Freedom
One of our four core values is Freedom. As summer opens before us, a time to explore and spread our wings, it is helpful to reflect on what freedom means to us in our work here at CCS. Freedom can mean a lot of things. In a country where you are free to do or be anything, how do you choose? The opportunities are endless. The idea can be overwhelming. Mastering time, by first defining what we cherish most and then spending more of our time on those things, is a good way to narrow down all the choices.
When we think of mastering time, it can help to think in terms of what we at CCS call the Four Big Questions.
The first two questions “Who am I?” and “What do I cherish?” help us to define our purpose; our direction. Here at CCS, we say that we are loving people. We cherish safe, stable, nurturing relationships; simple financial prosperity; good health; and peace and happiness.
We answer the third question, “What do we need to learn,” by seeking knowledge and skills that help us and those we serve to sustain great relationships, good health, and a simple financial prosperity. We practice Sanctuary® trauma-informed care and promote honest, compassionate communication, mindfulness meditation, civic engagement, Blue Zones® health and wellness, and financial literacy.
The final question revolves around time – “What do I need to do with my time?” This question challenges us to look at how we are spending our most valuable resource – time. In the non-profit world, our plates are always full and overflowing. There are plenty of tasks and deadlines to keep us busy around the clock, but what about those things in life that do not have a deadline, like learning to play a musical instrument or spending time with a beloved aunt? Mastering time means spending more of our time on what we cherish most.
How do we keep procrastination at bay when it comes to things that matter without deadlines? Learn a little bit more about how a procrastinating brain works and what we can do to keep our “panic monster” in check in this TedTalk.