As anyone in 2021 can attest, Mondays through Fridays aren't what they used to be.
The weekday work routine, amidst the occasional unexpected occurrence of lopsided busyness here or there, was fairly predictable.
Appropriately challenging and enriching, but predictable.
I'm noticing, more and more, from people who I respect and admire, a certain energy - an "I can't believe it's only November; it feels like March" vibe. If those of us who have been at this work thing for awhile are feeling this way and saying it aloud, how do the "new people" (work colleagues, new students, families new to school systems) feel about all of this?
That's got me thinking a lot these days, about where we've been, where we are, and where we're going.
"Back to normal", if we're being honest with each other, isn't really an option. This response sort of reminds me of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, reciting, "There's no place like home".
Living through these times are our reality for everyone. And each of us is having an experience, unique to our circumstances and how we choose to see the world. But inaction isn't the best option, unless of course things are going perfectly for you? Then, go with it.
Hoping for a brighter future is a good first step. Of course, there's a lot to be said for optimism, gratitude, and empathy. At the risk of these becoming empty catch phrases, there are amazing people out there who are sharing examples of this work. And, there are communities that are sprouting up all over, in-person, virtual, and blended. In fact, one of my favorites, Edcamp Long Island, is hosting it's first meet-up in some time. Check it out.
But what can you do right now?
This morning, I'd come across words from James Clear. He'd retweeted his tweet from 2020, which happens to also be a beautiful piece of prose. It'd make a great mantra to practice.
But these are just words. And words, without actions, are meaningless.
So why not try something new this weekend?
How will you commit to one small action aligned with the action of an entrepreneur's mind?
How will you commit to one small action that's aligned with the action of an athlete's body?
And how will you commit to one small action that's aligned with the action of an artist's soul?
What makes today an ideal day for this? Well, if your weekends are anything like mine, they're consumed with family commitments, chores, and a few obligations, to name a few.
But weekends also have a few more pockets of possibility...a few spaces where we can choose what we'd like to do, how we'd like to do it. This discount the importance of this, because it's practice space.
Exploring these pockets, like an entrepreneur, an athlete, and an artist, even if for a few minutes, will allow us to act like the type of people we aim to become more like.
For me. that's included writing time, exploring the way others write and share their writing.
That's included a workout, like those that only come along after a productive workweek.
And it will include many one-on-one conversations to come, with people (friends and relatives), many of whom I haven't seen in quite some time.
In combination, writing, exercising, and individual dialogue will allow me time and space to process the ways in which I'm learning from each can result in my own self-improvement, not to mention how I may better help someone else in the days and weeks to come.
The challenge, the questions to contemplate this weekend:
What actions will you take to nourish your mind, body, and soul?
How will this personal commitment help you, help someone else this week ahead?
How will this redefine our days at work, in the days that remain in 2021?
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