Holidays are a time for reflection, and considering options…

A holiday ‘Lessons Learned’, reflecting not on what I feel I’ve learned from work, instead how I wish I might have made different choices. ?

After a year of toil, expectations, hope, disappointments and victories, the end of the year has always brought a chance to enjoy a break from the pressures of work.?But if you are like me, the break has also led to deeper reflection and many troubling questions…

-?????????Is this the right place for me?

-?????????Could I be happier doing something else?

-?????????Am I making a positive difference, for myself and others?

-?????????Instead of barreling on, should I consider a change?

-?????????Do I have the skills and energy for a change?

These and so many other questions, but most are a distraction from a better question.?

-?????????If I was choosing how to spend this life, would I choose to spend it this way?

I’ve never considered myself afraid of change.?In the first 10 years after my bachelor’s, I changed careers 3x, lived in 3 foreign countries, married and divorced, moved 6x, and tried 4 different hair styles.?(This last one sounds less important, but I’m sitting here thinking about another change, so…)

In the last 20 years, though, I worked in the same field for 2 employers (well one if you consider UNC and NC State under the same umbrella), lived in the same area of NC (though did buy/sell houses 3x), raised 3 great kids, and yes, stuck to 1 hairstyle.?

Then, this time last year, our family pulled up all stakes-in-the-ground and moved to Germany.?My wife and I had asked ourselves the last question; were we living the life we chose, or the one that had evolved from trying to do our best given our real and perceived constraints??

The change has come with many highs and lows, and in no way do we look back with zero regrets.?Friends, family, life’s not so little comforts (don’t underestimate the value of a nice morning shower!)… we can see many changes since the move that are even more significant than we had expected.?But we also still answer the last question in the same way.?We are happier because we are living life the way we choose.

After a year (or two) of having to adapt to many significant changes in work and personal life without feeling a great deal of control, the end of the year offers us all an opportunity to step back and seek to take control back.?The world may appear daunting, out of control, limitless constraints… but in reality it has never offered more possibilities for those with the inclination to consider something different.? You don't have to sell everything you have and move overseas to find more happiness. And your best option may be the life you already have, and simply finding greater appreciation and happiness with what you already have. But if you could choose, and you absolutely can, how would you make 2022 the best possible year?

Dan McGurrin, PhD

Dr. Daniel (Dan) McGurrin recently completed a 25-year university-based career working with HR and Business Leaders to develop learning activities aligned with strategic initiatives.?Today, Dan is continuing this work as a consultant and trainer.??