Connections Provide Inspiration

There are days that I wonder what the heck I am doing... more often than I care to admit. Parenting can be hard. Life can be hard. And parenting through single life can be really hard. Especially on a career-driven, passion-driven (and I have to keep it real and throw in the OCD-driven part too) person. I have found one imperative tool to keep my clock ticking and heart fluttering- CONNECTIONS! Make and keep positive connections with like-minded individuals. No, not the ‘like-minded, having the same bad day’ connections, although sometimes I will admit, it is nice to have those too- keeps things in check and I don’t feel so crazy after all!

In all seriousness though, I am talking about the connections you crave with inspiring, uplifting people that will challenge you to think, make you take a step back from time to time and evaluate the direction you are headed. Even if your path redirects your route, keep it on the map. Keep all goals in perspective; for there will come a time to put it all to work. Having to take a step back over the last year has taught me the real meaning of this:

If something is meant to be, it will be. But if you are forcing it, then the time is not right and the result will not fulfill the goal. Let it go. If it comes back after some time, then reevaluate.  

·        Evaluate the pros and cons of the last time. It is very important to clearly look at what went right as well as what went wrong.

·         Think about how the goal- has grown and evolved? Is the goal altogether different?

·        Consult with a few close friends/mentors. Consider all of your connections. Mix up the pool of people you consult with

·        Create a clear strategy before attempting your next try and then give it a shot.

Keeping the connections I met along the way and staying in touch with an amazing group of women, has keep my spark. They continue to inspire me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, email, webinars and even text messages. I love watching them pursue their dreams but I also like to see how their paths redirect sometimes too, and more importantly, how they grow through that time. I have a few friends that I have stayed in contact with that have grown and been transparent enough that I know success did not happen overnight. They struggled, prayed, cried, shouted for joy and even waited/reflected for a time. I am grateful to share these times with them as I lean on them in the same way.

I found myself listening to a teleseries of very successful women during my drive time and signing up for webinars that interest me in both my current career world and the entrepreneurial world again. Although I know the time is not right for all of it at the moment, I keep myself thinking about the material I want to offer, the business models to offer it through and the connections I can help in the process. Even in my present career, “how can I add value to those around me?”

My connections are what keep my mind off of the tough “what am I doing this for” moments and fixed on the fact that this is a temporary timeframe and this too shall pass… so I choose to be ready when it does. I also believe God puts people in your life at the right time for a reason, and sometimes even a season. Be willing to tune into this and plant the seeds wisely along the way, in order to reap the most plentiful, overflowing harvest. Connect with game changers, but also connect with strong friends. (and no I don’t mean the body building type, although if one happens to get sent my way that comes equipped with an entrepreneurial mind and can keep up with me- well shoot, I have to take that as ‘seeds well sown’??)

~V