I hosted a cookie-decorating party for four-year-olds on Saturday.
Eight kinds of sprinkles,
Seven different snacks,
Six colours of icing,
Four friends from school,
Three dozen cookies,
Two hours of cleaning,
And one very happy mom and kid.
I know some of you will think I’m crazy. We have a small house, it took tons of preparation, there were multiple small meltdowns, and it took a lot of time.
But, you know why I did it?
Because I wanted to have the experience with my son of decorating cookies with a room full of friends.
I’m a solo parent and my son is an only child. He’s also the only grandchild in our family. There’s not going to be a cousin party that someone else organizes that we can jump in on.
That could be a source of frustration for me, or a place of grief and pain. But it isn’t.
While I do sometimes wish he had siblings and cousins, I’m pretty happy with our life. And I’m pretty sure this cookie party will occupy that space in his memory brilliantly.
Here’s the thing: A long time ago, I decided that I would be responsible for how my holidays went. I wasn’t going to sit back and leave things to chance, just to be disappointed and feel left out.
I’ve spent a lot of years single, and a lot of holidays far away from family. Sometimes you get invited to things, and sometimes you don’t. I don’t want to be lonely during the holidays or miss out on celebrating.
So, you know what I do? I take initiative. I plan something and invite people. Even if I’m tired. And even if my house isn’t clean.
SO many birthdays and Thanksgivings and Christmases over the years that I’ve planned and hosted. Because I want to enjoy it, and I’m not willing to leave that to chance.
There was the Thanksgiving I forgot about till Thursday, and then rushed out to buy a turkey and invite a dozen people. Ten came, I ran out of chairs, and it was the most eclectic, hilarious, relaxed Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.
Or the Easter, right at the start of Covid, when my teenage foster son refused to come home to eat the enormous dinner I made. So I made some calls, made up some plates, and delivered five full meals to seniors who were locked in all alone and missing their families.
Or my fortieth birthday - again, right in the middle of Covid, and four provinces away from family - when I asked a dear friend if I could bring a cake, two other friends, and a baby to her house to celebrate. It was perfect.
My point is this: Take initiative.
Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Stop dropping hints. Don’t cross your fingers and hope.
Do something.
Make the plan. Invite the people. Host the event. Take the risk - because I know it feels SO risky, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Build the experiences and the life you want.
Now, this is partly about the holidays. Partly about my own life and parenting.
But it’s also really important in leadership.
Stop waiting for things to get better. Stop hoping you’ll magically figure it out. Don’t ignore problems or pretend they don’t matter.
Take initiative!
Choose your priorities. Develop your people. Change the culture. Build the team you want!
Take the risk - and, trust me, I know how risky it feels to actually step out and LEAD - and do whatever it takes to see the change you’re longing for.
If you’re leading, YOU are the one who can change things.
You are not powerless. There is always something you can do.
And whether it’s planning a cookie party or investing in your development as a leader, you won’t regret taking initiative and being responsible for your journey.
If you need to take the next step in your leadership journey, The Leaders Circle is for you.
Join a community of peers, learn critical skills, and get coaching, all in one place.
January registration is open now.
Learn more here:
Comments