Hello 2021- I've been waiting for you...

A personal perspective on what 2021 should mean for all of us.

Happy New Year! Are you excited about what’s to come?

It’s true. I have been waiting for 2021. I’ve been thinking about this moment since July 2020 when I had my second baby and left on maternity leave. Over the last six months, I have been: exploring many different opportunities, preparing for my return to work, on the journey to get my mind and body to a place I need it to be, intentional about my #growthmindset, mindful about about motivates me, and most importantly, continuing to give back in a way that matters.

While the year could have started off much better for all of us (I might be referring to the Capitol riots, difficulties experienced by governments to logistically coordinate vaccines to the right places and people, the continuous restrictions, lockdowns and “curfews” put in place, or the failed resolutions we held ourselves accountable for), the year 2021 is going to be the best one yet. Why? Because you’ve been waiting for it, and you are prepared to take your next step forward…

On November 15, 2020, I sent a text to my close friends and family. I was confused when the majority of them didn’t even acknowledge (until I followed up and reassured them it did indeed come from me). I had an idea I wanted to give birth to, to nurture, and to see transform every day, and I was determined to give it everything I had. (BTW- I’m referring to COMWUNE, not the baby- I was already doing that!).

This is what I wrote:

Hello! I hope this note finds you well! I don’t know about you but 2020 has triggered different emotions and sentiments but most importantly, deep reflection for me. The pandemic has forced us inside, pulling us away from our families, friends, and work teams. For some, they have adjusted fairly well but for others, it has been a time of isolation and concern coupled with a deep fear of the unknown. The last few months have completely redefined how we live, how we work, and how we make new and valuable connections. 

This is why I’ve decided to dedicate my time and pour my creative energy into building a community of women who are inspired to come together, network, share knowledge and experiences, and learn from one another. 

Please consider joining “COMWUNE” if you:

- are looking to build out your personal and professional network;

- are looking to connect with like-minded women in a similar profession;

- are currently looking for your next role or looking to hire for one;

- are looking at developing and refining specific skills;

- are hoping to connect as either a Mentor or Mentee

- find yourself wanting to meet new people from around the world  

If so, let me know. Let’s build our commune together. 

You can find COMWUNE as a group on LinkedIn and on Instagram. Spread the word! 

Fast forward to today. For those who haven’t seen it, I posted a video last week promoting our next session, and I decided to include the baby since he had just woken up from this nap. Part way through my address, he vomited on me, and I tried to maintain my composure- but I couldn’t! The video could have been different (after all, I was going on my 8th take). But it wasn’t. It was real. It was unedited. It was AUTHENTIC. It had more engagements (views and comments) than I had anticipated.

If 2020 put ANYTHING front and center, it was that we are all humans, and the pandemic impacted each and every one of us.

Humans have the same basic needs (see Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) but like any pyramid, there’s the top and at the top of Maslow’s is “self-actualization”. I think it’s safe to say that many of us are continuously working on this bit…

But like anything, we need to start somewhere and we need to start intentionally.

As I continue to build out content and sessions for my #COMWUNE community, there are three main considerations I’m using as the foundation:

1) Awareness

2) Accountability

3) Advocacy

I won’t define or add anything to the AAAs. I want you to take these three words, and apply it to your own life, and your respective journey as you seek to “trans form” that “something” within. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?

That said, it’s the beginning of a new week, and I decided I would start #journaling today.

I’d like to share what it says on the front page:

May we together learn

May we together grow

May our efforts bear fruit

May we not quarrel or resent each other

May we be in service to the whole

Here are some details for our last two sessions of January:

1) Prospecting for Gold- If you are in “Sales” (even if you don’t think you are, you are), join us as we explore research, prospecting and qualification. Most importantly, we’ll be sharing stories and experiences as we navigate the buyer’s journey and our place as their “guide”.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/133873251499

2) Authenticity & Self-Advocacy: Your Competitive Advantage

Registration link coming tomorrow!

If you haven’t yet, please follow @COMWUNE on Instagram and on LinkedIn. There I will be posting details of upcoming sessions as well as live IG sessions as we navigate through 2021 and address the topics that impact us all.

All my best,

Elizabeth