Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Ashley Copeland, Communications Manager for Newnan, GA. Follow Ashley on Twitter and LinkedIn.
What I’m Listening To: It’s been a while since I had a chance to listen to a few podcasts, so, I’m going back into my saved podcasts and archives to catch up on Jemele Hill’s podcast, Jemele Hill is Unbothered.
What I’m Watching: Schitt’s Creek J I’m so close to finishing up the final season!
What I’m Reading: I’m always down for a good book about communication, and plus, it’s an excellent refresher. I’ve pulled We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations that Matter by Celeste Headlee out to read.
This morning, I sit at my desk with a full heart, mind, and relaxed soul. I feel energized, motivated, and refreshed, ready to get hard at work for what’s in store for the days, weeks, and months to come in this new year.
Here in the city, we have so many cool projects coming up on the radar that I am looking forward to working on!
I’m typically an upbeat, positive, and excited person for those that know me. But if you saw me a few weeks ago, before the holiday season began – I was burnt out. I was overwhelmed and swimming in projects, tasks, meetings, the never-ending “Zoom” meeting club, and so much work, all while trying to stay afloat and have the “holiday” spirit.
A little bah-hum-bug-ish you could say. I was just ready for the holiday season to be over and done with.
I decided to take a few days off until the new year in hopes that would be just the thing that I needed to get me back on the right track.
Whenever I take more than a week off from work – it’s usually to go out of town somewhere. Most of the time, I don’t always get the chance to enjoy them due to phone calls and emails from the media. While I love my job, it’s a 24/7, 365 type gig. But due to the pandemic, I chose not to go anywhere far and stayed in town for a “staycation” at home.
Three words: BEST. DECISION. EVER.
I was grateful to spend time with my close, immediate family, my sweet and loving Shih Tzu, Kennedy, celebrate another year around the sun, catch up on a few shows on Netflix that had been on my list for months. Most importantly, I caught up on some well-needed rest.
I also had the chance to say my goodbyes and good riddance to 2020 – for being one of the craziest whirlwinds in a dumpster fire on wheels that I had ever experienced.
I’m sure we can all agree that we were excited and thrilled to see 2021 roll in.
I’m sure myself, like many of you, the new year symbolizes a unique tick of the clock that prompts us to celebrate and step outside of our day-to-day to reflect, look back, take stock, assess ourselves on how we did during the year, and find ways to do better. It allows us the chance to be grateful for making it another year.
Plus, it’s that time of the year when our timelines are filled with that overused phrase: “New Year, New Me!”
Traditionally, when the new year rolls in – I always make a habit of creating and setting goals and making plans to stick to them as the year goes on. As a paper crafter and planner at heart, this always made sticking to those goals and resolutions much more manageable.
It’s been said that 80% of resolutions fail but setting an intention can improve your successes in achieving your goals.
But I’ll be honest, with everything that happened in 2020 – I neglected my hobbies. Sorry, hobbies.
It was honestly just too much to keep up with while trying to stay afloat.
So after much reflection and thought, and looking for ways to improve. I decided that I will keep my hobbies and goals – but will not get upset with myself if things don’t always go as planned.
I understand that this may be a lofty goal and process because I am genuinely a planner and type of person. I have decided to try something new this time around.
I’m letting go, breathing, relaxing, and enjoying the moments as they come.
Instead of making a list of goals, resolutions, and more this year, I will choose a word for the year.
My word this year will be EMPOWERED.
Empowered, as defined by Meriam Webster, is an adjective, meaning to have the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself.
The purpose of creating this “word of the year” for myself will help to inspire me to become my best self, ignite my passion, and propel me towards remembering what’s most important.
When I see this word, I think of all the things ahead of me in 2021, both personally and professionally, with great stride and excitement.
I’m looking forward to getting hard at work for the people in the community that I serve and to see where 2021 takes me professionally in my career.
For example, one of the major projects that I am most excited about is our city’s rebrand that will focus on our city’s logo, brand, and most of all – our city’s story. Although this project will be huge – it will be one that will become a learning process for not only myself but for the rest of the city’s staff, elected officials and our community. By the end of the process, we will finally have a long overdue, consistent logo and brand that will stay with us for years to come. I am excited to see how it all unfolds. I’ll be hoping to remain empowered through the process as we work with several onboard to make sure this project is a success.
From a personal perspective, I hope to remember that self-care is essential.
Those last few days of 2020 for me were spent binge-watching Schitt’s Creek, reflecting and spending time with family, and getting much-needed rest. They were all reminders that I have to make it a priority to take care of myself, first.
I can’t pour from an empty source.
Therefore, I can’t be empowered to help others if I don’t take care of myself first.
It all starts with me.
And I leave with this.
While this past year may not have been one of the best for us – I am hopeful that better days are ahead of us all.
So, here we are – moving onward, upward, and forward into a new year full of endless possibilities.
And so it begins, my friends.