Indelible Adventures: Renewal!

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I find that this time of year is one of reflection and renewal for me personally. It’s an opportunity to review and reflect on my past year, but also to think about the coming year.

That being said it’s one thing to reflect on your journey and feel good about what you’ve achieved and where you’ve come from but entirely another to have the ability to then build on those successes and continue your evolution.

Many people look at me and the life I’ve created and make assumptions about my background and my success. When I first immigrated to Canada I literally had to start all over again, as with many immigrants their qualifications weren’t recognized. And although painful at the time I don’t think I would have wanted it any other way. It made me hungry to prove to everyone that I could start again and make my life a success.

Yes, there were many long days, and countless hours working on some great and sometimes not so great projects. I’ve been fortunate to work with people from all walks of life and from all around the world, in different industries and from all types of businesses, but the one constant is that I tried to learn as much as I could as I went. If I reflect on my career I feel pretty blessed, as I’ve had some amazing mentors, coaches and guides throughout my career even though they perhaps didn’t know it at the time.

The one constant is that we all need help and support on our journey to success.

Strangely whenever I focus my attention on reflection and renewal I’m overcome by the feeling that “the world is at my feet” and that I can do anything… It truly is empowering to feel so positive about the journey ahead. Whether it’s luck or a highly honed gut instinct I’ve always found my way, and have confidence in my abilities to keep moving forward, even though at times its not exactly the path that you thought it would be. You've got to "go with the flow".

Over the years I’ve learned a lot and which seem universal, so let me share them with you.

Indelible tip #1: Always remain true to yourself – be who you are! Being your authentic and genuine self at all times is critical, especially if you mix that with an open and flexible approach, which I truly believe to be the “secret sauce” of success.

If you read my recent article “Just me” I talked about the importance of being accepted for who you are, just as you are…foibles and all. Unconditionally! I got a lot of great feedback, and it seems to have touched a nerve with many people who responded to the article. I’m glad that many of you took the time not only to read the article but also reflect on it and perhaps came away with a greater appreciation of your relationships and the dynamic associated with them.

Indelible Tip #2: Another really important aspect of renewal is your ability to look for the positives in any situation or at least reflect on what you learned or will take away from the situation. Sometimes this is difficult, especially when you feel let down and disappointed but it’s definitely what makes you stronger and better able to grow moving forward. No matter how painful the situation always endeavour to understand the broader context and learn, because in one way or another it’s continuing to prepare you for your future.

I also realize that this is easier said than done, especially when your emotions are involved…

Important to remember that it’s more than just being positive, but also reflecting on what you’re going to take away from the situation that counts. I would hasten to say that is where you develop and hone your inner strength. This is what I would call building your resiliency and emotional maturity; developing your ability to roll with whatever is tossed your way irrespective of what it is and keep going. J

Indelible Tip #3: We all need a foundation on which to build, and whether we like it or not there is a lot of hard work to be done in order to prepare you for what you want to achieve and where you want to go in life. Whether it’s starting out at the bottom as an intern and working your way up through the ranks, or joining a new organization and starting as the “new kid on the block” the ability to be a quick learner is imperative.

No matter which way you cut it, you have to earn your success and that only comes from being prepared to work hard, learning as you go and being completely committed to whatever you need to accomplish.

I would also strongly encourage you to have a plan. Now the plan doesn’t have to be ironclad but ideally you want to identify some key and realistic milestones in your path ahead so that you can gauge where you are in relation to where you ultimately want to be - remember, "Hope is not a strategy"!

I would urge you to write your plan down and say them out loud (this is my favourite), nothing brings it to life as much as when you share it with others. The flip side is that it’s pretty scary when you put yourself out there, because now you’re committed to making it happen, after all your reputation is now on the line!

Remember it's not about where you start in life, but where you take yourself that counts.

The only person that can make you a success is you!

Until next week...

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“Hanoi Posting”

A series of micro-stories by Terence Wallis

Episode 22: Treasured Memories

Lea got back to her flat after lunch with John feeling completely drained. Her eyes still visibly puffy from the outburst in the restaurant but instead of feeling better about her decision to go to Hanoi to surprise Bill she felt sad and more alone than ever.

As she reflected on her time with Bill she now realized that during their time together she had taken so much for granted and that she had wasted so much time with petty, and what now seemed like inconsequential and trivial things.

Like when he would just walk in on her when she was in the bathroom having a pee, and how mad she would get at him. For him growing up in a large family with only one bathroom he didn’t seem to think twice before just barging in. At first this was endearing, but she told him firmly that a lady needed her privacy and that he couldn’t come in while she was in there by herself, but still continued to do amid Lea’s most frustrated outbursts. He would just seem to laugh it off and say sorry each time, but never seem to remember and do it over and over, much to her chagrin.

Or the way his jaw would crack and crunch when he ate, the result of a dislocated jaw from his rugby days at University. To Lea his chewing felt like water torture with the constant sounds emanating from his mouth when he ate… I would get so angry she thought to herself, and for what?

Now these irritants were precious and treasured memories.

She had made up her mind to go and that was all there was to it. After all, it was her pettiness and pride that had pushed Bill away in the first place; even when he had tried in vain to reach her before he left for his posting in Hanoi. By ignoring him she had hoped that he would have come to his senses, realize that he loved her and abandon the silly idea of going halfway around the world to a country that was just getting back on its feet after years of war with the West.

Now she had decided to make things right, tell him how she really felt about him and that she would quit her job and stay with him in Hanoi, anything as long as they were together.

After all she loved him and that’s all that mattered…

Next week: Episode 23: Exhausted

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This week's selection of photos is from a local recent shoot. Enjoy!