2020 was a strange year, but it taught me an important lesson about patience, persistence, and people.
I count myself as incredibly fortunate to finish this year healthier and happier.
In addition to losing 30 pounds, I’ve marked personal bests in weightlifting and cardio (thanks to Muncie CrossFit at The Arsenal and Weight Watchers).
Shafer Leadership Academy and Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association (where I serve as board president) are both finishing with record years, something I attribute to the amazing teams at both organizations.
Productive, Not Busy
Perhaps most importantly this year has taught me the value of patience, persistence, and people. I know how lucky I am to be sharing these successes, this year of all years, so I hope what I say next helps others.
For so long I’ve focused on achieving goals. I’ve let accomplishment define me, and while I will remain action oriented in 2021, 2020 has helped me better understand the difference between busy and productive.
Things Stack
The pandemic caused me to look at where (and how) I’m spending my time. I’m saying “no” more and rushing less. I’m also starting to understand that much of our success this year was built over several years. Things stack.
Climbing a mountain happens once step at a time just as getting buried by one often happens a rock at a time. Sometimes continuing to move forward is the simplest and most powerful choice we can make.
Change is slow. That’s patience and persistence.
Where the Magic Happens
People, however, is where the real magic happens. Nothing truly good happens alone. Shafer has served the most amount of people in our history though the greatest number of programs in our history, because our talented staff and dedicated board. That’s not lip service. It’s truth.
This year my neighborhood association worked with the County Commissioners to get a five-year paving plan, had record number of pool memberships, and a record dues drive. This happened because we have an incredibly talented board who is committed to this community.
Once again, it’s the team who made all this happen.
Patience, persistence, people. Patience that change is slow; Persistence to keep going; and People to help you get there.
Here’s to a 2021 powered by persistence, sustained by patience, and realized by people!
