Tips for Remaining Relevant, Enthusiastic and Professionally Challenged

The businesses weaved into hospitality, meetings and special events continue to move at warp speed. Whether you are a business owner, executive, director, manager or part of a team, I bet your start to 2018 was no different than any other year. We still have a pile of personal to-dos, professional projects, ideas and wish lists yet to accomplish. 

Time to get off the merry-go-round, take a deep breath and look in the rearview mirror. While reflecting, ask yourself a few questions.

» Are you satisfied with recent outcomes, failures and accomplishments?
» Were your strategies successful?
» Are you excited and full of anticipation for the day or week ahead?

If you answered no or simply hesitated in answering any of these questions, it might be time for a change. Change means reinvention. I’ve reinvented myself several times, but I needed encouragement to recognize I was stuck in a sea of complacency and comfort. We have to begin reinvention by starting with what you want. Here are some examples.

» To receive a promotion.
» To disrupt your business.
» To start a new profession.
» To become healthier.
» To run a marathon.
» To learn a new skill.
» To start a new relationship.
» To do something that you have never done before. 

With unlimited possibilities available, here are some steps to serve as a road map.

Things in life you are grateful for: Start compiling a list of everything in life you're grateful for: spouse, family, friends, skills and knowledge, hobbies, health, achievements and so on. 

What brings you joy: If you love traveling, going to a movie or attending your child's baseball game, write it down. List all the events and activities that bring you pleasure. 

Seek feedback: Cast a wide net of viewpoints by asking colleagues, friends, a boss, your staff and clients. The goal is to gain a variety of viewpoints regarding your performance in business, professional or personal relations. It can be brief, informal coaching moments after meetings, via email or phone, in the elevator or over coffee.

Coach, mentor and role model: This person could be a successful professional you partner with, a coworker, a friend or someone you've never met but has attained a level you wish to achieve. Emulate them. 

Create a vision for the future: Reflect on the past and give thanks for the experience you gained—the good, the bad and the ugly! Think about the people, places or situations that brought insight and provided feedback. Define and write down your goals and what you need to do to achieve them. Keep this somewhere visible and feel free to add to it.

Break it up into workable tasks: Be specific. Make a list of everything you want to do. Start with your top three goals and create an achievable three-, six- and nine-month time line. Then commit to keep doing it, one day at a time.

Don't try to solve all problems at once: Most of us in this industry operate as problem solvers, navigating toward a successful outcome like planning the perfect meeting or special event.

Focus on one thing at a time with steady, consistent action, and you'll get where you want and need to be.

To become more enthusiastic, act more enthusiastic: It's easier to be enthusiastic if you have lots of energy and feel good about yourself. Eating the right foods and exercising regularly will ensure you have energy to spare at the end of every day. Don’t dwell on the negative or past mistakes, and stop worrying about things you can’t change. 

Look for aha! moments: These are times when something happens that triggers some aspect of life for the better. It is also described as a moment of sudden insight or discovery. Look for your aha moments, record them and refer to them often.

Colorado-based Monica Cheeks is corporate director of events for Hyatt Hotels and is a 35-year industry veteran focused on event service standards, wedding specialist training and beverage programming.