Quality Decisions for 2014

Last day of 2013.....woah nelly!

Inspired by my good friend's newletter (find it here), I decided as I prepare for 2014, to identify quality decisions (as Path Coach Kaylus calls them) to help guide me toward purposeful living.

The beauty of 2014 is that it will also culminate my time working on the PhD, so it will launch Giavana Jones, PhD. woooot wooot. Has a ring to it huh? In 2014, I also return to my role as School Psychologist with the Ministry of Education, Bahamas as my study leave officially ends. womp womp. So undoubtedly, there is a lot for me to think about, process, prepare for, etc. There is also a lot to be anxious about but as I've shared, I'm choosing to NOT worry (see here, here and here for posts on this).

To understand quality decisions, you must read the newsletter, but in a nutshell, Kaylus said that:

"Knowing what you don't want can lead to having what you want"

The idea here is its usually easier to identify what we don't want to do...and from this, we make decisions which lead to our ideal. 

I'll share one of my quality decisions as I challenge you to identify yours!

A couple weeks ago, as I thought about next year and all that unfolds, I realized that I can't see myself going back to a 9-5/5 days a week, i.e. the traditional 40 hr per week position. I am thriving off of the ability to come in late, leave early, not come in at all and everything else that my part time contract position has afforded me this past year. Now, this isn't lazyness. I will get my work done, whether its in the middle of the night or otherwise. I just love that if Daelyn Grace is having a rough morning or night, I won't feel pressured or obligated to be somewhere if there is no specific meeting or scheduled appointment. I also realize that I do not want to work 5 days a week. I'd like a day (at least) to be home with baby girl. Sunday doesn't count because its church and Saturday will most likely default to errands, cleaning...you know- home stuff.

The more I thought this through, the more I found more and more "things I did not want". And they all pointed to the format of a traditional job. The irony of this is, before leaving the 9-5 job to pursue my PhD, I would not have seen myself anyplace else. I was quite content with that type of work schedule UNTIL I took the plunge, left my job and pursued a graduate degree full time. NOW, after the variety of work experiences I've had over the past 4.5 years, I honestly can't see myself going back.

So, long story short--quality decision for planning "whats next" post-PhD is:

finding and creating a work arrangement that is flexible and does not require a traditional 40-hour work week.

What are those things that you just cannot do? The very idea annoys or angers you. It probably means you are mismatched with that particular situation. If so, think it through and identify quality decisions. This works for professional and personal life goals!

Grace, peace, love, and purpose,

Gia

What does your future hold?

Yesterday, I sat through a training session as a part of my duties for my internship. There wasn't much presented that I didn't know, but two of the assignments stood out to me.

The first was to draw your timeline...essentially, getting the college-aged students to think beyond today and construct some semblance of a life plan. Based on some of the responses, I still think some people did not get it...the points on their "timeline" were vague and unrealistic and when they were challenged to think about resources and specifics, they simply refused to. I took the opportunity to begin drafting my 5 year plan which my good friend, Kaylus, had suggested I do about a week or so earlier.

It's funny because I ALWAYS have a plan but when the question was put forth to me, I realized that I essentially stopped planning life once I hit grad school. All plans for the past 4 years, were surrounding the achievement of the major projects and such associated with the attainment of the PhD. This meant that I needed to now think about what I wanted, where I wanted to be and how I plan on achieving said goals after this degree. Yes, I still have another 2 years until I walk across the stage but considering 2013 is pretty much already here, it is definitely a good time to start revisiting my life plan.

I still haven't completed it as yet BUT I've got details through 2014 and highlights for 2015. I'll spend some more time on it in the days to come to get some more highlights through 2017 (at least).

The 2nd assignment was to construct a personal vision statement. wooo who knew this small task would be soooo challenging. Without going through the details, I'm excited to report that I got mine drafted [insert happy dance]. I'm still praying about whether this is "it" or if something else need to be added but I'm excited! Beyond excited...ecstatic.

"For everyone that I work with, my aim in life is to AMPLIFY their strengths, CHALLENGE their faulty thinking, attitudes and belief systems and thus assist with bringing about CHANGE so they can live more fulfilled and meaningful lives."

What do you think? too long? too vague? too pie in the sky?

Those key words: amplify, challenge, and change were a part of a professor's philosophy and pedagogy and although I interviewed her almost a year ago, those words are seemingly on repeat in my head.  It resonated with me over these months, and it actually shifted my own approach so that I looked at my experiences as challenges to bring about change in my life. Challenges are now welcomed rather than avoided.

I've committed to be on a never-ending growth tract and decided my life's mission is to do the same with the lives I'm blessed to interact with.

Do you have a personal vision statement? or something similar? share with us in the comments section below.

Grace peace and love,
Gia