![\"Living](\"https:\/\/smps.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/doug-parker-bod.jpg\")
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In 2017, after 20 years of navigating a carefully planned career, I faced a personal crisis that turned my life upside down. I quickly found myself in a world where strategy, planning, and order were useless and intuition, instinct, and experience ruled. At the time, I had been the primary caretaker for my mother who was battling Alzheimer\u2019s and was also a Type 1 diabetic. My life had become 100% consumed with how to keep her safe and well cared for.<\/p>\n
Six months after she succumbed to complications from dementia, I took a risk and quit my job of nearly nine years as CMO for a firm I loved dearly to embark on a one-year sabbatical. I set out to discover myself, the world, and what \u201cnext\u201d would look like. I used the term \u201cOff Track\/On Purpose\u201d to define my new journey and shared my story publicly through Facebook and with SMPS during a MAX Talk at 2018 Build Business.<\/p>\n
I find it fascinating how that time in my life \u2013 filled with risk, fear, uncertainty, and self-imposed disorder \u2013 prepared me for the world we live in today. At the start of my sabbatical, after a few unscheduled weeks (hard for a self-proclaimed Type A control freak), I calmed down and set goals for my journey. I committed to four principles that literally ruled my life for the next year: say \u201cyes\u201d to opportunity; be present in the moment; embrace the uncomfortable; and love the journey.\u00a0These are ideals I strive to live by today and how I\u2019m coping with a world affected by COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Never in our lives has so much been out of control or unpredictable. In 2008, we knew a recession was coming \u2013 or at least knew it was a possibility. Today, I find myself once again battling feelings of fear, helplessness, frustration, and disorder despite my commitment to pivot and shift to keep things moving forward\u2014as our world changes so radically, so quickly. Those aren\u2019t feelings I want in my life\u2014and it made me think back to 2017 again but in a different way.<\/p>\n
In October of that year, I attended The Pinnacle Experience where Jeff Hurt, a specialist in adult learning, led a presentation titled \u201cThe Neuroscience of Innovation.\u201d During his discussion, he shared an idea about brain health that hit home with me: He explained how taking time at the end of the day to evaluate and record two things learned as \u00a0key takeaways is a beneficial exercise to stimulate the brain. Following Pinnacle, I started writing my personal \u201cDaily Takeaways\u201d and posting them to Facebook as a way to stay accountable.<\/p>\n
By recording two important things each day, I have become much more present in the moment and aware of things as they happen. Even now, working from home with a life transported to a virtual reality and uncertainty if my recently launched business will thrive or even survive, I see examples show up all the time. Here are the principles I use to keep me grounded. I hope they will help you as we strive for normalcy through uncertainty.<\/p>\n
In your personal and work lives, I hope you\u2019ll take time to reflect on the things in your day that bring a smile or are a lesson learned. Our world is uncertain right now and a little off track. But, with intention, reflection, and focus on what\u2019s important to \u201ctakeaway\u201d each day, we\u2019ll get through this. I wish you health and happiness, and that you find your purpose every day. And, mostly, that my story as a caretaker, risk taker, and fellow marketer trying to make my way brings you comfort and a little inspiration.<\/p>\n
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