This will be the last in our Harry Potter series.  Over the past few weeks we have covered self-doubt and running out of magic, prioritization and golden snitches, and connecting with others and the power of a pensieve.  We will close out this series by focusing on fighting dementors with your patronus.

It is said that when dementors are around you, everything grows cold, dark, and sad.  Dementors are these dark shadowy creatures that suck the joy, happiness, and life out of people.  If you’re a muggle, you’re probably wondering how you combat a dementor.  You do this with the Patronus Charm, which allows the spell caster to shoot out a bright shining shield of positivity called a patronus.  A simple patronus will look like a white shining ball while a powerful patronus will often take on the form of some kind of animal.  In order for the Patronus Charm to work the caster must dig deep within themselves to find their hope, life, and brightness, flourish their wand, and exclaim “Expecto patronum.”  (Some of you are like, Expecto Patronum sounds like a fancy tequila.  If you weren’t thinking it.  You are now.  You’re welcome.)

So you’re probably wondering what this has to do with work.  When I mentioned that dementors suck the joy, happiness, and life out of people, did anyone or anything pop into mind?  If you’re anything like me, different projects, situations, and even some people popped into my head.  The fact is stuff happens at work and in life that drains us.  Sometimes life surrounds us with negativity and saps our strength.  When this happens we need to find the fuel for our patronus aka our happiness, our why, our reason for doing what we do.  The only way you can fight darkness and tough times is with some hope, purpose, and grit.  Once we find these things, we need to latch onto them, so we can fight back those dementors that try to suck the life out of us.  What’s your why?  What’s your reason that keeps you going through tough times? 

The challenge: What is your fuel for your patronus?  Will you be ready to shout, “Expecto patronum” when the dementors come?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry