Event 4: Conference Workshop

"If you died today, what would your obituary say about you if those who wrote it had to base it off the last two weeks of your life?"

This line stood out to me during a workshop about creating a positive environment. The speaker gave us a little bio on herself. She was a teacher, worked with kids of all ages, felt the "burn out", went through family lows, felt failures, felt defeated, and felt the day to day of everyday life. She also received three degrees and raised children and is a wife, daughter, friend. She decided to help herself and turn her life around. She chose to just do, to live bigger, to live with less fear and more confidence. She started a consulting company- worked on money management- moved her family across the country and then bought a lavender farm where she formed a family compound and enjoys every single minute- the ups and even the downs.

 She talked to us about how a negative space can cause employees to be negative, or students to be negative, and how acknowledging others on the smallest accomplishments is one of the biggest stepping stones. She spoke about how you, as a manager or leader, are very much responsible for that positive space even though you can't be the one to decide how someone will walk into that space each day.

 Her question about the obituary made me think.....not on how morbid it sounds to think of being dead but to think of how I have been as a human being in the last two weeks. I know last week I was noticeably happier and energetic than I am this week. But today was just a bad day and I sure hope no one came across me today. It made me think if that was visible to others and if there was a way I could have changed all of that? Would they say I enjoyed my time here? Would they say I tried to make a difference? Did I help others? Did I change others? Did I know that I was important to so many people? Was I mean or was I understanding? It really makes you think of your actions and how you conduct yourself as a person, a friend, a mentor, a boss, a leader, or someone that is looked up to. How do my staff perceive me each day and how do I present myself each day?

 This can be tied directly to YDEV work by being that leader for these kids. For those in negative communities and environments- am I being that light for them? Do they know they are important and have a voice, and do not have to be a product of those around them? Do I let them feel as if they can grow and change and BE the change? It is also a great time to let youth know the same thing this lesson taught me and we should help them, guide them, encourage them to be the best version of themselves.

 What would your obituary say about you?

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