How do you introduce yourself without any mention of your job title, position in the workplace, and role in relationships?

It isn’t easy.

Tell me, do you set New Year resolutions? Nearly 60% of younger adults, age 18-34, do. And, although only 19% of adults 55 and older set resolutions, I do too.

“In the midst of winder, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.  And that makes me happy.  For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger— something better, pushing right back.” ~Albert Camus.

It’s winter here in New Hampshire.

Winter, the season of rest, restoration and reflection. I’m looking forward to enjoying all of those things.

Tell me, do you have the ability to laugh at yourself? What inspires you to do so?

If you need inspiration, I highly recommend finding a less-than-ideal photo of yourself and giving yourself a mustache.

Lessons and teachers show up when we least expect them, often masqueraded as challenging individuals and situations.

“I just want someone else to make the decision for me.” he said, revealing a mix of self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty.

“You can’t move into another job in the company.” he said directly. “We won’t let you. You are too valuable doing the job you do now for us to let you do something else.”

I didn’t feel valuable. I felt powerless.

I felt stuck.

I had become a woman who did not voice her opinion, especially if it was contrary to others. It was so much easier that way. Until, after being home with babies for a few years, I went back to work full-time.

At work, I voiced my opinions, made authoritative decisions, negotiated solutions, and resolved conflicts.

At work, my opinion was valued and respected as was my confidence and authority. By men. And women.

And it felt good.

One of the patterns I’ve struggled with over the years is my evening routine.

It is a routine that involves a big, comfy chair, a television, a glass of wine or two, and more often than not, scrolling social media.

“Each person is born with an unencumbered spot - free of expectation and regret, free of ambition and embarrassment, free of fear and worry…” ~ Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening.

This photo of me, which brought tears to my eyes in the not-so-distant past, is what I imagine that unencumbered spot in me looks like.

Have you ever found yourself wondering how you got to where you are?

I don’t mean when you have a million things on your mind and don’t even notice when you drive by the exit you meant to take on the highway.

I mean when you realize that you have forgotten your dreams

“Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.”

As someone who has plenty of personal experience with perfectionism, I’ll be the first to admit that choosing progress over perfection it is not easy.

Are you someone who talks yourself out of doing things you want to do?

I am. I wait, thinking that my timing must be perfect. As if I am playing double dutch jump rope. Watching for my opportunity to jump in, swaying forward and back, creating some small, controlled momentum, waiting for the perfect moment, my feet firmly planted beneath me.

Fully engaged in the preparation. Strategically thinking about how it must be done. All the while, not taking the leap.

Is gender in the workplace something you think about? Is gender equality something that affects you and your career?

I worked in a primarily male workplace for decades. Initially in environmental compliance and permitting at a regulatory agency and then a law firm, before working at an integrated electric utility.

It was a career that served me well.

I am inspired. And it feels good.

It has me feeling lighter, brighter.

If what you are doing and who you are doing it with doesn’t light you up, take some time to reflect.