We’re happy to share this perspective from Career Advisor at the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (and DAL committee member), Charla Smith.
Perspective:
a particular attitude toward or way of regarding
something; a point of view
In the years since COVID, I’ve often had to remind myself to keep life in “perspective.” It might sound a bit cliché, but how often do we truly think about our lives as a whole instead of just one day at a time? Probably not as often as we should—but it’s something we can gradually start doing.
So, how do you manage to keep perspective every day?
Do you pause to enjoy the little things?
Do you live each day like it’s your last?
Do you focus on something exciting in the future?
Or maybe you just push through the hard days, stress over the big things, and struggle to keep your goals in sight.
If I’m honest, I do all of these things—but not all at once and not every day. To keep life in perspective, I aim to strike a balance.
Each morning, I remind myself that I’m lucky to wake up alive. For those who know me, you know that grief and trauma have shaped my life in profound ways. I know some days will be harder than others, so I make it a point to take breaks and relax, even if it’s just dropping my shoulders during a stressful moment.
Life’s challenges don’t pause. As a parent of a teenager, stress is a constant companion, but I remind myself that the work I’m doing now will pay off in the long run.
Of course, not every day goes as planned. Some days feel completely off, and it’s easy to get stuck in frustration. When that happens, I try to step back and do a mental reset—a chance to recalibrate my perspective and move forward with a clearer mindset.
“Perspective.”
Some days, I’m simply thankful the day went well.
Some days, I reflect on what I could have done differently.
And some days, I laugh—or cry—looking back.
So, how do I put this into practice? Every night, as I get ready for bed, I take a moment to reflect. I think about how I can maintain perspective in both my professional and personal life. It’s a small ritual, but it makes a big difference.
As we move through 2025, I encourage you to do the same: add a little more “perspective” into your life. You might be surprised by how much it helps.
Directors As Leaders 