"Five minutes left..."

Last night I thought back on the year and although I am extremely grateful for all that I have been blessed with, this past year has been a roller-coaster of great expectations and disappointments, both personally and career-wise. My frustration meter has reached its highest readings yet.

Although my character is one of patience and understanding, and able to tolerate a respectable amount of wear and tear before the scales tip, this year has put the scales under severe strain and it seems the negative side is weighing in quite heavily. I don't know if writing these motivational blogs has placed me into some sort of pressure cooker test to see whether I can practice what I preach or whether I will just boil over with the heat.

This year, I know that I have done a great deal for my children and for my wife. I can see how they value and need me with the love in their eyes and the way they squeeze me when they give me hugs.
I know I have become part of a team at church with my contribution to the music group.
I also know I have added value at work with my efforts.

So having said all that, why do I still feel like I have come up short this year?

Driving home last night I felt so relieved that my annual leave has begun but also disappointed in myself that I haven't accomplished enough and the year is up. It kind of felt like writing an exam and the invigilator calls, "Five minutes left", and you still have many questions unanswered on your paper. I feel a desperation to rush around and try and get something done before the "Time up" is called. The reality is, that with the time available this year, I won't get to all the questions. However, I do know that I don't only have until midnight on December 31st to complete the exam. I have the option of making the most of the time left and setting new goals for the new year. I have the privilege of spending time with my family, making memories that will last them a lifetime. I have health and fitness that enables me to do my running and cycling. I have my intellect to be able to plan for the next year. I have love, which surpasses all other circumstantial issues, from my God, my wife, my children, my family members and my friends.

"To those I may have wronged, I ask forgiveness.
To those I may have helped, I wish I did more.
To those I neglected to help, I ask for understanding.
To those who helped me, I sincerely thank you so much...."

Remember you don't only have five minutes left!

Keep On Being Remarkable

I jokingly said that the pirate exclamation “Arrrgh!” was going to be the sum total  of my blog today but to “practise what I preach”, I added a few more words…

“Arrrgh!”  pretty much sums up how I am feeling at this point in the year. Fatigue has set in, frustrations and challenges seem to coming from every direction and as close as that leave period is, it still seems miles away. I think there are a number of people, especially my colleagues, feeling the same way.

Despite any current disappointments, I still have so much to be thankful for and can reflect on a year filled with hard work and work that was done to a level, that I can be proud that it has my name on it. I have earned my wages this year. Looking around at government and other large parastatals, how many people can honestly say the same? It would be so easy to slip down the slope of mediocrity and join the ranks of those who do little and expect all, as seems to be the norm these days. Fortunately, I am not made of that cloth. I am not able to sleep knowing I haven’t done my share and sweated for my earnings. I need to feel the blisters on my hands and the ache in my muscles to know that I have contributed. Thankfully, the people I work with are like-minded, as is evident in the work they produce and the willing effort that they demonstrate. As a consulting firm, the people, their skills and their efforts are the only real assets the company has. Without them, all we have is a building with lifeless tools. Pausing on that for a moment, I think it is pretty amazing what is achieved by those people. Each, individuals in their own right but pulling together and achieving some remarkable results.

The fatigue and frustrations are evidence of a year of hard effort, but one last push to the finish line is what is required. Finish on a high note. Look for ways to close up shop for the holidays knowing you will return next year without outstanding to-do’s. Tick those last few critical items off your list so they don’t plague your mind while you meant to be on holiday. 

It’s going to be tough, but 1 or 2 weeks of being remarkable is all that’s needed and for those of you that I know that just means being yourself!