In coaching today* I had a profound insight! Until today I did not have a mental image of a healthy work identity. Literally drew blank when asked. Nothing.
So far I have more or less successfully lived off the typical ADHD bursts of focus and the subsequent cognitive hangovers. I don’t think I want, or will be able, to completely change this. As this is my brain at its optimum working mode, with hyper-focussed significant outputs and cognitive hangover for busy work.
What I want to change: feeling like Animal from the Muppets when working
Now the O.H. had an interesting proposition about my “I don’t want to feel like animal anymore!” conundrum.
He muses: “What is wrong with animal?”
So just FYI! Animal:
He said: animal is actually in control of the whole band. The animal (drummer) sets the beat with his foot for the whole band. He continued to explain that in ancient times rowing vessels would never have launched and left the harbour without the drum beat. He also said the drummer sets the beat for the whole band with his foot, while he is running a multitude of percussion surfaces with his arms. So he is actually working a very complex situation.
The O.H. adds: “If you dig past the outward …” [insert intensive gesticulation here]
I don’t want to abandon Animal, but I want to move past the [insert intensive gesticulation here] towards a more balanced work identity.
I want to stop spinning like tornado feeling constantly overwhelmed.**
Insert the Hiking Metaphor
Since I am always on the move, and love rambling, sauntering, hiking, Nordic Walking–a metaphor on the move seemed the most appropriate.
My favourite walk in the Cairngorms is not even challenging or difficult but it has everything, woodland, views, scrambling, a wooden bridge across a river, steppingstone crossings and a comfortable car park to get ready in–a safe base.
In the following I am explaining why the image of this particular walk–and hiking in general–works so well as a positive work identity.
Maybe I can drag Animal on a hike occasionally?
That’s a photo from my favourite walk:
Elements of a hike that translate well into a healthy work-life balance:
- Planning the trail:
- Have all the gear I need
- Have a high quality comfortable clothes
- Have the best shoes & poles I can afford as my whole body depends on the feet from impact on knees to spinal alignment
For work: being prepared, plan, set achievable goals helps me to stay in a calm space. Do I have everything I need to undertake the various tasks and projects? Equipment, support from colleagues etc
What I am not good with: Not going on side-quests all the time!
- Knowing the milestones:
- Never be extremely specific about reaching these as this puts on too much pressure and takes the joy away
- But I know: the walk takes about 3 hours, I will reach the peak about 2 hrs in
- Being or not being on track emerges naturally during a hike (in the pauses see below) if I am not on track
- I need to readjust and check what the issues are***
- Do I still have enough daylight?
- Did I pack my headtorch?
So while it is important to keep track of timeframes etc, ask myself: am I setting deadlines too tightly? Are they realistic? Am I trying to do too much in one day?
- Knowing where and when to rest
- Think about the project as a whole
- milestones might be reached earlier or later and yet the whole project will still be on time
- Rest is safe: actually in hiking resting keeps you safe!
- Think about the project as a whole
I know that resting is necessary for survival, what makes me think not-resting is okay in other areas?
- Knowing where the joy is
- Don’t just pack essentials but little treats like a chocolate bar
- A particularly nice spot to take photos
- A flat rock or smooth tree truck to rest and have Scooby snacks
- Don’t forget to breathe!
- Find your walking rhythm
Where is your joy in work?
And most importantly
- Pause regularly
- To breathe
- To reflect
- To observe
- the environment
- your self
- To situate yourself within the journey
- To look at the journey overall (which is different from milestones)
Just writing this made me realise how much purpose there is in Pause!
What is your purpose in pause?
In hiking pause is not a guilty pleasure–a luxury.
Pausing is essential, to stay safe and healthy. To check in with body and environment, energy levels, ground and weather conditions (despite all the planning and triangulating forecasts, the Scottish Highlands can throw surprises at the unsuspecting walker).
We have been caught in brief snowstorms or white outs. We paused (with hot sweet tea and snacks, and insulating ground matt) and waited until they blew over. Pausing keeps us alive and safe.
Here is your challenge (and mine)
Reflect on:
- Why don’t you pause regularly during working?
- What is the purpose in your pausing?
- What would be useful tools to build in pauses?
And as usual please share what works for you!
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*Time is fleeting we are talking somewhen in October now
**But I like the drums arrrgh!
***On one hike the path was not visible and not signed we lost track and became stuck in the bog, it took us over an hour to navigate a rabbit hole littered bog of only 1 mile length uphill