It’s February 2024 – the month that contains the leap day in this leap year. Leap year is the scrappy little work-around that keeps our calendars in sync with the seasons and gives us 366 rather than 365 days in our trip around the sun.
If the label holds true, this is a good time for taking leaps, big and small.
Part of my leap for this year has to do with the theme of fruitfulness. It’s helping me bring a more lighthearted focus to my work. It’s a leap of faith to emphasize fruitfulness over productivity as a professional disposition, but it feels more satisfying to my spirit.
Is there something at work you want to move toward that would add some bounce in your step? What would you leap toward if you knew you wouldn’t sprain anything in the process?
Leaps don’t have to be momentous or flashy. Perhaps you are interested in a leap of perspective, generosity, or patience. If you’re not sure how or where to leap, try any of these to get your imagination going:
- Have a meeting with at least one other person where the only agenda topic is to reflect on what is going well on a specific project.
- What one step or leap-ette would enhance that momentum?
- Chat with someone whose work-ethic you admire, and ask them what they like about doing good work.
- Is there something in their approach that would help your efforts feel more satisfying or joyful?
- Let your mind wander toward the wild ideas you have about how something at work could be more engaging or creative.
- Wind up that idea and let it spring into action in your mind. Outline, draw, or describe why this idea energizes you. (It’s good fuel for leaping.)
If you took one small step in any of these areas this month, what giant leap might it yield throughout the year? (Because remember: March 4th – March Forth! – is on the horizon!)
