Chip Headley

Recently we relaunched chipheadley.com with a new more focused approach. This got me thinking about new beginnings. I realized that our lives are all about new beginnings. From learning to walk, going to school for the first time, first date, first apartment, marriage, new job, first child, etc. It is also about moving on after the loss of a partner, parent, child, business, or dream. Life is a series of new beginnings.

 

I’ve become focused on being intentional around each new beginning. This starts by asking myself and our team, “what does this make possible?” This changes my focus from overly excited about positive beginnings or dwelling in how things used to be and orients my mind to make the most of a new beginning.

 

For example, when my former partner and I unexpectedly had to sell our self-storage company a few years ago it allowed me to take some time and plan the next chapter of my life. It wasn’t what we wanted. It wasn’t the plan, but our financial partners wanted to take a different path. Our plan was interrupted. That new beginning led to the development of a plan that resulted in the founding of Artistry Hotels. I figured out how to spend more time with my family, especially my wife. I created a plan to finish my doctorate (I’m still working on that one). A new beginning that we didn’t want, made a new path possible. In this case, one that is challenging professionally and rewarding personally.

 

New beginning can be an act of intentionality. We don’t have to stay where we are. We may not be able to affect change overnight, but we can change our story. It may be corny, but it is true, a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

 

New beginnings can come from serendipity. Intentionality is important, but leaving enough margin in our lives for serendipity is too! I’m working on that balance. I hope you are too.

 

New beginnings are all around us. What does your new beginning make possible?