Directors Corner
By: Katie Becker, Executive Director
I’ve never been a “messy” person, per se, but I tend to struggle with the mundane task of organizing paperwork. I like to move on to the next, exciting, project, and although I always know where important information is located, I rarely feel motivated to sort, label, and file everything. Over time, the piles of paperwork grow, and so do feelings of being overwhelmed.
I’m hoping that this confession may resonate with you and perhaps help if you experience the same.
Last week, as deadlines were mounting, I reached my breaking point. Instead of tackling the next item on my to-do list, I took on the stack of papers that lay on my desk. To some, this may sound silly, but in order to think clearly, I needed to purge my physical space of the papers that quietly and constantly whispered, “put me away…”
I needed to declutter my mental space to make room for new thoughts and opportunities to flourish. After an hour or so, the task was complete, and my brain fog lifted. I felt more in control, more present, and more able to act with intention. It was the fresh start I needed to refocus on the important task of building and supporting strategies that support and uplift our organization and the families we serve.
Just as I felt a need to clear out the physical clutter surrounding me, decluttering our minds is just as important. In our fast-paced world, jumping from task to task, commitment to commitment, is the norm. But, if we don’t take the time to stop and step away from all the moving parts, we can lose sight of what is most important.
This Spring, I encourage you to pause and purge. Embrace an opportunity for a fresh start, remind yourselves of your goals, address what might be weighing you down, and appreciate that we have the tools to succeed within us.