New Beginnings - 2021

My last post on October 9, 2020 was entitled “Farewell My TD Ameritrade” which seems like an eternity ago.  I missed contributing on LinkedIn so I decided that now we’re in a New Year and with the  inauguration behind us that I’d start writing again.  The word inaugurate means to “begin or introduce” and I am ready to celebrate the new beginnings that 2021 will hopefully bring!  

2020 was a challenging year to say the least.  Between a historic pandemic, extreme partisan politics, racial injustice, and societal virtualization, people are struggling with depression, anger, sadness, loneliness, and stress.  For me, the experiences in 2020 included a deal close where I found out my fate of not being retained on the close date and having to clean out my belongings in an empty office in Ann Arbor which I started, the challenges of transitioning our adopted girls to a virtual schooling environment, and the decision to opt-out of a senior role a week after starting.  While I am sure we all have our stories, the thing I will remember the most is the mental fatigue that 2020 created. 

2020 has taught me incredible lessons in courage, perspective, choice and most importantly energy which are lifetime learnings which I will carry forward.  After deciding not to rejoin Ford the week before Thanksgiving, I spent the remainder of 2020 re-energizing myself with inward reflection through long walks with my husky puppy, reading, journaling, meditation, exercise, and podcasts.  I found myself breathing again, smiling, present and reconnecting with people and experiences.  The lightness that I felt that I had lost through the course of the last year was re-emerging. 

I am excited about all the opportunities that the new year brings both personally and professionally.   Professionally, I’m keeping an open mind and looking forward to exploring opportunities where I connect with the purpose, culture and people.   Personally, I’m focusing on holistic health, intellectual enrichment and contribution, enjoying family experiences and a more concerted sense of service to others.  It’s the first time in 30 years where I have no idea what I’ll be doing in 6 months and I am excited about being an explorer in unchartered territory.  I look forward to sharing my learnings over the past year and my present journey over the coming weeks and months.