What are your priorities? We all have a finite amount of time in this world. Be good at your job, but don’t forget to be good at your life in the process. What do you want your family to remember? Your spouse? Your kids? Your friends? These are the people who will show up when you are sick, who will pray for your child to heal, who will buy the first round of tacos after a hard week, and who will ultimately cry at your memorial service.
In a culture driven by fear of professional failure, I challenge us all to be more concerned with personal failure. Failure to spend adequate time with those we love most. Failure to make memories. Failure to laugh. Failure to love.
These words, spoken by Dr. Angelou, are a powerful reminder of the importance of balance and boundaries in our lives. I’ve linked some helpful resources for this journey below. My hope is that you will find something to spur you along this journey, and to encourage you to leave a meaningful, purposeful life.
- Leveling Up by Ryan Leak – This book helped me to frame each aspect of my life from a healthier perspective. In this book, Ryan guides the reader through essential questions to ask yourself and your loved ones to ensure that you are building a successful life that is based on your personal definition of success.
- A Valuable Lesson for a Happier Life – In this YouTube video, Meir Kay encapsulates the lessons that were learned through Stephen Covey’s illustration powerful illustration in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People training and resources. The goal of this video is to refocus on the most important things in life.
Note from the Author: Mondays With Maya is a series that began Fall 2023 as a way to share the lessons in leadership and life that I have learned from the legendary Maya Angelou. Please join me here most Mondays for small nuggets of wisdom. You can also find me on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn sharing practical application of leadership principles.
The Ed Tech Queen 