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‘Observations’ Archive

Back to learning, at any age

Many students return to school this week, returning to learning and growing. And this time of year will always seem like back-to-school time, no matter how many years it’s been since I graduated.

To me, autumn feels like the time for a fresh start, more than New Year’s Day ever has. Maybe it’s the memory of buying new school clothes and school supplies (I still have great fondness for binders and notebooks, not to mention fall fashions). Perhaps it’s a rekindling of the anticipation of what might lie ahead in a new school year. Or maybe it’s the innate appeal of the chance to try again, to try something new, to try to achieve more than I did the year before.

I often apply these kinds of thoughts to my life and work as the first leaves begin to fall. It’s a time to reflect and plan for what’s next. A time to assess what works and what doesn’t. An opportunity for reinvention and new beginnings.

What about you? Does this time of year motivate you or inspire you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. My own personal lesson plan can only be improved by what I learn from others.

Working for More than Making a Living

With Labor Day coming up, plenty of people (including me!) are thinking about an extra day’s vacation. But I’m also pondering the nature of work as part of our lives.

Most of us need to work for a living. I wish everyone who wanted a job could find one, and I remain hopeful that day will come.

But practicalities aside, how many of us get to do what we really love for a living? I know I do. And I feel enormously grateful for that. Of course, there are challenges, but the fulfillment outweighs them.

Do you love what you do? I mean really love what you do? If so, celebrate that this weekend. And if you don’t? Maybe it’s a good time to think about changing that. I realize jobs aren’t always easy to come by, but many people are turning tough economic times into opportunities to reinvent themselves. Something to consider.

I’ll never forget the words of a mentor who told me years ago, “Follow your bliss.” Best advice ever.

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