Optimism!? Yes

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I'm optimistic about the future.

Yes, we continue to experience challenging and difficult times for customers, patients, and families. The stress of regular life compounded by entering the 3rd year of a pandemic makes for tough days and nights. A pandemic that strikes each of us individually; a lucky few are inconvenienced, but for many the pandemic provokes extreme stress, illness and death.

Am I stressed and tired? Yes. Am I frustrated at home and work some times? Yes.

But there is a more important question. Do I believe I can exert influence over my experiences and be happier MORE of the time? Absolutely, Yes. I know I can and you can too.

A few reflections and ideas to increase happiness in 2022:

Persistent Fatigue is Different than Acute Stress:?Chronic, persistent fatigue is profoundly different than episodic, acute stress.?We’ve all likely experienced episodic, acute stress…and part of the way we deal with that is by knowing that “this too shall pass.”??Many times, we can “see” a more optimistic future, a post-episode future, when life returns to normal.??The pandemic has upset that cycle.?A return to “normal” is tougher to sense because we’ve experienced times when we thought “normal” was near (eg, the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines), only to see the pandemic continue.?We can’t change the environment, but you can reframe the perspective and your expectations.?Context matters.

Assume positive Intent:?We are tired.?Which is even more reason to listen to hear, rather than listen to respond.?Start with the assumption that each person’s intent is good.?And then, act on that assumption in words and actions.

Dominant Characteristics become More Dominant:?Under stress, whatever positive or negative personality traits define you will likely be amplified.?If you lack self-awareness, this is likely a weakness regardless of whether it is a “good” or “bad” trait.??Thoughtful can become too accommodating, opinionated can become too aggressive.??

Schedule Time to Do Nothing:?Working remotely is, for me, exhausting, as it lacks a natural, tangible transition.?I remember, as a Sales Representative working in New Orleans, and how I prized my 20+ miles drive home north across Lake Pontchartrain.?It was a literal environmental switch to turn work “off” and home “on”.?Those natural opportunities have mostly vanished.?So, we must create them.?Schedule time for yourself and use it. ?Walk outside and stretch, sit in a parking lot and read a book, or go to the gym.??You must accomplish your work/career objectives and take care of yourself too.

Primarily Measure Effect Rather than Effort:??People tend to universally agree with this, until you start to do it.?Why??Because effort is easier to observe and sometimes relieves us of accountability for effect.?Especially during the pandemic when we are less likely to be at our best, busy sometimes becomes a weak replacement for results.

Get a Dog:?While I do literally mean this, you can take it figuratively as well.?Personally, I recommend the dog because each of us deserves unending moments of joy, love, and loyalty….at the low cost of simply walking in the door. ?If dogs are not for you, then find something that gives you joy with little contemplation… that puts your brain in “sleep mode” and a smile on your face.

Have a wonderful 2022……

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