From Living Brave. . . . Finishing Strong. . . Whitney Kleinhenz, age 40

Whitney Kleinhenz, contributor and age 40, answers the question:

DURING THIS QUARTER, WHAT WILL YOU CULTIVATE WITHIN YOURSELF TO ENSURE CONTINUED GROWTH?

I’ve found myself on a path of self-reflection, self-awareness, and confidence I didn’t possess when I entered this phase of my life. And these new discoveries won’t continue to flourish if I don’t tend to them, pay attention, and do the work so they stick with me and I don’t revert back to old behaviors.

It’s easy to go back to sleep, to move to autopilot, instead of taking the time to continue to get to know myself as I continue to grow and evolve, and to find opportunities for growth all around. Not to beat myself up or agonize over a mistake or a challenge, but to see it as a way I can continue to become myself, grow into who I am. I use it as a learning moment to do better, do differently the next time.

Constant challenges and roadblocks will fall into my path, and I must utilize them as opportunities for growth. I can examine the situation and put my self-reflection, self-awareness, and confidence into practice to keep these challenges from becoming destabilizing or debilitating. I have the strength to work through a problem. I have the ability to overcome a challenge. I am enough.