This past weekend, leading into Canada Day, always feels like the unofficial start of summer.
After a wonderful long weekend spent surrounded by family and friends, the house is finally quiet again. This morning, with a cup of coffee in hand, I found myself thinking about the months ahead.
Summer always feels a little different.
The pace changes.
The days are longer.
Our routines become a little less structured.
And somehow, we finally have the space to think about the projects we've been needing to tackle.
If you're anything like me, you've probably been keeping a mental list all year of the things you'll finally have time to do "this summer."
I certainly had mine.
Then, almost overnight, an unexpected project landed on my desk. It wasn't one I had planned or one I was particularly excited about, but it is important, and it needs my attention.
Funny how quickly that list can change.
Isn't that how life works sometimes?
We carefully map out our priorities, only to discover that life has a different agenda.
The key isn't avoiding the unexpected—because that's impossible.
The key is learning how to adjust without abandoning the things that matter most.
Sometimes we simply need to reshuffle the order.
As you settle into summer, I encourage you to think about your own list.
One of the things I've learned over the years is that successful people aren't successful because everything goes according to plan.
They're successful because they've learned to adjust the plan without losing sight of the destination.
Unexpected projects often lead us into unfamiliar territory. That's what makes them feel so overwhelming at first. The unknown can feel daunting. But once we begin, the path often becomes much clearer.
One of the things I often share with members who are feeling overwhelmed by Quality Assurance is this: you don't have to complete everything today. You simply have to take the next step.
A learning goal.
A course.
A reflection.
Another activity.
Before long, what once felt overwhelming begins to come together.
Maybe that's true for our summer projects as well.
We don't have to finish everything this week.
We simply have to decide what the next step is.
As you look ahead to your own summer projects, I hope you'll make time for the things you're excited about while giving yourself grace when life adds a few unexpected ones along the way.
Sometimes the projects we didn't choose end up teaching us the lessons we needed most.
Whether you're working on your Quality Assurance requirements, pursuing a new certification, improving a clinical skill, or finally tackling a project at work or at home that's been sitting on your list for months, remember this...
You don't have to complete the entire journey today.
Just take the next step.
After all, implementation isn't about waiting for perfect conditions.
It's about continuing to move forward.
One step.
One project.
One day at a time.
Whether you're spending Canada Day with family, friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment to yourself, I hope you find a little time this summer to work on the projects that matter most while giving yourself grace for the unexpected ones that may come along.
Wishing you a wonderful week and a very Happy Canada Day!
Warmly,
Kathleen
Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ President, rdhu
