19 Mar Head Down, Follow Through
You have probably heard the common golf swing advice – keep your head down and follow through. I can hear my mom saying it now, an encouraging reminder when we’re playing golf together. The purpose is to keep your eye on the ball at all times during your swing, even after you’ve made contact. The method is meant to promote consistency in your shot.
Some golf experts would tell you that the head down method might be killing your swing. You become so rigid and worried about moving your head that you’re not really executing your full capability. Plus, if you’re always keeping your eye on just the ball, you might miss out on the pretty wildflowers, or worse – the snacks and drinks cart.
You’ve probably already guessed this musing isn’t in reference to golfing, but rather a little ditty about how I brought ejspr.com to life (please use my golf advice at your own discretion).
Recently, I asked a close friend if she thought I was acquiring some compulsive behaviour with all my lists and scheduling. She reminded me that creating structure and purpose in our lives, especially during a pandemic, is a way to feel like you’re in control when external environments are unpredictable.
Most of my close friends and colleagues have already heard the tale of launching EJS PR in 2017. After deciding to leave full time employment to make the entrepreneurial leap, I took a three-month summer sabbatical to fully decompress and disconnect – to give myself space to manifest what I wanted my business to look like. I told myself that I would use that time off to prepare a detailed business plan, establish a new brand and, at minimum, get a website up and running.
I didn’t do any of that during my sabbatical. I did NOT keep my head down. I looked up and all around and realized how pausing with intention was going to change my life.
I believe in the power of setting intention with specific and measurable goals to get things done. You can ask some of my clients about my fixation on time blocking my entire week to make sure I get everything done, while leaving time for strategic thinking. Recently, I asked a close friend if she thought I was acquiring some compulsive behaviour with all my lists and scheduling. She reminded me that creating structure and purpose in our lives, especially during a pandemic, is a way to feel like you’re in control when external environments are unpredictable. Which is why I time blocked writing this on a Friday afternoon while sitting at the car dealership waiting for my car be serviced.
March 2021 marks the four-year anniversary for EJS PR. We’re alive and well. With amazing clients and challenging work, there’s little time or need for much digital marketing. So, what’s with the website?
Because it was on the list of things to do. A measurable goal to achieve.
Head UP, follow through.
Emma Shea, APR
Founder & Senior Strategist,
EJS Public Relations Inc
