What’s that- a second post in the midst of this chaos! Round of applause for my return- a simple toast will do! I know it’s been awhile since we last spoke. Truthfully, I’ve been tossed, turned and flipped upside down since the start of 2020, so I desperately needed some time to gather my stability (still searching for parts of it at the moment), hence the vacation from blog posting! What a long year it’s been and it’s only April, haha! Needless to say, but very important that I do, I’ve greatly missed you all!
Timewithsig is my outlet and a creative space for US to grow. So in that same vein, I dedicate this post to discussing the oh-so-important theme of staying true to your dreams and keeping those goal reminders on ‘HIGH’ disturbance.
In the month of March, I have confronted, welcomed and avoided diverse visitors of change (some good while others I’m still trying to characterize). During the first week of March, work significantly quickened its pace. More work means more attention, which means more work of doing the very thing that avoids relaxation and continuity of composure.
That description is completely painted in sarcasm- honestly, I am sincerely super grateful and ever so appreciative of the work that I’m doing, the workload that I manage and having a job during these hectic times, so consequently I welcome this visitor of hard work, but other visitors I had a different reception for.
The second and third weeks of March were similar to the first. Work is still picking up and going great. But, I did experience a feeling of complacency. To break down this untimely visit from an ambiguous guest, let me share with you how this might have come about.
I’ve been working at my job for the past 5 months and have greatly enjoyed every moment, especially the fact that I’m working to combat oncological diseases for a biopharmaceutical company. Life definitely takes you places you never thought you would open the door to in the first place, so it’s been pretty adventurous to say the least. But what I mean by complacency has nothing to do with my primary job, but rather my hobbies and endeavors.
Yes, I have decidedly chosen to share my thoughts and aspirations on this creative platform #timewithsig. But, scratch the surface a little harder. As a young woman, I innately feel compelled to do more and be active at literally every second of the day. Do I succeed in doing this? Absolutely not, but I do try in some ways to change my mentality and be present. *emphasis on TRY, haha*
I am motivated by the fear of complacency, so what that means is, if I feel as though I’m not moving at the ideal pace that I’m most comfortable with, if I’m not standing up to my expectations, then yes I unconsciously welcome this feeling.
Hence why I’ve chosen to write this blog post. March has taught me to not put my dreams and aspirations on hold any longer. A few months back, I chose to create a bucket list (to be completed well before my demise, haha!). On the list, I shared that I wanted to learn another language, travel to different places, and learn new cultures and most of all, chase my dreams of practicing law. While some of those goals are on hold because of Coronavirus’ grandeur guest appearance, I can still accomplish some of these while working from home.
Change in setting does not mean change in pace, but it does require a change in mentality. To stop putting your goals on Do Not Disturb would mean changing your mentality, remaining open to change (even if it requires you to sometimes bend like a pretzel), especially during tough times.
From this day forward, I challenge you to stop putting your dreams and aspirations on Do Not Disturb. Stop selling yourself short and focusing on things out of your control. If one thing is for certain, you can control your dreams, mentality and outlook.
And no- this doesn’t mean do everything at once. In fact, give yourself some time to thoughtfully consider your life, not your position or status, but rather your ambitions.
“The same boiling water that softens potatoes, hardens eggs. It’s all about what you’re made of, not your circumstances.”
Over the weekend, I read a New York Times article discussing the overwhelming sentiment of feeling unproductive while staying inside and social distancing. Truly a moving, and thought-provoking piece, it forced me to settle my thoughts on the matter.
It’s not that you have to do everything and accomplish your life goals in 2 point 5 seconds or else you’ll never amount to anything. No- what I hope you take from this post, is just as you value your primary job and stability (whatever that looks like for you personally), you should also cherish your dreams and aspirations.
No need to confuse the fruit with the foliage. Everything isn’t what it seems- don’t stress about things out of control especially during this already stressful period. Breathe and don’t give up.
Leave this time for yourself to recoup and gather your thoughts, sanity and soundness (in avoidance of self-doubt, competition, and comparability by default).
Self care is ESSENTIAL for keeping Goal Reminders on high alert!
If Corona can’t stop you now, then it’s only up from here!
Cheers my friend.
Till next time SH
TIME WITH SIG 
Fantastic post, Sig! Honestly, I’ve been feeling stressed about a lot of things outside of my control (as well as some things within my control). As you so greatly captured in your post, there is no benefit in that. I am making daily choices to manage what I can control and letting go of what I can’t control. Similarity, this time has helped me focus on what I want out of my life and brainstorm on ideas on how to manifest my goals and aspirations. It’s easy to be complacent but like many of us, I have to fight that feeling on a daily basis.
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Wow- thanks for sharing Beth! It’s so true the notion that the cause of things out of control can sometimes become our biggest worry. Ironic how it turns out but personally, it’s completely ineffective and unproductive and most of all, unhealthy. You can just imagine the fear and built up anxiety that festers each time we worry about the things out of our control. Very much to your point- let’s focus on what we can control and find our new high along the way! Cheers 💕
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