So how did we get to the end of the Tunnel?

     So in my last post I talked about how I was in a good place at the end of the year this year. I also asked how you were doing at this point. Whether you were feeling good like me or ready to scream out in angst at the top of your lungs.  I also gave you a homework assignment. I asked you to look back and see if you can figure out what lead you to this point.

     First of all, let me get one thing perfectly clear. Me feeling great at this point in the year, is not normal.  Usually I am so mentally fried that I am barely able to finish up the year without snapping. This year is different for some reason. The weird part was nothing job related was really any different.  Still the same stresses and challenges.  Still the same unpredictable and at times long hours.  Still the same hurdles in balancing work and family. 

     This was however a personally far more challenging year.  It started with the diagnosis and then tragic loss of a friend and co-worker to cancer at 25 years old. It got more difficult with my mom battling (and currently kicking the butt of) breast cancer. I had shoulder surgery that I had been putting off for 14 years. Then throw in two other very difficult situations at work dealing with serious illness and it was a whopper of a year. 

     I'm not going to lie, there were an awful lot of tears shed this year.  So how am I in a good place at the end of the year? I think what it came down to is the simple fact that I love my job.  I love what I do and where I do it.  So when things got rough I found comfort in the routine and people at work.  

     When weather caused havoc in the school and athletics schedules, I didn't seem to mind. When an athlete was being a pain in the butt, I shrugged it off. When a coach was a pain, I took a deep breath and kept plugging along.  

     It's about perspective and this year gave me an awful lot of it.  So where does that leave you?  Why am I sharing this?  If you want to be happy, if you want to be in a good place mentally,  you have to have balance and perspective. If I did not love my profession, if I did not love where I work, I am not sure I could have gotten through this past year.  

     Hopefully people can find this perspective and balance without having to deal with difficult situations. So perhaps now is a good time for you to sit back and evaluate things and see what you need to do professionally to be happy. Whether that is maintaining the status quo because things are good, or making some changes because they are not. Now is a great time of year to take stock, recharge the batteries and make a plan. 
   

Oh, it also helps to have an awesome spouse and two great kids.  That helps too. 

#AT4EVER

Todd