If you are like me, as you venture into the holiday season, you are trying to do it all! You're planning and developing a picture-perfect holiday, winding up your 2024 goals and hopefully still finding time for yourself. By the end of the year, it feels extra challenging to make sure we accomplished all the objectives we set 12 months prior.
It is important to remember, now more than ever, that work-life balance is essential. Studies prove a healthy work-life balance is critical as it promotes personal well-being and professionally enhances productivity.
In this fast-paced time, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. So, we must train ourselves to focus on what we can control, directing our energy toward areas where we have the most influence on what we can change. Equally important is to acknowledge what's beyond our control.
A plaque in my office reminds me to focus my energy on the things that I can control: my attitude, my words, my responses, where I direct my energy, my beliefs, the choices I make and self-care. It also reminds me of the things I cannot control: other people's beliefs, decisions, opinions and thoughts. Oh, and the weather.
It is crucial to foster balance by setting boundaries, taking breaks, being flexible as things change, engaging in self-care, being mindful of exercising, immersing in hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.
AME has engaging sessions coming up on leadership and focusing on what we, as leaders, can control. Join AME virtually on December 16 to hear from Cambridge Air's vice president of human resources, Meg Brown, on "Heart-based & coaching-driven leadership: Transforming workplace culture."
We also have an insightful 4-session webinar series around emotional intelligence. Join the next session, "Emotional Intelligence: Self-Management," led by Amanda Guthrie, Outreach Programs administrator with ATAC.
Finally, I am very excited to share that we have two in-person opportunities to learn about the "Theory of Constraints flow solutions: Your path to operational excellence" from the Goldratt Group in Cleveland, Ohio. There are two eight-hour sessions on January 21 and January 28, 2025. We will hold this again in Wisconsin on February 26 and March 5, 2025. These two 2-day sessions will provide attendees with:
- Education on how to identify the key constraints in their operations
- An understanding of how to address these constraints to achieve operational excellence
- Assistance in learning how to leverage operational excellence for healthy and sustainable growth
- A hands-on application of TOC to their home environment
Most of you are familiar with the timeless book "The Goal," written by Eli Goldratt. AME has partnered with his son, Rami Goldratt, to bring the theory of constraints to companies everywhere. If you are interested in bringing this to your area, contact BClayton@ame.org.
In this holiday season, I challenge you to focus on your circle of control and identify opportunities to drive meaningful and lasting improvements in your personal and business life.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
