“Learning begins by emptying your cup, so that you can fill it with what you find.”
– Leo Babauta
As I write this, I’m at a place in which my cup is very, very full. My polymath self has lots of ideas, commitments, and desires for my life. All of that is great. But there has to be balance, and that balance has to come from a very strong foundation of self-care, something I’m neglecting to a certain extent.
I’m embarking on a period of re-evaluation — of my life’s path, my various commitments, etc. I do this every now and again, and I always find some clarity that is important for my next steps.
In terms of the how, I’ve used different tools to re-evaluate over the years. Just a few examples:
- periods of silence in which I don’t try to force the questions but listen for what I’m supposed to hear (this is very, very hard!)
- long conversations with trusted friends exploring options, ideas, etc.
- engaging a coach for a truly external perspective, which can often shed light on things right in front of me that I’m not seeing
No matter what the methodology, the first step has to be scheduling time for it in your calendar. Don’t just wait until “the time is right.” Set a time to chat with a friend you trust. Make an appointment with your coach. Book your stay on an isolated retreat for some silence (or find a quiet nook in your local park).
I’m off to take my own advice. Time to empty the cup.
