Do You Suffer From "What's Next" Syndrome?

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The last few week’s have been an absolute whirlwind in the Scarlet world! Thankfully, it’s been a pleasant whirlwind. The phenomenal feature of our work by Rhonda Walker on WDIV TV 4 has created a great deal of buzz for us and we’re thankful to their entire production team and staff.

This exciting buzz has certainly attributed to our next few months, which are filled with exciting opportunities from dinner parties across the country where we’ll be teaching hands on dinner party etiquette to adults in a fun dining setting, to our venture into our 9th state (Kentucky) and even our first international opportunity in London in October. But, before we hop on another plane, before another taxi is hailed or before we hear All Aboard from the conductor once again, we must pause for this most important cause…

There has and always is this other thing that we are ALL constantly dealing with; the issue of “what’s next”? I am an advocate of continuously looking ahead and asking what’s the next move, the next angle or the newest innovative idea to make some substantial change in the lives that we touch and the work that we do. While there is clearly nothing wrong with that mindset, it can be a detriment to your well-being. I mean, if you’re always wondering what’s next, you’re never truly enjoying the what’s now! You’ll be working, brainstorming, strategizing, sacrificing and grinding all for the benefit of just working strategizing, sacrificing and grinding. Where does the relaxing, traveling, splurging or just being come in to play? When will you just take a mere 24 hours and genuinely be proud of your accomplishments, celebrate just a little, then get back to business?

Try using these 3 tips to ensure that you are celebrating your accomplishments, instead of quickly acknowledging them and whisking off to the next item on your never ending to-do list:

Thank Your Team – Someone likely helped you with this awesome task. Take a moment to genuinely thank them. Can you believe that there are some managers, some team members and some leaders who NEVER thank their teams? A simple thank you is the most genuine and inexpensive way to recognize someone.
Treat Yourself – Treating yourself isn’t always splurging on the newest gadget, the latest handbag or a luxurious trip to an all-inclusive. It can be something simple, like giving yourself permission to just unplug. Chances are, money doesn’t manifest out of thin air for you, so take advantage of small ways to treat yourself that don’t break the bank.
Acknowledgement – Take a deep breathe, somewhere alone or in a comfortable space and say “I’m proud of _______________________ (whatever your accomplishment is)“. Things are much more real when they are said aloud. You can think something all day long, but when its said, it’s real and even more believable. Acknowledge to yourself that you’ve done this, your proud of it and happy to have done it.

Scarlet Says… if you too suffer from the “what’s next” syndrome, it’s not all bad news. Let’s face it, there are lots of people who live in the now and never in the what’s next, so someone has to do it. But, avoid missing the opportunity to bask in your now. Your ability to celebrate you, your team, your wins and even the painful losses is how you get to your next. While I constantly recommend and advocate that we show good etiquette to others, the ability to show good etiquette to yourself, to be proud of your accomplishments and reflect on them before moving on, is the best recipe for life balance for personal fulfillment and for success.

Until next time…