start to take shape when you can write your own narrative from a place of empowerment.

Strategy #4: Build your own brand

Never stop communicating who you are and why you do what you do. You are the master of your own brand and your own CMO. There are many excellent questions to challenge yourself with. Ask yourself these important questions, seek to answer them, and ultimately hold yourself accountable for the results and picking a strategic direction:

• Are you representing yourself in a way that’s aligned with your long-term goals?
• How can you enhance your reputation?
• What work or associations can you be a part of, in order to contribute and give-back?
• What activities and work are you involved in that will build your reputation in a way that supports you to achieve the kind of success you envision?
• Who are your biggest supporters and how can you partner effectively with them?
• What opportunities will you leverage to share your unique knowledge, skills and wisdom?

Strategy #5: Support others along the way

Don’t forget who helped you in your journey. Your family and friends. Old bosses and colleagues. It’s all interconnected and our experiences to date are what we leverage in the present moment as a mental model of what we can do, and who we can evolve to be, in the future.

Stay in contact with those who have helped you along the way: friends and allies. Support your team members and nurture high-potential talent within your company.

As one quote from Wilson Mizner, an American playwright, raconteur, and entrepreneur, goes: “Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.”

This quote is a nice reminder to us to stay humble and treat everyone with respect and kindness, irrespective of their role, age, ethnicity, gender or life circumstance.

We owe it to each other to be supportive and create a growth-oriented culture, where individuals can thrive in diverse team settings.