What’s In It For You?

By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Columnist

Taking care of self will allow you to assist others.

I think we can all agree that the pandemic has changed our lives, in more ways than we could have ever imagined. It has limited family gatherings and other traditional celebrations, it has limited attendance at church, travel, workplace culture, and a host of other practices, which, for centuries, we took for granted.

Shaking hands, sharing a hug, or going to celebrate a meal at that favourite restaurant is now so limited, not through everyone’s volition, but also through the dictates of the government. The times, they are a-changing.

However, during this strange transition to a new way of living, there are certain standards that will never change. The most important being, “Wherever I go, there I am”. That being the case, we all need to protect ourselves — physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually — because there is no one out there rooting for you 24 hours a day.

Consequently, it is an imperative, not an option, that you put yourself first, in order to ensure your survival and the ability to assist others.

To do this takes courage, because the mantra has always been to focus on others, not self, because there will be a judgement of you being an egotist.

So, how can personal development be meaningful for survival during challenges?

1. Focus on who you are, rather than what you do.
2. Identify your strengths.
3. Use past mistakes as stepping-stones to develop yourself.
4. Use your personal beliefs as your guide.
5. Ignore what others think, if the advice is contrary to your standards.
6. Listen to your heart.
7. Focus on how you feel and what you are thinking, not on how your actions are interpreted.
8. Stop watching the clock — imitate it — keep on keeping on.
9. Continue praying.

In Sisterhood!

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com