I’ve been keenly aware of this as a people manager myself. When we manage people, we are not just telling them how to do a job, we are colouring their lives. We can make or break their day in an instant, and we can change the way they view their job and their contribution to it, in fact, I would say it’s our responsibility to do so.
We all had plans at one point, but we forgot about the intent behind them, the real goal that our souls desire.
The other day I had plans; I wanted to go to the farmer’s market to get a great lunch and I wanted to get out into the middle of the forest and meditate in nature. The day went entirely awry, I actually found myself at the dreaded MALL for a moment even, in fact the day was railroaded to the point of humour but really at the end of the day, I had enjoyed a great lunch (not from the market), a great walk (not in the woods) and had acquired a new wisdom about letting go of plans to make way for flow.
Perhaps when we ask ourselves what we want to be when we grow up we should be using more attainable concepts like: happy, fulfilled, loved, inspired and inspiring.
Perhaps when we’re prodding our younger generation on their future plans we can help them find and strive for these fundamental things too. If we all measured our lives and circumstances on a happiness scale we’d find ways to get those ratings off the charts.
So this year I challenge you all: Regardless of the ‘tasks’ you’re asked to do in this life, at this moment, and regardless of how far off your path you feel; to find a way for happiness, fulfillment, love and inspiration to make its way in, today. You may not be on the path you expected to be on, and it may not look like you thought it would, but if your intentions are truly to find it, you will. It’s actually right in front of you and all around you, every moment of every day, guaranteed.