“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
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As I think back on the year, I am reminded of the Teddy Roosevelt quote above. It had a profound effect on me when I first read it back in April – there was the newness and uncertainty of the pandemic along with the isolation from being quarantined with only the news to rely on. I remember living in a place of fear, loneliness and confusion.
Then I happened on this quote and it helped me realize I was operating in a place of fear, which was not serving me. It helped me make the choice to shift my focus from the virus, which was completely out of my control and something we knew very little about, to focusing on that which I could control and doing things for others with the resources I had. I began to think of ways I could use my career coaching experience, knowledge, and tools to help those needing career assistance in these most challenging of times.
Offering complimentary professional development webinars throughout the summer for executives and job seekers to help them navigate the new world of virtual meetings, interviews, and job search was so energizing! But more than that, I found it was a win-win: Not only was it rewarding for me to know I was helping others navigate their own paths; it was rewarding to those I was helping because they were able to focus on something other than the fear, isolation and confusion we were all experiencing from the situation with the virus.
As we approach year-end and the new year and find ourselves still dealing with the uncertainty of the virus and wondering when we’ll get back to normal, I encourage you to remember Roosevelt’s quote -“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Focus on your gifts, talents, experience and look for ways that you can help yourself and others. I know from my own experience that, by doing this, you will feel better and stay focused on the positive.