As I write this, I am serenaded by the sounds of hammering, banging, and footsteps. We are getting a new roof and the noise made me think about how each of us has been spending our time during the pandemic and “safer at home” period. When we look back on this experience, what will we have done and what will we remember? In my own life, I’ve found that seasons of challenge and adversity are always opportunities to grow.

My hope is that we have made time to pause and reflect on our lives and leadership. This morning, as the workers began the task of removing the old shingles from our roof, it reminded me of the steps we must take to peel back the layers of old patterns of behavior that we find ourselves in. We need to identify those that we fell into versus a mindful choice on how we will respond, behave, and live, in order to make room for new growth and new healthy habits. If we haven’t done so already, today is a good day to reflect and peel back the layers.

• Are my behaviors in line with my thoughts, beliefs, values, and how I want to be?
• Am I making choices daily that contribute to me being the better version of myself?
• What actions and behaviors do I want to keep as part of my foundation and what do I need to remove and replace?
• What step can I take today to replace the old with an intentional and mindful choice of behavior and action?

For me personally, I’m working on patience and remembering to be kind. Amidst the clatter and noise of daily life, take advantage of a few minutes for yourself to reflect and refocus. You are worth it and it’s a gift that benefits everyone in our lives.

Tonda Tan SPHR/SHRM-SCP, Business Process Consultant/Coach at Competitive Solutions, Inc.