As is tradition, I am thrilled to share a reflection from one of your Club Staff colleagues as the first ClubX Blog post of the new year. Britney Harris from the Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County writes today to help us start the year on the right path.
The last year was really hard for us all, with inflation at all time high and the world of work changing, members and their families needed us more than ever. Mental health was at the front of everyone’s mind and with work/life balance hanging in the rear-view mirror, this year I challenged my family and coworkers to try something new. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to change yourself, make one to be yourself, and to do things that make your heart happy. Embrace 2024 with open arms and a heart full of hope. For every new year brings fresh chapters unwritten, waiting to unfold into our stories.
Speaking of stories, don’t you just love the holidays when everyone gathers together and shares stories and memories old and new? Its like nostalgia overload for me and puts me right back in those moments in time. We have to hold on to the magic of those moments to get us through yet another year.
As we kickstart 2024, my question for you is are you in the race? What do you see as next for you in your daily work, and for your organization as a whole? Have you set those key metrics and goals, who do you need to tap in and collaborate with to help you along the way? As you take a moment to reflect and refocus, really think about how from whatever role you’re in, that you play a part, whether big or small. You’re an important member of the team. The funny thing is, there are no rules in this race, and we have can have as many team members as possible. Just think of how much of an advantage that will be if we are all working together to move forward our Mission, the impact it will have on our members, their families, and one another!
Now, we all know that because we operate along with the school year calendar that the start of a calendar year is really a halfway point for us, but this is still a good reflection point. There’s still time to make HUGE impact, but are you positioning yourself to really be all in and ultimately finish it well? Here are some reminders and tips that will help you stay motivated in the race.
First, you have to maintain your form. It’s hard, but you’ve got to maintain a solid form all the way to the end of a race. Your head should be looking straight ahead and focused directly on those key metrics and goals.
Second, control your breathing. It’s hard enough to control your breathing when you’re running at race pace, but it’s even harder when you start sprinting. If you feel yourself start to lose control of things and its’ moving too fast, slow down take a breath, reflect and refocus.
Third, stay relaxed. Once again, that word “relaxed” is mentioned when talking about racing. If you can relax during the start of a race, during the race, and at the end, it will be so much easier for you.
Lastly, be tough. I can give you all the tips in the world, but the greatest runners in the world have a kind of “go-getter instinct” which allows them to push through tremendous pain and launch incredible, last ditch sprints to catch competitors before the finish line. You must try to develop this attitude of not accepting losing and a willingness to push yourself and others to stay in the race and finish it.
Last year taught us what we needed to know, now it’s GO TIME. 2024 is here! I want everyone to get in the race but also remember that a race is not won in the first mile. Pace yourself while never losing momentum. Happy New Year!!!
What motivates you to stay in the race? How are you kicking off the new year? We want to hear! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
About Britney Harris
Britney Harris is a proud BGC Alumni, and has been in the Movement for 12+ years. She currently serves as the Project Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County in the great state of Texas, where she lives with her son.
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