Van Gogh on a Thursday

They say practice makes perfect, but is practice all it takes to be successful? And what is perfect anyway?

Some people are born with an innate skill, they hone it and become even better. Others are mediocre, but there’s something to be said about staying the course… certainly in some organizations, simply being there is one of the biggest determinants of progression. For some... or perhaps for many, “getting through” the day is all they are striving for as it relates to their work. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience something a bit deeper than that, having had the opportunity to truly enjoy my work at various points in my career. That said, I’d be lying to you if I said my own motivation doesn’t wane from time to time. So what do you do when this happens to you? Perhaps you power through – counting down the minutes until it’s reasonable to sign off. Maybe the answer is found in taking a mental health day. Neither are terrible methods, but I’m curious if the lack of (to quote Marie Kondo ) things that “spark joy”, is not something to shake off, but rather a cue that you should pay attention to.

Maybe feeling unmotivated shouldn’t be met with force, but rather explored and leaned into instead. What would happen if every time we got the Sunday Scaries, we sought real inspiration instead of fake motivation?

I found myself alone in a quiet hotel room on Thursday morning – refreshed after having spent the night uninterrupted by little footsteps, requests for water, or cries from down the hall. I’d been to an event in NYC the night before and had free time before catching my train home. After scrolling aimlessly on my phone for a few moments, and realizing it was a beautiful day, I took myself to breakfast and tried to think of a good way to spend the next hour or so. I had a choice – it was a little chilly and although slinking back to my suburban cocoon was tempting… l decided to walk the ten short minutes crosstown to the The Museum of Modern Art .

There, I saw things that moved me, things that made me think, made me FEEL something. I noted concepts that were new to me, others that I felt compelled to investigate further. Thoughts arose about bringing my children to see artwork, new places to experience with my husband, and yes.. the topic of this newsletter.

So what’s the takeaway? Make the deliberate choice to seek inspiration. Who knows... you might end up creating something that people come from far and wide just to catch a glimpse.

Where will you go for inspiration? ?

Christine Robinson is a wife, mother of three wild boys and stepmom to three awesome kids. (Yes, six in total!)

As a Latina, working mother, and community activist, Christine is passionate about empowering women and underrepresented groups in the workplace.?She's spent her professional career managing supply and demand and most recently serving as the Head of Resource Management for one of the world’s largest CPA Advisory firms.?

Christine enjoys speaking with diverse audiences and has been featured in the New York Times, on podcasts, LinkedInLive events, and on college campuses. She has an MS in Human Resource Management from Fordham University, a BS in Sociology from Bowling Green University, and is a certified Resource Management Professional.

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