Lessons Learned

As the year draws to a close, I'm reflecting on my accomplishments and identifying areas for growth. One question I always ask myself: "Did I challenge myself enough?"

My background in competitive Eventing (an Olympic equestrian sport) deeply influences my approach to work. In Eventing, riders strive for excellence in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Cross-Country. We often schooled at a higher level than our competitions, building automaticity in the basics to free our minds for the challenges ahead.

This principle translates perfectly to my professional life. I constantly seek opportunities to stretch my limits, build new skills, and experiment with new approaches. I love Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow State" model, which explores the creative process, serves as a valuable framework for my professional development. This model underscores the importance of avoiding boredom while also acknowledging the anxiety that accompanies new challenges. By consistently pushing my boundaries, I can maintain a state of flow and achieve breakthroughs.

This year, I embraced this philosophy by taking a class with Rob Liberace, a "Living Master" recognized by the Art Renewal Center. This experience pushed me well outside my comfort zone, leading to unexpected rewards. One of my studies from this class was even accepted into the Butler Museum of American Art's 85th Annual Art Show!

Just as our COO Merralee Retallick from Shared Vision Toolkit exemplifies with her diverse pursuits (from Stanford Continuing Education courses on basketball coaching with Tara VanDerveer to lock picking), I believe continuous learning in unexpected areas fosters valuable problem-solving skills and broadens our perspectives. This year, I'm committed to embracing new challenges and continuing my journey of professional and personal growth."