If you’ve been in a Zoom meeting with me during the past few months, you may have seen an unexpected visitor on the screen. I’m currently fostering a cat that is very curious anytime she hears voices coming out of my computer.
There’s a running joke among the AME staff that my home may transition from a foster home to a forever home for this cat. That’s entirely possible. I love all animals, and my foster cat is no different, so I’m not shutting down that speculation.
As we approach the end of the year, you may be reflecting on 2020 and looking ahead to 2021.
As I think about where we are and where we’re headed, I’m reminded of a humorous Wall Street Journal piece from this spring about the feelings cats and dogs have about people spending more time at home. For dogs, the added time with their humans is exciting and welcome. But for cats, they want their people to get back to the office and leave them alone.
While I love my foster cat, the joke is not lost on me. The dog sees the positive elements of this extra time and welcomes it. For the cat, the extra time is an annoyance.
It’s all about perspective and mindset.
There are often multiple ways to look at a situation. We can come from a positive or negative place. We can take the long- or short-view. We can focus on the journey or the destination. We can think about our failures or about the lessons we’ve learned when we haven’t been successful.
As we reflect on 2020 and begin to look ahead to 2021, dwell on the positive. Think about the silver linings, the challenges you’ve overcome (and continue to overcome!), and the opportunities that exist when we look at things with the right mindset. Be the dog, not the cat.
For many of us, this year has been challenging, personally and professionally. There are opportunities to make 2021 better and there is help available to overcome adversity. As we march toward the new year, please stay positive, and do not hesitate to reach out if there’s anything that AME or I can do to support you or your organization now and in the future.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
