As the year winds down, I find myself with a ton of possibilities and instead of being thrilled at the opportunity I’m just overwhelmed.

I’ve spent over a year getting ready for this move to California and now that my family and I are finally settled in, I’m at a bit of a loss on what my next steps will be.  I’ve so been focused on getting everyone else settled in (Wild Boy into school with friends, the husband set up in his new CA law practice) that it’s difficult to realize that I can get out of my holding pattern.

During this time of contemplation, I’ve been I keep wondering if the perfect job exists for me “out there” or if it is time to create the newest iteration of my future professional life.  I saw the following quote and it found it thought provoking.

I’ve spent a lot of time finding out a lot about myself.  I know in my heart that I’m a “helper” (dietitians often are) but I’m also a “connector” (via communications/marketing/promotions) and I enjoy the aspects of social media that I know about and I wonder if I can roll them all into my next professional step.

I’m lucky that I have a few opportunities in the hopper to keep my brain, body and social life engaged in the future.  On the professional front, I am certain that I could find “a” job and be good at it (my work ethic is incredibly strong) but I do not want to give myself over to some other entity ever again.  I have a tendency to get wrapped up in a job.   I go “all in” and burn out.

My present and my future are more important to me now than they ever have been.  I want to be engaged in my life, work and family.  I know that I’ve changed since entering the working world and my definition of professional “success” is so much different than I ever expected.  I’m pretty amazed at how much work and life balance has become paramount over just work and being extraordinary at my job.

Maybe 2013 is the year I craft that work/life balance into something extraordinary for myself.  We’ll see.