The three post pandemic disciplines

A Challenger Mindset

?

The past couple of years have often felt like a social experiment. The world of work has been challenged around how to engage our teams in this fuzzy, hybrid landscape, along with how to self regulate our own unique challenges. It’s occasionally been tough as fuck.

I managed to fight my way through some pretty shitty pandemic times, and as a result I’ve discovered three disciplines that have really worked for me:

?

1- Vital Cheerleaders?

When you decide that you might need a little help, support or voice of reasoning, be careful who you involve. I've met many former colleagues, bosses and family members, that means well; but, they’ve naff all experience in setting up a training & coaching business.?

They don’t understand the amount of juggling, networking or personal journey you’re on. So, we all have different challenges to deal with.?

A close friend of mine has a boss that makes sure that he passes on his pressure to her, without the associated wage that accompanies that amount of pressure. Another colleague, who still struggles to say no to stuff that doesn’t benefit her, neither gives her the recognition and validation that she deserves. Suppose, having a brutally honest cheerleader highlights potential areas of development that we either pretend aren't there, or we’re simply blind to it. It’s great once that you are comfy enough to recieve feedback from the right people. Change doesn’t come from pretty poppy fields.

So, that friend continues to feel fatigue, frustration and resentment towards that person that causes the stress. The solution is so much simpler when it’s not your problem. One day, she will address it, and hopefully it will be acknowledged.?

The thing is, once we share a problem with a cheerleader, they might not always be the “nice cop” and we may be given some outside views and observations around how to make our lives easier. The magic stuff happens, when we take action, take stock of our own decisions and don’t leave them to chance or fate. That stuff in the movies.

I speak to around 90% of people who say one thing: “I'm back to back, I’ve been relentless, and I’ve not had lunch today”. Guess what, we have ourselves to blame, unless we say “Feck that”, we’re amidst a global burn out. We should be cheerleading breaks, personal development, and intrinsic connections. I coach most of my clients on a walk around the nearby marina or on a call with earphones, away from the desk, where most of their limiting beliefs are triggered.

There’s proof that we are no more productive in a back to back, task driven place of work, especially, working from home on four walls with a shitty laptop screen, yet we are still doing it.?

All of the world's leading mindset guru’s, leadership coaches and therapists allude to one thing: Purpose. I don’t know many people that still feel that they have a strong sense of identity. I refer to this as disillusionment. In fact, for those that say they have, they’re probably telling themselves a white lie or three, that they’re tickety boo. I’d rather be positively vulnerable and say “I’m re finding my feet”. Because, I am.

?

Employees who are challenged regularly are more engaged in their work

?According to a recent study. Assigning our employees with different types of tasks that will motivate, challenge and stretch them iis healthier. In the long scheme of things it will ultimately add to their development as well as create a sense of belonging. Having a productive workplace is important for any business to succeed. It’s not all carrots and sticks. We’re primitive and we require stimulation.?

So, if we surround ourselves with a mixture of cheerleaders, we’ll feel more connected. Connection is key, regardless of introversion or extroversion.?

2- Intentional pauses?

Remind yourself that breaks are essential, and make you better at whatever you're doing. Pausing will quite often help you to reclaim the essence of yourself and reduce brain fog and fatigue. We are moving from one meeting to the next with less real creativity or diversity of thought, because we're serving the needs of a task.

?I question myself and others daily, weekly. Why aren't we building in fifteen minutes between calls??

After pausing, we? return to our work refreshed, with renewed concentration. Focus and concentration are truly important!.

Of course, I? recognise the importance of keeping busy, especially during a post crisis, but the question is;have we gone too far??

Humans require recovery time to gather our thoughts. The honeymoon phase of this crisis is over.?

According to author Brian Tracy, it takes around 17 minutes to refocus after a digital interaction. We are living in a hyper-distracted world, so if you’re struggling to focus, so are many others. They tend to admit it more in a 1-1 conversation. .

Work and technology may be adding to our stress levels. It’s time to make a change

3- Create laughter

Personally, I laugh less during the week. This is something that I have journalled for a while now, and as crazy as this seems, it’s really impactful. On average I have been spending around 45-60 hours in front of a screen each week for 24 months, that's 4,800 hours alone, and I am an ambivert. Alone time is good for me, but for fecks sake, not this much. I now speak to Dorris the cheese plant more than my colleagues.

So, with these analytics I have made a life choice that will compliment my personality, my new ways of living and get back to feeling like Kay again. I am currently studying make up and qualify next month, so I will be running a makeup artistry company two days per week and working less behind a laptop, because it makes me feel crap, dis connected and if I continue I may marry my house plants.

So, if you, too, have lost your laughter, then it's maybe worth looking at your true purpose, what floats your boat and where and when you feel your happiest. Money is key, but connection is human!?

Laughing for fifteen minutes equates to around two hours sleep!

Gracias?

Kay