Wrapping Up 2017

This is not going to be a post about New Year's Resolutions. You don't care about mine and I will probably come up with some inane ones that will be broken by the 11th of January. I figure if these 'resolutions' were so worthy of being part of my life, they would be part of my life already. I will, however, make some observations about what was - and some 'thoughts of good intention' for what I hope will be.

2017 was the first year in my (long) career where my primary responsibility in my position was/is leadership and although I wasn't sure how I would manage managing...I found that a strong family of dedicated professionals who are supportive, committed, and FUNNY make all the difference and transitions can be seamless. I also found that I can still stay involved with students - make connections for them - tinker with their resumes because there is time for everything you think is cool. Keeping the coolest part of your job is vital to any new position you go into. It's not a trade-off nor should it be.

Making lists and writing stuff down is super important. I am sure that I could tap away on my phone but I like the piece of paper stuck in my wallet with a note. I'll find it there because I know I put it there...so I am okay with keeping it that way. I also have a paper calendar in addition to my electronic one. Some people laugh when they see it but then I point to my rolodex and my miniature bendable Gumby and that usually changes the subject nicely. So some paper stuff will be staying in 2018 - it works for me.

I spent a good deal of 2017 analyzing the crap out of stuff. Exhausting. Could he/she possibly have meant this when he/she said that? Yup. Possibly. And that look? What did that look mean?? Could it have meant...or ....? Yup on that one too. I hope 2018 will bring a little more "chill Amy, really?" common sense to my psyche. But probably not.

I did not walk around the block every day during lunch like I promised myself I would. It's ridiculous to think I will do this in 2018 because it's not realistic to assume what any lunch hour will ever look like. I will not attach "I will do this in this way" stuff to my brain in 2018. Walking is important so I can do it differently at a different time. My legs don't care what time it is as long as they're moving. Time constraints for stuff like that doesn't work for me so I need to stop feeling bad at lunch.

I'm tired of apologizing for being an introvert. Yes, I know it's hard to imagine that someone with 19,025 connections (and a social selling index of 91) on LinkedIn has trouble with the world-at-large. But, it's a large world. I still ease into networking events like the single toe into an icy pool - but the plunge in is quicker and less painful. This is who I am so when I decline a non-required event involving lots of strangers in a loud place with all sorts of food and drink on my "not allowed" list....I will not apologize. You really have no idea how tough some situations are for me but I have learned to manage. No apologies.

I'm not going to be getting any extra sleep in the coming year and I doubt my stress level will be alleviated in any way. I create the stress and I manage it well on some days and quite poorly on others. That's life. I'm aware of that more than I ever was before and consider that an achievement. Tired just thinking about it.

I took a lot of notes in 2017. Furiously at times. I need to write neater and user cooler pens. If I used blue, for instance, and then a really cool green for emphasis - I would have something pretty to look at later on. I could also tap away on a laptop or phone but I don't like staring at a screen when I'm in a meeting or sitting with someone. I used to cheat on math tests so I can also write on my hand.

I survived all the questions I asked this year. I often picked up the phone or penned an email with my "oh my goodness - here goes a dumb one" expression on but found that no one really felt that way but me. So I plan on asking as much as I can to whomever I need to in 2018.

I did not say YES to everything in 2017 and will continue to not say YES to everything in 2018. There are some things that can be delegated and the best way to discover the amazing talent of your team is to give them challenges and initiatives. My team will be even more empowered in 2018.

Everyone is not the same as me and they are also exactly the same. As long as I continue to remember that we are not intended to be replicas of one another, I can be more accepting and empathetic with my students, colleagues, friends. I can also pull off the awesome talents of those around me and learn from their skill and expertise. When I have moments of doubt and fall silent at a meeting, I will remember that everyone in that room is also wondering what to say and how. It might not be at the same moment I am experiencing it, but everyone in that room at one time, was thinking "I hope I sound all right". *Kudos for them if they don't think that - I hope to sit next to him/her at the next meeting.

Here's to 2018. Whatever that means to you - let it be a good one.