Читать книгу Working From Home - Karen Mangia - Страница 11

When you see me on a Zoom call, you'll notice that a black‐and‐white photo hangs inside a simple black frame on the wall behind me. It's a picture of Maxwell Street in Chicago circa 1938 – a reminder of a special time, of someone who was very special to me.

As a little girl, I sat at the feet of my grandmother, listening to her tales of the magical market that lit up the short three blocks known as Maxwell Street – a place of wonder and fascination from her childhood to mine. What do you have around you that reminds you of who you are? Of where you've come from? Of the people who've gone before so that you can be who you are?

Hang pictures that inspire you. Mementos. Artifacts. Small items no bigger than a shot glass or ones that are as big as a motorcycle – whatever it is that feeds your soul and fits into your space. Place items nearby that remind you of what you've done – or to spark what you're going to do. We all stand on the shoulders of so many who have paved the way before. Who are those people, for you? In your home office, your choices are truly your own. The history, hopes, and dreams of my family and friends are a source of inspiration and comfort on every kind of day.

On my desk, in front of me, I see the box of cards from my three goddaughters. They wanted to inspire me while I was writing this book, so they sat down and wrote about 50 handwritten notes. (You'll have to check out my next book, Listen Up! [Wiley, 2020], if you want to meet the most amazing three girls on the entire planet, https://tinyurl.com/wfh-listenup. But I digress.)

When I'm feeling a little low, or a little quarantined (are you with me?), I reach into the box for a fistful of encouragement. I just pulled one out. The envelope is addressed to me, so it's like a miniature present with my name written under a big red heart. Like all of the cards, it's unsealed for easy access. This note happens to be from Lorelei (she won the Most Likely to Become a Leader award, at her virtual sixth grade graduation): “Don't give up!” it says, in multi colored markers, with a revised “e” next to a big exclamation point. She's not afraid to be bold. I like her style. “I am very proud of you and proud that I know you. So don't lose hope. – Lorelei”

How awesome is that? I'm lucky to have an entire box of inspiration right here on my desktop. Hope by the handful. How about you? What picks you up when the workday gets you down?

What is in your field of view, right now, that encourages you? What reminds you of who you are – and pushes you toward who you are yet to be? Surround yourself with the mementos and reminders that reflect your heart, so that your mind can function more effectively.