If everything has gone to plan this week then I should be sending this blog out somewhere over the Tasman Sea. We have survived the last week of school and work has wrapped up for the year. All I really need now is four passports and ‘Santa’s’ suitcase which we’re kindly transporting to New Zealand on his behalf.
Our whole family has been looking forward to these few weeks catching up with Whanau since we bought tickets back in July - the day we got our tax return. It feels like a lifetime ago and yesterday all at once. That's the trickery of time.
This time of year is so ram jammed that our sense of time is often out of whack. It can be hard to remember what we did during the year let alone what we did last week which makes it the perfect time for a touch of festive reflection.
For better or worse, I’ve probably spent too much time reflecting this year as I’ve started to write my book. Trolling through old blogs and diaries has been tough at times but it's also reminded me of how important taking time to reflect is because it‘s in hindsight that we get the insight which we need for foresight.
The easiest way to assess the year is to understand where I spent my energy. Was it doing things I actually wanted to do or was it spent on things that I could’ve done without. If I divide my day up into sections, am I spending my most valuable and productive hours on the right thing? Work obviously has to take priority which means the kids get the slightly spent version of me. Did I get the balance right? How many things am I doing that replenish my energy?
This year I’ve noticed more than any other that I have to be both super disciplined and flexible at the same time. Showing up is still the number one thing I can do to improve all areas of my life. Show up for my family. For my friends. For my colleagues. For my students.
Even if shit goes pear shaped, showing up and being present means that nothing is wasted - not even the bad stuff.
Showing up as myself is the only way to do it. Authenticity is the key. In brand speak, it creates consistency across all of my (personal) brand touch points. From a practical perspective, it’s easy. Not wearing masks or having to remember which persona I have to be in which situation means I’m always ready to go. I just have to do what Jess would do. It's easy and therefore it conserves energy. I spend a lot less time worrying about shit which has been a huge energy vampire for me in the past.
I’ve become more selective with my extra curricular activities this year. I wanted to do more in the professional speaking space so I have dedicated more time to it but I’ve said no to other activities to do so. I’ve added in more boundaries like keeping Sunday free as a family day. We have to own our choices. There is no point complaining about not having enough time if we aren’t willing to create strong boundaries. Unchecked time will quickly become someone else's if you’re not proactively defending it.
That goes for what we consume as well - food, TV, music, social media. It's all a choice.
I’ve cut down my TV watching this year because I wanted to sleep more. I couldn’t have both if I wanted to get up early to run. Watching hours of TV got cut but I’m reaping the benefits. Most nights it’s an easy decision but I miss binge watching something good with Matt. We can save it for the weekend but I’ve missed lots of good telly this year.
Something I heard this year that is worth repeating is that mastery requires a healthy relationship with feedback. Becoming an educator this year with no experience previously has been the best example of this. I’m by no means a master but all I have done this year is seek feedback so I can get better at what I do. It’s fun being an amateur. Everything is new and challenging.
We’re 20 minutes off landing so I’ll wrap this reflection up by saying how awesome you are. I hope your year has been a prosperous one but if it hasn’t then you get the gift of resilience. The bits that suck are the bits that ultimately make us who we are! Celebrate them along with the good.
Kia Kaha
