The fear and discomfort of adventure

This has proven a difficult article to write. I knew I wanted to write something, and I've had no shortage of other ideas that may appear in some form over the coming weeks, but it seems right to stick to where my head is spending most - all - of its time at the moment.

I'm reflecting a lot on the challenges and opportunities of being laid off. So many people have faced this situation recently. Technological advancements, shifting global economies, large transactions, poor leadership, and all sorts of other factors have upended traditional work structures, leaving individuals uncertain about their future.

It's where I find myself now.

Starting with self care

Despite the difficulties that inherently come with such a change, it must be true that there are important opportunities presented by the experience. And I'm not going to start talking about it being "an opportunity to pause". I took a pause at Christmas, and had a lovely time. As the sole earner for a family of six, being without employment feels somewhat different from that.

Taking care of oneself is an important thing under normal circumstances, so must be important now. I still have a fair bit to learn about that. I set myself a target in the new year to pick up running. Not a lot, just something regular. And I was doing pretty well, until yesterday. I woke up, looked at the trainers, and thought to myself: Any time spent running is time spent NOT securing an income.

At least I have a coach; my commitment to the sessions forces me out of my busy mind and feverish activity for a moment or two. And I know that time taken out to rest and recharge is still productive time. As I'm discovering, reaching out to friends and family for support contributes to my energy levels, giving me more clarity and purpose.

Work, identity, and discomfort

About purpose. For many of us, work is a central aspect of our identity. It feels popular at the moment to demonise that - who we are is more important than what we do - but there doesn't have to be anything wrong with it. If our life is at the very least a gift of time, then the way we use it is a huge part of who we are. Our work can provide us with a sense of purpose, as well as structure and security. When that work's taken away, it can feel like our entire world is falling apart. It's easy to start feeling lost, uncertain, and deeply insecure.

I'm not there quite yet. I'm not feeling lost, or insecure, but I am sitting in the discomfort of uncertainty, against my risk-averse nature, desiring stability...and yet I'm somehow excited about what the next chapter might hold.

I get the sense that it's precisely in these moments of greatest uncertainty that we have the greatest opportunity to learn, grow, and discover new possibilities about who we are. Today, for me, that's being without a job. It's different things at other times. I know that when any of us are forced to confront the unknown, we must find the courage to step outside of our comfort zones, take risks, and explore new possibilities.

The potential in every adventure

One week into this transition period, and I'm becoming more aware about my priorities, values, and aspirations. I'm unconsciously asking myself moment by moment: What do I really need, what could be possible, and what steps do I need to take?

This is not as easy as I'd like it to be! But the voyage of discovery is an important element of every great adventure, and without this stage there's a risk of retreating into the safety of what's known.

Surely one positive I'm experiencing at the moment is how aware I'm having to be about what skills, strengths, and passions I have to offer. I'm hoping to find work that's meaningful and fulfilling, that has a positive and lasting impact, and which provides stability for my family. Even just in the first few days of exploring these questions I've felt led in some unexpected directions, and who knows what story I might be telling in a few years' time that comes down to precisely one of these moments of discovery?

Finally, and perhaps most obviously, I'm having to be proactive. That's one reason why I thought I should write this. Having spent a long time in the consulting world, advising organisations and individual coaches, shaping the UK coach training landscape, and writing about organisational coaching and coaching technology, I like the idea that I could use all of that to support a lot more individuals and organisations.

That might look like some consulting, mentor coaching, coaching supervision, facilitation, coaching...and it might look quite different. The future is currently a glorious, dramatic fog of unknown possibilities.

Perhaps you could become part of the journey to clear the fog! If you're facing challenges, seeking to grow and develop a coaching strategy, or looking for some support, wouldn't it be fun to work together? I'd love to have a conversation. And maybe those future stories will end up revealing what we all already know about work: It's all about people.