I was recently introduced to the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis and it got me thinking about how I’m living my “dash.” The premise of the poem is that at some point we are all represented by a date range — a date of birth and the date we died — but what’s most important is the dash in between.
It represents how we lived our lives–not what we owned or amassed, but the lives we created and the friendships we nourished.
I’ve found that living my dash at home is easy. I’m being more conscious about slowing down, paying attention, making sure that each day has plenty of time for laughter, connection, smiles, curiosity and thoughtful conversation.
How do you make the most of your dash at work? For me it’s about connecting with individuals. It’s about finding ways to help others shine and be successful; showing more appreciation; foregoing email to have a conversation in person or over the phone; stepping out of my comfort zone to take on a new assignment and build new connections.
My challenge to you (should you choose to accept it):
Take a minute today to think about how you’re living your dash, both at home and in your career.
Erin is an Account Lead at Blue Beyond and has been consulting for profit and nonprofit organizations for more than a decade. Erin offers expertise in strategic visioning, change leadership, organizational effectiveness, and talent development. She holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Dispute Resolution.
