Sustaining Direction in the Face of Distractions
When global, national or local events impact our concentration and focus at work and at home, it’s time to take a step back, to pause and catch our breath, and refocus on what drives us from within. With all the divisiveness and distraction of the recent election season, that time to pause and regroup is now. Despite external stressors and more proximate pressures, beneath the reactivity and static, lies our fundamental sense of who we are, what we value, and why we do what we do every day.
Everyday contributions help keep us grounded, and they are what set the tone and climate around us. To quote Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire of Canada: “We carry our morals into immoral situations.” And so we carry our values into whatever challenging situations we find – at work and at home, on personal, professional and global levels. There is great benefit in meaningful engagement, to exercise our skills at a level that is both productive and satisfying. That engagement, in and of itself, provides momentum to move us forward. We need to ask ourselves, “What is important about what I do, how does it contribute to the world in a way that I value, and how do I express my values through my work?” Then take the power we have to make a difference, make that difference right here, and in the larger community as well.
The WorkLife Office is here to help you do that – to work toward your goals, consistent with your values and inherent motivations, even in the face of challenging and uncertain times. Let your passion motivate you toward meaningful, satisfying engagement, that makes an empowering difference. Let us help you find the resources to support you in your passion, and let that be an anchor in turbulent times, so we can be more effective and fulfilled in our shared mission of education.
Some resources that you might find helpful include:
Classes, workshops and resources through Health4U, ElevateU, Human Resources and Academic Advancement Network
Resources for Difficult Conversations in the Classroom
Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
Intercultural Education Network
Reflect and Connect series
Explore innovative ways to work at the MSU Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology
Supporting your engagement,
Dr. Barbara Roberts, Executive Director, MSU WorkLife Office
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