Over these past two years, I think it’s fair to say we have all changed in some way. We will never be the same.
I know, myself, I will never be the same.
I learned so much about where my strengths and weaknesses are. I learned (again) how important friends and family are to your wellbeing. I also proved to myself that no matter what my business is doing, self-care and my mental wellbeing are of upmost importance.
As we begin to re-emerge through this pandemic, it has created both excitement and, in some cases, a little bit of anxiety for people.
Though it may create nerves for you, this is truly an opportunity to write the next chapter of your story.
To help you, here are three quick tips to consider when getting back out “into the real world”.
Let Go of The Past
I can’t say that any of us will likely be able to completely forget the past. The past two years have impacted our lives dramatically. However, there’s a difference between remembering the past and choosing to still carry it with us.
For example, when I think about when I had to overcome depression, I think of it as something that I had at a period in my life, not something that I am still identified by.
Similarly, after my career with Team Canada in sledge hockey was done, I had to let go of what I once was to create a new version of myself.
“Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.“
– Buddha
In this article, I wrote about how to let go of control while managing change and the question to ask yourself was “What must change”?
Another powerful question to ask yourself is, “What do I need to let go of”?
How can you begin to let go of your past?
To move forward and create your next chapter, what do you need to let go of? How can you begin to let go of your past? Click To TweetPractice Acceptance
I once heard a quote by Peter Crone which helped me take my acceptance to a whole new level.
He said,
“What happened, happened, and couldn’t have happened any other way because it didn’t.”
– Peter Crone
I can’t tell you how many times I have repeated this in my own head as I think about how my last two years progressed. There were so many times where I felt like I was struggling more than I should have, and when I looked back, I just kept reminding myself that “I did all that I could. If I could have done better, I would have”.
That quote has helped me accept my past when I felt like things should have been different, and this is a practice that I must do myself, every single day.
When you think back over the last two years, there may be something you feel like you could have done differently, but you didn’t.
Why?
Because what happened, happened, and couldn’t have happened any other way because it didn’t.
Set Your Intention
Now that you’ve let go of the past and accepted where you are today, what do you want the new version of you to be going forward?
For example, when I think back to who I was as a keynote speaker before the pandemic, I remember at times I was a bit rigid, I struggled sometimes to fully understand my audience and how to tie together key messages. My confidence wasn’t necessarily where I wanted it to be in terms of “owning the stage” and engaging an audience.
Since March of 2020, I delivered 83 virtual presentations and feel like I have not only grown and developed those areas of my keynotes and workshops, but my intention is to now carry those newly developed skills to a live stage.
Who do you want to be as you re-emerge?
Do you want to be more confident? Prepared? Open? Energetic? Enthusiastic? Curious?
When you think back to all that you learned, what is something that you can carry forward with you as you set your intention of how you want to show up as you re-emerge?
When you reflect on the past two years, what is something you can carry forward as you set your intention as how you want to show up in 2022? Click To TweetIn Conclusion
These aren’t just suggestions; these are steps that I am literally putting into practice myself.
I just delivered my first live keynote last week since the pandemic began. Everything I just shared with you is what truly helped me take the stage with confidence.
I was nervous and did have butterflies leading up to the event, but with preparation, practice, acceptance, and setting an intention of how I wanted to show up, I was able to re-emerge as a more confident speaker than I ever was before.
If you are looking for a keynote speaker for your event, consider looking at The Hero Mindset keynote, or my brand-new keynote on Reintegrating Post Pandemic: Strategies to Harness a Brighter Future. Going forward, both can help strengthen you and your team to be intentional as how you want to show up in this new world.
But for now, as you begin to write your next chapter, ask yourself what do you need to let go of, and what do you want your story to be?
When you show up with acceptance, enthusiasm, and intention, that is how you too can become a hero in your own movie.
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Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you succeed:
How to Manage Change Effectively
How to be Patient Managing Change
How to Say “No” and Maintain Your Boundaries
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Whenever you are ready here are the 3 best ways I can help you:
Get a FREE copy of my autobiography, Still Standing: When You Have Every Reason to Give Up, Keep Going (here)
Looking for a speaker for your next event? Watch Kevin’s keynote reel on The Hero Mindset (here)
Interested in team building? Come play and and learn more about the Sledge Hockey Experience (here)
