Behind the scenes: Oink Oink

No, it is not a mistake; you read correctly: Oink -the pig's characteristic grunting sound.

I will also give you another bit of what may seem like entirely random text - Here are some general facts about disruption:

• Most of the time, you did not ask for it;
• High probability it leaves you with a feeling of, well, this sucks;
• First, it creates many questions but ultimately leaves you with fresh reflection points.

You may wonder what pig sounds and disruption have to do with each other. Well, I wanted to write about disruption for the next edition of Take A Biscuit, which got delayed a bit as the universe thought it would be a fun idea for me to get swine flu (I still have a very irritating cough that is hanging around and wants to be my friend, but other than that I am almost back to 100% health).?

So, did my little swine flu adventure tick all the disruption boxes?

• Did I ask for it - Most definitely not!
• Did it suck - very much so, it was a week of pure torture. I wasn't 100% healthy when I got it, which did not help either.
• Did it leave me with some fresh reflection points - Absolutely!

Firstly, I am married to an amazing woman. Even though she, at that stage, was also not feeling 100%, my wife managed her own work responsibilities, our kids and still looked after me. So Michelle-Ann, you are amazing, and I love you! Having a support structure, no matter what challenge you are facing, is a game changer - so if you are Blessed enough to have other people who can support you during difficult times, don't take it for granted.??

Secondly, good health is the most valuable thing you can ever own or possess. Taking care of your health should be a top priority in your life. Without good health, everything else is meaningless. So, ensure you take care of your body and mind by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest. Remember, you only have one body and can't buy a new one. So, make it a daily habit to prioritise your health and well-being, and you'll be rewarded with a happier, healthier life.?

Lastly, I want to shift the focus towards the work environment. Something like a severe illness brings with it a myriad of other challenges (the dreaded build-up of unread emails, for one) and impacts on teams. This is where organisational culture and, more specifically, team dynamics come into play. When you're feeling sick, taking the time to rest and recover is essential. Your team at work should be understanding and supportive of your need to take sick leave. Therefore, it is critical to foster a culture of support and empathy within your team so everyone feels comfortable taking the time to recover. Remember, taking care of yourself is not something to feel guilty about, and your team should be there to help you when needed. By working together and supporting each other, you can create a positive and healthy work environment for everyone - hearing, don't worry about anything, we got everything covered - makes a big difference!

Will I ever forget August 2023? Probably not, but instead of thinking about how terrible I felt, it will be more on what the entire experience highlighted for me again on a personal level.??

Disruption can take many different shapes and forms, not just falling ill. The overarching principle for me remains that sometimes, it can provide much-needed clarity or highlight new opportunities. At first, it may feel like you didn't ask for this, but eventually, that feeling fades away, leaving you with a blank page to write a new future or reality. So, if it does cross your path, take it all in, focus on the new facts and the changes that either come from it or the changes you need to make to start writing that new chapter.