Challenging your growth as a professional
As professionals, we continuously seek ways to improve ourselves, to stretch ourselves, to hone our skills. We read books, take classes, work with mentors and coaches. We dedicate hours and much of our resources to improving our skills. Yet as we do this, we become singularly focused, we forget the need to stimulate other areas of our brains, to become well-rounded people, and not just a strong professional.
One of the secrets of successful professionals is their curiosity about many things, their continual learning with no clear focus, and their ability to have an interest in many things. Rather than placing all their energy in one area, becoming an expert in one area, they stretch their minds, they follow their curiosity, and learn many things. Oddly enough, these are often the people who are the most interesting, who make small talk with anyone and seamlessly fit into any crowd.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I felt overwhelmed and as if I had hit a brick wall. Prepping for the next steps, a way to keep my company viable during uncertain times, I decided to branch into live videos, online classes, and producing short 1-page articles with eBay to read tools and tops. I was confident in my ability to write classes, teach, and produce papers. I was less than confident in my ability to teach online, produce quality live videos, and give my online classes the special thought I give my live classes. The daily stress to learn new skills left me exhausted and emotional, yet I persevered. Ensuring the destiny of my company was my priority, and well, business owners often have to do things they don’t want to do. It’s just part of the territory.
As my mind swirled with the new knowledge, and my body slowly caught up to me, I realized I was capable of far more than I had ever dreamed, and so I kept pushing. As I became stir crazy, anxious, and filled with energy I looked for ways to channel those feelings into something constructive. I redid Beachbody workouts, I walked, I stretched, but it still wasn’t enough. That is when my daughter and I discovered boxing. The first class almost killed me, the second came close. But as my daughter’s interest peaked, I kept going, and soon was hooked myself. The challenge of learning something new, something so different from my normal work, motivated me, kept my mind sharp, and gave me a new perspective. Business negotiations and meetings with new clients took on a new form.
As I reveled in the unexpected results of my new hobby, the weather turned and time outside was no longer an option. I needed another hobby, something to fill the time I normally spend outside. I found it in punch needle embroidery. A classic art, I quickly came to love the soothing rhythm of the needle. As I settled in for a long, cold winter, I embraced embroidery and filled the otherwise empty time. The attention to detail required to ensure a pattern is followed correctly forced me to start looking at challenges in the world differently. I began to see the subtle shifts in color, the slight difference in wording, the way a shadow sometimes highlighted the true issue.
For me developing skills outside my professional arena has improved my professional work. I feel balanced, centered, and more alive. My stress levels have dropped, I am able to focus for longer periods and the new perspectives are priceless. Find a new skill to pursue. Be creative, develop a different part of your brain. I promise you will love the results, both in your personal and professional lives.
Sincerely,
Sara
