Many years ago, I heard this expression. It’s a translation of a Chinese saying which means don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Simply put, have a contingency plan. It was shared with me in the context of future professional development and the ability to pivot if needed. It was meant to open my eyes and ground me in reality vs pie-in-sky thinking. 

Maybe it was who said it to me. Maybe it was when it was said to me. Maybe it was what I didn’t want to hear yet needed to hear so badly. Or, maybe all of the above…In retrospect, I was, indeed, naive at that time and, to a great degree, tunnel-visioned. 

That conversation reached inside to the pit of my stomach, shook me up and forced me to consider the prudence of diversifying and expanding my horizon. Thankfully, my fantasy thinking came to a halt.  Without doubt, this piece of wisdom set in motion a series of reflections, decisions and, ultimately, changes that turned my world upside down. It was the best thing that I never knew that I needed.

All these years, keeping that concept top of mind has been very important. In my case, the sight of a rabbit invariably triggers my recall of that long-ago conversation and reinforces the philosophy in which I so strongly believe. So, in ways that are both evident (like this collage that I created) as well as subtle, I make sure to keep the image present. When we connect the dots and ask ourselves how we might solve a situation or address an issue, knowledge can be transferable across  life domains, even if years have passed. 

If you think back over the course of your life, I imagine that you, too, have heard a piece of advice, a concept or a phrase, read a passage or seen an image that has impacted you, inspired you, scared you or possibly compelled you forward. If you identify something that is significant for you, how do you keep it present for yourself?