I recently reached out to some friends about blog ideas and topics that may be needed during this time of year. Most of them talked about starting the yearly reflection: “What have I accomplished this year?” What a great idea. With that in mind, I reviewed my 2022 mission critical word.

Every year I come up with a mission critical word that helps me stay focused during the year. It is also much easier to keep than a resolution or a series of resolutions. I can easily remember one word. My 2022 mission critical word is “healthy.” When I chose this word, I really wasn’t thinking about it in a single dimension; it was not a diet, it was not about starting to run again, nor was it about getting a massage monthly. Although all these things are important, and I love how they make me feel, I wanted a more multidimensional approach. It was more about the big picture of taking care of myself emotionally, physically, and mentally daily to create a more profound change in myself and my attitude and outlook. I wanted others to feel my “healthy.”

I meet so many people in my work, in my personal life, and in my life coaching who have an immediate response of “I am way too bus for that” when I ask about self-care or healthy habits. I get it. We all keep running the rat race and have forgotten our principle why. The poultry industry doesn’t stop for self-care. That’s true, but …we all have to figure out a way to run the poultry industry and stay healthy for ourselves and our families and our employees. I wanted an approach that look away the “I am too busy excuse.” We all have distractions, but we come first.

Why do our employees become disgruntled and create harm or unsafe conditions for themselves and other employees? Why do we have such turnover? Why do people not retire and instead live their last years working in a high stress job instead of having fun? I firmly believe that it is because they are unhappy with themselves. I also know I reflect a lot so that I don’t become one of those unhappy people.

Now for the reflection: What have I done this year for my mission critical word? I am going to give myself an A- this year. My goal was to have more fun with family and friends, especially after COVID -19 lockdown. I accomplished several girls’ trips with amazing friends and a couple of vacations with my husband, which were almost becoming nonexistent. I was able to read some books and paddleboard and am now a certified yoga teacher. But most importantly, these things all added up to something bigger — something more multidimensional. Asking my friends, kids, and husband about my attitude and personality from January to today, they all said I am calmer, I laugh more, I have more of a positive attitude, and I set time aside for just having fun. When people can see and feel my happiness, I say I am succeeding with my mission.

It is never too early to start thinking about what makes us “healthy," and I honestly believe that this is the time to start thinking about it. We don’t have to start resolutions or reflections in January. We are in the holiday season. Time for celebrations, decorations, and family and friend gatherings. Now is the time to really figure out what makes you happy and what makes your employees and coworkers happy — feeling valued, appreciated, a kind word, a thank you, a gift, undisturbed time with family.

Enjoy this holiday season and take some time for yourself.

Reflections on my word

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