On Reflection and Recognizing the Work

Last year, I was named a Notable Emerging Leader by Twin Cities Business Magazine. At the time, I didn’t stop to really take it in. I kept moving, kept working, kept pouring myself into the next challenge.

Now, months later, I’m only beginning to let that recognition land.

That’s often how the work of change feels — in the moment, it’s messy, difficult, and rarely as rewarding as you want it to be. You push forward not because it’s easy, but because you believe in what’s possible on the other side. And when you’re in the middle of it, it can feel like nothing you’re doing is enough.

But stepping back, I can see it differently. I can see that the effort, the persistence, and the risks taken do matter. I can see that the work has weight — even when it doesn’t feel that way in real time.

This recognition is a reminder of something I want to share with anyone reading: take time to acknowledge yourself. Compliment yourself. Reflect on what you’ve already carried, created, or changed. Because the truth is, the impact of our work is often clearer in hindsight than in the moment.

The mirror doesn’t just show you who you are — it shows you what you’ve been building all along.

So my invitation is this: step back, take a look at your reflection, and try to understand how important the work you are doing really is. Even if it feels invisible, even if it feels unfinished — it matters more than you realize.