Stopping Takes Courage, Too

How often do you pause to evaluate the positive impact of subtraction? Every day we evaluate opportunities to improve our lives or those of others. Many of these choices involve adding or committing to something new. Subtracting returns your time to you. I’ve been considering this a lot since reading Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less by Leidy Klotz. What have you stopped recently?

This week I opened my email and found an announcement of closure from Leadership Victoria. Working in my garden today I paused to think about the impact of this announcement and noticed these rose blossoms in various stages of development brightening the world together. Soon the old flowers will disappear, making way for new blossoms to inspire each other. While Leadership Victoria may be closed, the people involved will continue to create, motivate and inspire positive change wherever they go.

It takes courage to start something new. In 2001, local leaders created an organization that over the past 21 years has helped hundreds of people build relationships and increase their collaborative leadership abilities. Thank you to those who came before me and supported LV and its process. Your questions and desire to improve the lives of others built an organization with a powerful impact. 

It also takes courage to close an organization with these achievements and history, to recognize that the time has come to let new organizations blossom. The weight of this decision involved many unknowns (like decisions to start something new) and also 20+ years of known success. I took courage to end that story so that new ones can be written. Thank you to those on the final Board of Directors who made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization.

While my personal involvement with LV was short, its impact will continue for a long time. Through Leadership Victoria I met my current boss, one of the most empathetic leaders I know. I count multiple LV alumni among my coaching clients. I learned, volunteered and served as a Board member alongside individuals who came together to help others follow their adventurous dreams. My experience in the Community Leadership Development program helped me recognize that the time was right to start my coaching and facilitation practice. The lives of those I met through Leadership Victoria continue to inspire me.

Stopping and starting both take courage. Stop today and celebrate your courage!