Celebrating Our Own Unique Journey

I did it! I completed the 4.4 mile Chesapeake Bay Swim again. It felt great. This was the fourth time I participated in the Chesapeake Bay Swim. The first time I came close to the finish, and the second time the currents were too strong and I was pulled out early. So I redoubled my efforts with three coaches and finally the finished the race on my third attempt.  Following that success, I kept training and decided to take on the challenge once more this year. And guess what? I did it! I completed the 4.4 mile Chesapeake Bay Swim for the second time. 

Valuing Our Accomplishments

Given society’s focus on achievement and the pressure to constantly strive for more and even surpass ourselves, it is important to pause and appreciate our own accomplishments, both in our personal and professional lives. 
What was wonderful about this swim was that I was relaxed about getting in the ba. I knew my strength and my body, and I felt confident in applying everything I had learned over the year. I entered the first mile, focused and relaxed, and paced myself. During the second and third miles, I felt strong, if not spectacular. The fourth mile was tough, requiring intense concentration to navigate the currents from the left bridge to the right bridge while advancing. I saw the 4th mile post and just kept going. The final .4 miles demanded all my energy, and I was fatigued by this point.  But it felt like the water itself was propelling me towards the shore, and that was a plus. I did it again, finishing just 6 minutes over my last swim. Three hours and 49 minutes, adjusted for my group. 
I’ve been feeling exhilarated, happy, content, and energized. I have achieved this. It was an investment of time, practice, and patience, and I have proven to myself that I am capable. 
I firmly believe that the weekend at Lake Placid a few weeks before, organized by my coaches Rob and Stephanie Colburn https://colburnbodyconcepts.com was what clinched my personal win. For three days I trained alongside a small group of ironmen and women, as well as another swimmer named Jane. Jane and I were practicing our lake swims while the ironman athletes were biking, running, and swimming in preparation for their upcoming events. Being surrounded by such strong athletes inspired me to give my best and push harder.

Going For It! 

Many of my clients aspire to grow,  better themselves, and make greater contributions to their organizations and colleagues. Once they clarify what their strengths are and areas for development, they possess the foundation to craft a plan for their desired outcomes. I believe that some leaders and managers underestimate the importance of stepping back to gain clarity in this process. 
I’ve witnessed my clients really open up, gain clarity, and achieve amazing results when they address time management, prioritize their goals, and adopt a strategic mindset. Empowering them with control over their time, organization, and leveraging their strengths has not only changed how they perceive themselves but has also inspired and motivated others who witness their newfound leadership and management capabilities.

Leveraging Your Community 

Achieving clarity and growth calls for more than just self-reflection. [NE2] It requires reaching out and asking for feedback. Once my clients articulate their strengths and areas for development, I encourage them to share their insights and gather feedback from their managers and key stakeholders. This allows them to gain fresh perspectives that can inform their plans. Once the plan is set, another crucial conversation needs to take place. When they are seeking opportunities for stretch assignments or leveraging their strengths, I encourage them to engage in further discussions with key stakeholders at various levels to uncover synergistic opportunities, committees, or projects to contribute to and collaborate on. 

What Have You Accomplished Lately That You Are Proud Of

Take a moment to consider: What have you accomplished lately that fills you with pride? What are your achievements this year?  It does not have to be big. Every small step you’ve taken towards your goals deserves recognition and appreciation. One step at a time, one practice at a time, one collaborative session at a time. 

I encourage you to celebrate your efforts as well as your wins as the year unfolds. 
If you are interested getting feedback through a 360 or creating a career or leadership development plan you can learn more about our services and visit our website at www.desormeauxconsutling.com or contact me: [email protected].