Travel leads all of us into an exciting, chaotic, often unpredictable world. That uncertainty changes us — forcing us to grow beyond what we know to become someone stronger, wiser and more resilient.

At Terranea last September, we had the privilege of hearing from DeDe Halfhill, a retired Colonel from the United States Air Force. Of her many excellent points, one particularly resonated with me. Halfhill wisely advised the group to “embrace the chaos.”

I left her presentation pondering all the potential meanings of that phrase, and how it could mean different things to different people. For me, it felt intensely timely and intensely personal. It felt like a reminder to be gentle with myself. I’m a work-in-progress, and while I’ve learned an extraordinary amount, I still have work to do.

To mirror Halfhill, I’m learning to embrace the chaos. People often ask me, “How do you do it all?” From the outside looking in, I know what they see, and I also know the reality of how it works. They’re asking how I manage to take care of myself, my husband, my two young daughters and family, while also leading a dynamic team and giving back to our community. The question is complex, but the answer is simple.

I don’t do it all, and I have no desire for perfection. In fact, I’m content with being perfectly imperfect. Most importantly, I give myself a lot of grace. That grace, coupled with the conviction of my faith, a determination to grow my perspective, and extreme gratitude for each new day are my secrets to “doing it all.”

To embrace the chaos — either personally or professionally — begins by being accountable and vulnerable, flexible and transparent. You must surround yourself with wise people who share your vision, embracing help in all its forms. It’s about knowing your limitations and using whatever self-care or anti-stress methods you find most meaningful.

I’ve found there a few a guiding principles that impact how I approach each day.

Adaptability

Once upon a time, I was a basketball player. As an athlete, I went all in — from physical conditioning to a deep pursuit of understanding the game itself. When I trained hard, when my focus was keenly attuned, I was prepared to rely on my instincts the moment the game plan changed. I could make a quick, informed decision because I had prepared to expect the unexpected. Today, the basketball court and high tops have given way to hotel lobbies and high heels, but the ability to adapt to an ever-evolving marketplace has served me well.

Gratitude

This one sounds easy, and it is — on a good day. Having gratitude on the impossibly hard days is admittedly more challenging. Embracing the chaos means choosing to be happy and grateful, especially on those tough days. When I’m in the eye of the storm — and I know we all have those moments — I want to actively choose to acknowledge there’s greatness in me. I am enough for this day, and I’m grateful for all of it — the messy, the unbalanced, the uncertainty. Each day is a gift, bring on the chaos. It doesn’t ruin my day. In fact, it just made me stronger.

Prioritize

The best way to inspire others is to be inspired yourself. I intentionally seek out the wisdom of others, trying to broaden my perspective so I’m ready to lead. I’ve learned that one of the best ways to be an effective leader is to know your own priorities. I recently heard Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings share her priorities: faith, family, career. Mine are identical.

Excellence

The pursuit of excellence inspires me every single day. Jennings also said, ‘‘If you chase excellence, it will be hard. It’s not the weight you carry, it’s the way you carry it.” I’m determined to embrace this life I’ve built — and in so doing embrace the ways in which I’ve failed, made wrong decisions, messed up and then fought my way back. It goes back to those priorities I mentioned: a foundation of faith, plus surrounding myself with wise counsel who encourage me at every step. I cannot overstate the value of surrounding yourself with people who make you better. Embrace their wisdom within the storm.

Perspective

At some point in my career, I began to recognize that uncertainty in all of its forms — from a day that goes sideways with unexpected challenges to a global pandemic beyond my control — is just a part of the journey. I now know that I will always have balls in the air, but I can identify which are porcelain and will shatter on impact, and those that are rubber and will bounce when dropped.

I challenge you to “embrace the chaos” of your own journeys, both personal and professional. May these words serve to help you establish your own framework that weaves meaning and intention into that path. My hope is that you, too, will begin to feel fulfilled moment-by-moment as you strive to lead your own teams to greatness.