Set a New Year’s evolution, with inspiration from the Golden Globes

by Suzanne F. Stevens, Conscious-Contribution™ Cultivator, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), originally posted on YouMeWe.ca

If you watched the Golden Globes or the news, you probably heard Glenn Close’s acceptance speech when she received Best Actress in a Drama Film. Her words inspired a standing ovation.

The Golden Globe words that inspired a standing ovation:

“I’m thinking of my mom who really sublimated herself to my father her whole life, and in her 80s she said to me, ‘I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything.’ And it was so not right, and I feel what I’ve learned through this whole experience is that women, we’re nurturers. That’s what’s expected of us. We have our children; we have our husbands, if we’re lucky enough, and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, ‘I can do that, and I should be allowed to do that.”

by Suzanne F. Stevens, Conscious-Contribution™ Cultivator, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), YouMeWe.ca

Golden Globe commentary was misleading

Following the speech, the commentary on many of the news and entertainment shows seemed to connect the message of lack of fulfillment, as a generational issue. Many of the female hosts spoke of their mother’s possibly feeling the same way as Glenn Close’s mother. It was if they were distancing their generation from the feeling of lacking fulfillment. Now we all know to get a hosting job, you are between thirty and fifty years. Their response caused me to reflect further. I could not be the only woman who felt that I have to put other needs, desires, and expectations before mine. And I don’t even have kids!

While looking into the audience during the celebrated Golden Globes speech, you saw many women nodding, tears in their eyes, vigorously clapping. Those reactions were signs of the struggle that so many women go through. These women are not in their 80’s – but rather in their 30’s, 40 ’s and 50’s. Glenn Close’s message was compelling for all generations.

Take the Golden Globes’ message, and set a New Years Evolution.

Make your New Years resolution, an evolution. Throw out what you already resolved to make as your goal for the year. Let’s face it, you weren’t going to do it anyway. Make this the year of me. On Jan 1, 2019, in my new journal (a Christmas gift from my husband), I put on the inside cover – “The year of me – Pivot.” This isn’t a goal, but a focus of every day.  I challenge you to do the same.

Yes, women are inherently nurturers, and that is an admirable quality that we should celebrate. Being caring doesn’t need to replace our fulfillment, but rather be the catalyst to achieve it.

One of the ways we can achieve the most fulfillment is by contributing to uplift the life of another. You may be thinking, “you suggested ‘make this the year of me.’” Ironically, when you contribute to others, not because you have to, or because it is the right thing to do, but because you want to, you are immersed in the afterglow of the contribution high. You feel a sense of value, of making a difference and increase your daily dose of happiness and fulfillment.

Live your evolution of a fulfilled life — every day

Here is a list of few ideas, you can incorporate in your life to feel fulfilled and maximize your meaning.

1. Incorporate a daily ritual of genuinely appreciating a few of your colleagues, customers, partners, suppliers, or family members.
2. Review where you have contributed in the past, that has made you feel most fulfilled.
3. Join a service club, volunteer on a board, or for a local charity.
4. Review your business vision and mission statement. Consider how your company can benefit a social or environmental issue. Create an impact statement, focusing on the change you want to see in the world.
5. Look for a project that your team can collaborate on to contribute to the community.

These opportunities to contribute to the community, will not only provide immediate satisfaction but also expose you to new opportunities on how to maximize your meaning. One sure way to feel more fulfillment in 2019 is to contribute to uplift the lives of others. You too will be uplifted. For more insight into discovering what is the best way for you to contribute, visit the BELIEVE to our purpose, in our weWednesday video Series. This video will get you started.

Discover your Compassion connection

Through your exploration, if you find a group of people that you connect to (At YouMeWe, we call this your compassion connection, put your energy into contributing to that one group. Instead of spreading your contributions out to the masses, you will receive an increased fulfillment and make a more focused impact.

Who knows, someday your daughter may receive an acknowledgment in public and instead of saying: When My mom was “in her 80s she said to me, I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything.’ She will say: “When my mom was in her 80’s she said to me, I feel like I have accomplished everything. My mom inspired me to make my contribution count – every day!

On weWednesdays, short weekly vlogs, YouMeWe Group shares insights into how to make your contributions count to maximize your meaning, benefit your business and your community. Subscribe here to get weWednesdays delivered to your inbox.

Until next time, make your contribution count! #YourContributionCounts #YouMeWeMovement

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