6 minute read
Finding the Me in Moments How to focus on yourself in a hectic profession
How to put YOU back into focus
by Patti Pawlik-Perales Communications Coordinator Alamo Heights ISD
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As communications leaders, we are always focused on others! Crafting and creating that heartfelt story, connecting this reporter with that great kid, writing, photographing, videotaping, tweeting and posting the stories that share who we are as a school district. Every day, we work to create experiences for our students, our staff and our community that are memorable and meaningful. It is fabulously inspiring. Creative. (And, exhausting.) So how do we keep the momentum and harness the power of the moment for ourselves? We commit to “Finding the Me in Moments.”
I found great life lessons in the book, The Power of Moments, by Chip and Dan Heath.
In the book, the authors explore why certain brief experiences can jolt us and elevate us and change us — and how we can learn to create such extraordinary or “defining” moments in our work and life. A defining moment is a short experience that is both memorable and meaningful. In their research, authors Chip and Dan Heath found that these defining moments were made up of one or more of four elements:
Elevation Defining moments rise above the everyday. Moments of ELEVATON transcend the normal course of events, they are literally extraordinary.
Think A love letter. A ticket stub. A well-worn t-shirt. A haphazardly colored picture or card from your child.
Insight Defining moments rewire our understanding of ourselves or the world. In a few seconds or moments, we realize something that might influence our lives. Think Quotes or articles that moved you. Books that changed your view of the world. Diaries or journals that captured your thoughts.
Pride Defining moments capture us at our best – moments of achievement, moments of courage.
Think Ribbons, report cards, notes of recognition, certificates, thank-yous, awards.
Connection Defining moments are social: weddings, graduations, baptisms, vacations, work triumphs, speeches and sporting events. These moments are strengthened because we share them with others.
Think Wedding photos, vacation pics, family photos, Christmas pics of hideous sweaters. Probably the first thing you would grab if your house caught on fire. I know that each of you knows and realizes the elements at the core of these defining moments. I see it in the work that you do every day. I think about one of my elementary school principals and her staff handing out popsicles at Back-to-School night. I think about one of our fourth-grade teacher’s engaging bird beak lessons, or how our bus drivers dress up for Halloween and decorate their buses for every holiday. What comes to mind for you?
Even amidst the reward of creating these daily defining moments for others, we find ourselves caught up in the logistics. We are racing around, trying to just get it all done. It’s like herding kittens.
We struggle to find work-life balance, feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.
What we truly need is to squeeze in some me time. How do we do that? First, we have to get beyond our personal excuses. Do you make them?
I do.
“I’m so tired.”
“There are just too many other things happening at work or home.”
“There is not enough time in a day!”
Rachel Hollis, author of Girl, Stop Apologizing shares, “The first thing that we must realize is that YOU are in control of your schedule!”
Yes, you, high level communications executive. Yes, you mom or dad of four children. Yes, you, communications newbie with a demanding boss.
“You are in control of your schedule. In fact, there is not one thing on your calendar right now that you didn’t allow to be there. Let that sink in for a second. Being overscheduled? That’s on you. Not eating lunch? You. Spending two hours at night watching TV or scrolling through social media? Also, your choice,” shares Hollis.
Hollis continues, “The question is never, do you have enough time? The question is, how are you using the time you have?” “If you want I see you. You are working towards a something that master’s degree or your APR while working you never had, full-time. You are you have to do trying to squeeze in a workout after working something that a 60-hour week. You are managing a family, you’ve never building a business… and more! done.” How do you find some me time? How do you find the time to do something that sparks joy for you? Something that energizes you or that leads you to your next big thing either personally or professionally?
Hollis asks us to answer this question. What am I
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willing to give up in order to get it?
As you ponder this, add in these two thoughts. These hit home for me.
“If you want something that you never had, you have to do something that you’ve never done.”
“A goal is a dream with its work boots on.”
These were profound for me.
Hollis says, “First, get over the excuse that you don’t have time. Then, reconfigure the time that you do have to achieve the goal you’re after.”
Hollis suggests four steps to achieve this. I particularly love this one.
Make Your Minimum Hours Your Best Hours
Hollis affirms, “You CAN make the time to pursue your goals. And you have to do it now. Why NOW? Because if not now, then when?”
I think of a friend who had all these beautiful dishes that she received as a wedding gift. When I or others would join her and her family for dinner, she would break out all of these mismatched plates and cups. One day, I asked her, “Why are you not using your beautiful china?” She shared, “I’m saving it for a special occasion.”
You do not need to wait for a special moment to occur. You can create that moment for yourself.
We have this running conversation in our heads, don’t we?
Should we eat off the nice wedding china or use paper plates?
Should I dress up for a date night with my spouse or just wear jeans again?
Call my parents?
Write a note to a friend or colleague to tell them how
much I appreciate them?
If not now, then when?
Start planning to make the time. Actually, put it on the calendar.
Oh, and then, safeguard your time.
I think about the words of wisdom shared recently by TSPRA colleague, Melissa Tortorici. “I always feel like I have to constantly check my email in the evenings, late at night, and on the weekends. But I have gotten so much better at putting limits to that after I had an ‘a-ha moment’ at the TSPRA conference. I was asked, ‘How many emergency situations do you have that you are told about in an email?’ Pretty much zero, right? If there is an emergency, someone is going to call. I have gained back more family moments and eliminated some stress just by stopping email checks after 7 p.m. and only once on weekends.”
That’s powering the moment. Reclaiming your time for you. Making the most out of the moments that are specific to you and yours. And in those moments, we take a breath. We live in the moment, truly experience it. And, we find ourselves again. Chip and Dan Heath remind us, “Moments matter. Life and work are full of moments that are ripe for investment.”
Define your moments. Just remember the me.
