Some years ago, my Goddaughter visited me around the time she and her mom decided to paint her bedroom. They both thought it needed a makeover from a little girl’s room to a young woman’s sanctuary. Alyssa and I shopped at a local mall for the things that would personalize her room. As we shopped, she picked up items and kept saying, “Mommy would like this”. After she said this about the fourth item, I told her to stop – and put everything back. “This is going to be your room so it should reflect your taste”, I told her. She smiled, walked around the area again and made some choices that she liked and that she felt reflected her personality. When she got home her Mother was thrilled with her selections – and I was thrilled when I visited them some months later and saw the new room design. Alyssa learned a valuable lesson – her Mother and I valued her opinion and her ability to choose wisely.

I recently had occasion to feel like I was defending my “room design” to someone that I thought was in my corner. I quickly came to myself when I realized that I had to move forward making decisions that fit the design of my room. I thought more about the person I was dealing with and realized we are very different people. Then I took my own advice and put back the stuff that didn’t fit who I am, did a little recreating with some courageous companions and now am moving forward in faith with the agenda that fits me.

As employees, parents, guardians – people – we all have to design our room based on the gifts we are blessed with. Allowing somebody to get in our ear or our brains with an agenda that doesn’t fit who we are will keep us from reaching our goals both professionally and personally. It will upset our peace of mind and cause us to make decisions that will further set us back or keep us off track. Time works for and against us so we need to make sure we are as resourceful with our time as we can possibly be.

With the advent of a new calendar year, I encourage you to get busy designing your room. Be advised that age is not a factor in the design (or redesign) of your room. New beginnings also signify letting some old, worn habits and attitudes go. If you must, grieve over those old habits for a minute then move forward. Custom design your room with the things that reflect your values and goals. Don’t forget to let those persons who truly understand you know where you are heading. You want to take your truly courageous companions along for the ride. Be open to engaging in dialogue with people who are creatively designing their rooms because you might get inspiration from them – and they could get inspiration from you. Once you design your room, even with all the hustle and bustle of year-end, make sure you take some time to reflect on it. You’ll be recharged and ready to step into the New Year with confidence.

Lesson learned!