Life has a way of presenting defining moments that can forever shape your journey. Whether a moral question is presented, or a personal or professional challenge, each of these moments provide an opportunity to grow.  These moments can be seemingly small and otherwise insignificant, where only in retrospect its significance shows itself.  These moments can also be seismic and create the proverbial “fork in the road”.  But regardless of how large or small these defining moments are when they arrive, the goal should be to best take advantage of each moment and to grow into a stronger and better person.

Now I’ll be the first to say that I’ve been met many times with disappointment and have made mistakes along the way. But I’ve discovered three things that have helped me identify and respond to defining moments presented to me on my journey.

• Be Present

Much has been written about mindfulness. For me, practicing mindfulness gives me time to redirect my intentions to the present.  I do this by taking time each day to simply breathe.  Sometimes, this meditation goes for only a minute or two. Other days, this meditation can last for twenty to thirty minutes. With the many obligations that I have including my family and serving my clients, this practice allows me to be intentional about focusing on the present. It helps me see things clearly as they are. By focusing on the present, defining moments present themselves with remarkable clarity.

• Be Proactive

I’m sure the notion that something can just “fall in your lap” happens from time to time.  But in my experience, defining moments have required activation when presented to me. Here, it is critical to be proactive in your approach of going after opportunities.  I’ve been very lucky to have great mentors and support systems throughout my life who have encouraged (and sometimes pushed me) to take chances and seize opportunities.  In my experience, some of the best opportunities presented to me were disguised as “hard work.” I encourage everyone to take that chance and be proactive when opportunity appears.

• Be Positive

Being positive in the wake of disappointment is essential to taking advantage of defining moments in our lives.  This is to say, while disappointment is inevitable, how one responds is a choice.  I’ve been told “no” many times, and each time, hindsight tells me what was not meant to be.  Being positive affords an opportunity to receive your next defining moment.  I live by the mantra given to me by my father, “I am positive, and therefore positive things will happen to me.” This simple phrase has carried me on my journey.

In the coming days, months, and years we all will be presented with defining moments in our lives. Take advantage of these moments by being present.  Receive these moments by being positive. Seize these moments by being proactive.  Cheers to the defining moments in all of our lives, and may each moment be fully received.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.