I seem to have taken these Challenge focused blogs as my personal ones. Sorry for all the self-help post, but I’ve basically become a self-help guru who wouldn’t be where she’s at today if it wasn’t for it.

On this blog post I want to emphasize reflection as a very important part of life in every aspect. Have you taken the time to reflect on your work and how you feel about it? Are you happy where you’re at? If not, have you done anything about it? Have you at least tried to explore new interest? Do you wake up in the morning ready for a new day, or are you forcing yourself out from under your sheets?

I think one of our biggest downfalls is not asking ourselves what we really want and what we want to contribute. In Challenge Detroit we are constantly reflecting on how we did, how we can be better, and what we plan on doing in the future. This may seem silly, but it’s what I do everyday when I journal my success, failures, fears and future plans.

Today I’m reviewing my dream board and what I wanted to accomplish for myself this year (since I only have about 6 months left!). Have I been putting in the work to accomplish my goals and if I haven’t do I need to reevaluate? Thankfully I’ve already accomplished some of my goals. My puppy Sophia is wonderful and potty trained (yay!) and exactly the kind of companion I need during my busy day. I did get my new job with Wayne County and I’m learning a lot! I love working downtown in the Guardian Building and I love the team I’m working for. I plan out everyday (sometimes I give myself a Sunday “off”) and have made sure to fill it with people, things and places that I love. Without really trying, I’m slated to visit 3, possibly 5 or 6 cities during 2016! Hopefully more quick weekend trips can be scheduled (need a travel buddy? Call me!). My community development and growth is also currently being worked on as I work on projects like Southwest SOUP, Pedal to Porch, and begin to campaign for my Precinct Delegate position. And as far as love is concerned, I may or may not have found it one Saturday night during Nothing Elegant at Old Miami.

Things not pictured in my dream board (because I said I was going to put it up later) are images for a house and a masters degree. Ironically enough these are the only two things I have not focused enough of my energy on, but two things that are going to be very important to me come 2017, so I NEED to start working on them now.

With that, I have printed out images and will include them on my dream board tonight. I will continue to reflect on my year so far, my goals and my impact on Challenge. We have one Challenge left and I wanted to be team lead to finish off strong. If my personal impact (and final Challenge) goes well, then I would have hit the majority of my goals on my dream board for 2016, and we’d still have so much 2016 left!

I say all this to say: Self-help, reflection and guidance is important. It can change your life, and if you set the right intentions, you can ultimately change the lives of others who you touch either with your love or work. Let your successes help others succeed, and if you don’t know how to accomplish this, reflect and find out.