An attempt at "Wintering"

A colleague introduced me to a new term - “Wintering” coined by Katherine May. It’s the thought of slowing down, allowing winter to replenish. To allow the natural circadian rhythm of the world to give your mind/body/soul a rest over the winter cycle.? I read this podcast transcript on the topic here: https://onbeing.org/programs/katherine-may-how-wintering-replenishes/? and found it fascinating.? Amazing how our modern world of electronics and “always on” handheld devices, works at odds with the idea of wintering.?

Recently, I resigned my position as CEO from Scrum Alliance. After nearly 4 years as CEO, it was time for me to take a step away and reflect, read, journal and consider what's next.? The article seemed to come at the exact right time - should “wintering” be something I use this time for??

It’s been about 4? weeks, and I can tell you I am not really good at this.?

My first real employment job was in 1977. And I entered professional work in 1986 and haven’t had a gap since.? Matter of fact, most of my career I held 2 or more jobs at the same time, and only took the occasional 1week vacation.? This means for 45 years, I’ve woken up with a daily purpose, a drive of something to accomplish.? My bride of 32 years will also tell you that even on a weekend I would wake and make a quick backlog of the household tasks that I needed to accomplish on the weekend before I would let myself sit down in the evening and rest. ? And now, “wintering” enters my vocabulary and life.?

I’ve a running task board with To Do, Doing and Done items that I refresh each week.? Many of the items are long overdue projects that I’ve been needing to do for years. It feels extremely good to move those items to Done!? During this time, there have been 3? items that have been a constant on my to do list.?

Reading-? I make time each day to read, to fill my brain with something new.? I’ve poured through a dozen business books and a few pleasure books in the first weeks. I try to journal a bit or make notes of what sparks my interests in each text. It is really difficult for me to sit quietly for a period of time, and simply read - but I am finding this very therapeutic.?

Hiking -? I’ve this need, each and everyday, to go hiking. If the weather is poor, I still try to get in 2 miles, but if the weather is good I will hike 10-13 miles. ? I’m very fortunate to live in our nation's first national park, and also a state that has nearly 3 million acres of National Forest. - so there are lots of places to hike. There is something supremely therapeutic about being in nature and alone with your thoughts - especially after reading a few chapters of a new book. It feels mentally centering, allowing me to focus on my health and think of a bold new adventure in the future.?

Purging? - While I always considered myself a bit of a minimalist, stuff collects. Places like garages, closets and cabinets tend to simply get overrun with “stuff” that adds nothing more to my happiness, while it likely will bring happiness to others.? Each week, I take on a new area of our home to declutter and really purge the unnecessary, leaving only the necessary. My local Habitat for Humanity ReStore is happy to make a positive impact with all that I deliver. I’m finding the process cathartic and freeing, as a review of an area freshly decluttered, clean and open.?

In our agile industry we talk about sustainable pace, and we highly value a more human centered way of working.? Yet, most companies have teams go from sprint, to sprint to sprint - without break, and all while seeking continuous improvement.? Many times this sets up unachievable expectations for individuals and teams - “keep sprinting and keep getting better at delivery”. In other words, keep going and deliver more. ? In past companies, I’ve always advocated for innovation sprints, where teams can work on anything they want, in any way they want -with the requirement to show their work at the end of the sprint.? This would give teams a break from regular product delivery, and allow them to dream and build and create at a more leisurely pace.? I’ve also always had an open PTO policy which allowed employees to take the time needed to re-charge and to rest. ( I just have never been good at following that policy)?

The idea of Wintering isn’t completely foreign to our work environments, but it is definitely at odds with most companies' drive to yield higher and higher profits.? It’s also a hard concept for me to grasp, but I am starting to realize the benefits. Each and everyday I must remind myself of the permissions to rest. To read. And to reflect.? It’s something I am working on each and every day??

Have you ever Wintered?? Do you allow your employees adequate time to reflect and recharge? Maybe this is your season…???