Imagine yourself three years from now: you're happy, healthy and genuinely enjoying the activities and work you're engaged in.
Now think: what have you focused on to get to that place? What have you let go of? What are you fostering? Most importantly, what are your connections and relationships like?
Why is that the most important part? Because everything starts with connection. And when we envision our best selves in the future, we must begin with connection.
Here’s a simple structure to guide your thinking, as you create, build and invest in the relationships that will be fruitful and meaningful connections for your best future self. It’s a three-part structure: ReSet, ReFresh, ReVitalize.
ReSet
- Review: Cars have rearview mirrors for a reason: to see what’s behind us and where we’ve come from. To literally re-view what was previously in front of us as we spur forward. Acknowledging where you’ve been is necessary to re-set where you want to go.
- Discuss: To get into your groove (versus staying in a rut) requires us to discuss what our future looks like. I teach teams and audiences to think of it in three phases: Self – Team – Community. In this order, we first honor our own vision and alignment, then ripple outward to team and then finally, community. Discussion with self needs to be honest and clear to be effective.
ReFresh
- Adjust: To continue the car metaphor, here’s where we shift from the rearview mirror to the windshield. If you’re living your life by looking forward, you move forward. It seems simple, but it’s not. Lamenting over truly un-useful phrases like “back to normal”, “return” and anything resembling what was in our rearview, is to stay stuck in what was. Think instead: What’s the vision I’m going to bring to life, how will I activate my thoughts into motion?
- Inform: This part is supported fully by Self – Team – Community. To inform is to lead your life in a state of positive wonder. Tap into your curious thoughts, foster being curious to the point you become what I call ‘Hyper-Curious’. Being curious helps us focus solely on what’s possible, as opposed to limiting “what was” thinking. Inform yourself and move into the future.
ReVitalize
- ReDedicate: As you read this, place your hand on your head, then your heart, then your guts. Head, Heart, Guts. ReDedication requires us to listen to our entire selves— our head, hearts and guts— since all of our systems support us in unique ways. To only make ‘logical’ decisions is to negate and neglect the incredible wisdom of the rest of our bodies. Tune in and you’ll feel, hear and understand a lot more. You’ll realize when you’re fully in command, as well as not. Be in command of yourself, and your life, by rededicating. Forget about control, it’s a wasted effort and as useless as guilt.
- ReNewal: Take a deep breath right now. A real, proper deep breath. Inhale, and exhale slowly, through the nose. To renew is to focus forward with the ‘Connector’s Mindset’ of ‘POW’ (Positive, Objective, Willing). With POW, everything is possible.
If you choose to use this simple structure, you can make progress into being your best self. To be meaningfully connected in your life with the purpose you wish to serve.
If not, that’s your choice too. It’s totally up to you.
Me? I choose to focus on who I want to be and keep becoming in order to give and serve and live my best life.
If this message resonates with you, then join me for a three-hour intensive workshop at the Bar & Restaurant Expo, on March 21st. It will be lively, thought provoking, and useful.
Most biographies for speakers are full of credentials, awards, accomplishments and other unexciting info. Let’s say this for now: everything in life is Powered by Connection. And Connection is Ginger’s jam. It’s the energy that makes the world go ‘round. She works with great leaders, teams and organization to do their best work by tapping into the incredible possibilities meaningful connection creates. Join Ginger at the Bar & Restaurant Expo to dive into the growth and possibilities human connection offers. If you want to know more before then, visit GingerJohnson.com and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Bar & Restaurant Expo (formerly Nightclub & Bar Show) is a live, in-person event held March 21-23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Early bird registration is open now. Click here get your tickets now!
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