I find myself at the end of the summer wondering what happened to summer. Luckily here in the Midwest of the United States, summer is still here in the form of warm weather. There are no complaints from me- last winter’s cold is still buried in my core, any scene with snow causes me to shiver…
This summer has been busy in ways I didn’t even know I could be busy. I traveled almost weekly, maintained a summer program at the Boys and Girls Club, shared the upkeep of a household, taught an online class, managed individual clients, shot a training video, attended a National Coaching Conference and conducted a few workshops of my own. I learned the value of organization, efficiency, respite, making choices, and most importantly, relying on others for help and learning to delegate. I missed some events I wanted to attend, and chose not to attend others. I was particular about my time and found the value in small things: my children, my garden, and my family.
It was a true test and measure of what I am capable of doing when I want something. The seeds I planted are now growing and the outcome is that I am loving everything that I do. A few weeks ago I was feeling overwhelmed and grumbling about it. After all, air travel is not the most convenient thing, there are always delays, cranky people, and missed flights to deal with. After one particularly difficult trip I was complaining and then it hit me: “This busyness I am in is of my own design. This is the result of being good at something and the demand for what I do increasing.” The moment I realized that I felt better.
I was tired and that is why as coaches we are constantly saying, “Take care of yourself first.” I put those words into practice this summer. I struggle with the balance, like so many others I know, and it beats the alternative of feeling under-utilized and unfulfilled. Instead it has been a practice of finding things that work and discarding the things in my life that do not work.
One seed that has definitely begun to grow is the Living Forward Foundation. Next month the Living Forward Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual fundraising event. An incredible group of people have stepped forward to help me plan and organize the event. It is on October 11th in Crystal Lake, IL. in the evening. See the link below for details and information. We are planning a silent auction, dance, dinner (not a formal sit down, but good food for sure) and live auction. Our goal is to raise 8,000 and to seed further coaching groups for at-risk youth, which has been our main target group this year. We know we cannot do it alone. It takes support, commitment, and money to make it happen. We did a summer program at a local Boys and Girls Club Teen Center and below are some comments about what the kids said they got from the program:
“I think it helps me think more of my future and helps me focus on what’s important”
“This coaching group made me realize that some things in life are worth caring about.”
“It made me more confident as a person”
“It made me feel more courageous and confident in who I am.”
“It benefited [ed] me because I can be myself and know that I could do anything”
“Well I’m not afraid to be myself anymore.”
In all 20 kids participated in the summer program. We held 19 groups, went on a field trip to the woods and conducted a pre and post survey to measure the program effectiveness. This year we are running groups through the entire 2014/2015 school year. When I was first asked to do groups with teens I wasn’t sure how it would go- and it is a chance that has paid off. If you live local and are able to attend, I would love to see you there. You can also support the Foundation through our website. Click here for more information: http://livingforwardfoundation.org/
So what seeds are you planting? In the words of Harriet Tubman I hope you remember that, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the World.” Go dream!