Despite being risk averse at heart, I like to try new things, experiment, test and tweak my routines to see if I can be a little better. Leaving an organisation after 26 years was liberating in so many ways, seeing things in ways I just had not permitted myself to see.
Now, in 2022, we are all (cautiously) emerging from the most severe Global pandemic for a generation. Congratulations! You made it. It's had a debilitating impact on many of us, mentally and physically and I truly feel for those impacted in life changing ways. The businesses we work for will be focused on their recuperation too, just not necessarily yours, so here are 5 things that may look impossible on first read that I'd like you to consider bringing into your lives this year...
- Go out of your way to be extraordinarily kind to others - what is there to lose? If you're a manager, try making your feedback (you do give feedback, right?) 99/100 positive. Give energy. Show enthusiasm. Support ideas. Go out of your way to say thank you to the delivery person. There will always be someone there to keep everyone grounded, you'll be a brilliant, kind, energizing multiplier of good.
- Spend a ridiculous amount of time outside, take >50% of your calls there - I live in the UK, it rains a bit, you know, that wet rain. Add to that the creep of culture that if you are not on video you are not engaged and so many of us are tied to their desk for 10 hours a day in back to back screen watching. Recapture the phone call, invest in great headphones and get outside.
- See that to do list, bin at least half of them, more if you feel bold - Big one. I am a list person. What I mean here is just try and really focus on the most important things each day, week, month. If there are 12 things, it's likely they're not all the most important things (MIT). Pick one or two and find a away to work out who's best to do the rest.
- Project 888 - Plan to work no more than 8 hours a day and sleep no less than 8 hours a night- I am not encouraging any contractual misdemeanors, more a principle of work smarter. If you do find success in #3 this will be more possible. On the sleep thing, it's science. I know science gets debated right now but not on this. Unless you're a new parent, you can get more sleep. This gives 8 hours over....
- Commit to helping someone else achieve their #1 goal - Linking all of the first four may mean you have more time and energy. Use it to help someone else nail the top thing on their list this year. Help them achieve a qualification by tutoring, coach a local team, mentor a student or just help a neighbour reconnect with others post pandemic.
I don't do all of these but would like to try. You choose. Not impossible but potentially life changing, I think.
Thanks for taking the time to read. Whether you agree, disagree I'd love to hear.
Passionate about Great HR, Happiness, Health, our Planet, the Great Outdoors and Dogs, I Love Dogs!
3 年Loved that this was my first read of the day - so clear and inspiring as always thanks Paul Walker (He/Him/His) Hope you’re keeping healthy, happy and well.
Commercial Leader and Partnership expert who delivers financial growth | Balanced strategic thinking with outstanding operational management | Proven Track Record in Driving Global Team Success
3 年Practical and thoughtful as per! The practical tip about taking/making calls outside is great - definitely going to try that - once Storm Eunice is out of the way of course!
Service Line Lead, Ipsos Synthesio | Leadership Coach for Introverts
3 年Insightful as always. I was wondering why you aren't writing as much and there comes an article!
C2PO @ AutogenAI | Leadership | Performance and Growth | Purpose & Culture | Tech West Mids Director | Purpose Collective Co-Founder
3 年Always love reading your articles and posts Paul Walker (He/Him/His) . Lots of great advice here. I think I am going to try and embrace being outside more and rediscovering the joy of the phone call!