Wednesday, December 1, 2021 (Day 334)
Relaxing Music for the week: Moment of Grace: Liquid Mind (10:57) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16lYoIrmAEs
Question: What do you think of when you think about “the future?”
Answer: This is going to be another fun set of questions, since I’m thinking really hard about my future, more professionally than personally. I know I’m really interested in my professional path, since I’m ready to start my next chapter in my life.
When I think about the future, I think about the work I’m here to do on this planet, the work that God put me on this work to do. Right now, I’m thinking “what do I want to be doing five years from now?” – and it comes back to being in a “place” (center, studio, lab, makerspace) where I get to do Life Design Catalyst work on a daily basis, whether it’s doing it as a class, as workshops, in trainings, in individual meetings, etc. I’d be working with awesome colleagues, invested in the work just like myself. I would continue to create tools and activities that help people explore themselves at deeper levels, helping gain clarity and directions on their educational, career, and life endeavors. We would also be traveling together, where we would train others to do this work in their own setting education (higher education and K-12), churches, prisons, resource centers, etc. I would be happy if this “place” was at an institution, but would also be okay with it happening in a community center, innovation hub, or whatever. I know that it won’t be happening at UNCG, since they’ve rejected the idea THREE TIMES, so I’m ready to move on. It’s fun thinking about the possibilities, since it’s such a needed thing for so many people in the world right now.
So, that’s what I think about when I think about the future. It reminds me of this great quote:
“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labour and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself he always seems to be doing both. Enough for him that he does it well.” – Lawrence Pearsall (L.P.) Jacks
So, here’s to doing great work and play!
The Dream Dean 
I sooo love your posts. Would love to talk to you about your vision for the future. I see many similarities between what I want to do in the next couple of years and what you said. This work is NEEDED and EXTREMELY VALUABLE!!! Love the quote and will be adding it to my mental file. Peace & Blessings!!
Tanzania Nevels
tnevels@agnesscott.edu
Hi Tanzania! Thank you for your thoughtful comments! It’s greatly appreciated! Let’s find a way to have a chat…and would LOVE to share ideas about my future. Of course, I’ll be writing about this month for the blog, but feel free to send me a note at thedreamdean1@gmail.com and let’s see if we can set up a time to talk. P.S. The only time I know I WON’T be available is December 13-16, when I have my Life Design Catalyst Training. But let’s chat sooner rather than later, if that works for you!