DRIVEN Newsletter May 3, 2022
Instead of Rushing Back, I Cut Myself Some Slack!
The cherry blossoms are currently cheering on the arrival of spring in my corner of the world. This feels like a shot of B12 for my spirit. It also brings to mind the vision of the character George Costanza eating a mango! Of course, laughter soothes the spirit, too!
Looking back to the beginning of April, I had found myself frustrated with, well— myself. I’d declared March to be a month of recovery after a brutal February. The thing is, I still hadn’t returned to myself as April entered the picture. Yikes!
This actually turned out to be a valuable lesson. There are some things we can push through on a timeline, and others that simply cannot be rushed. Recovery to “peak performance” is one of the latter. And that’s okay, as it’s part of being human.
I then spent April exploring the dimensions of Emotional Ambivalence. And the more I learn, the more I recognize that maintaining the tension between “bitter” and “sweet” is a key ingredient in the secret sauce of self-management. Since “self-regulation is the Jedi Mind Trick of corporate America”, indubitably my investigation will continue.
And speaking of continuing, my Racial Justice Study Circle dived into a discussion recently about “unpaid labor”. We uncovered so many different trains of dialogue, we’ll be continuing with the same topic in May. Some of the standout tidbits that surfaced during this eye-opening conversation were:
-The difference between my choice and others’ expectations
-Housework: What I do because I want to vs because I have to
-What volunteerism means at a conventional workplace setting vs at an NFP
Looking forward through May leaves me with a sense of adventurous curiosity. An organization I’m working with has hit the halfway mark in their CCC (Co-Create Culture) initiative. This 9-month, 4-phase, 350-person cultural effort (spanning six time zones) is truly inspiring to witness. After Phase One, each of the 16 squads came to a consensus about their squad’s priority and created an action plan. These individual roadmaps included ideas to build toward their priority and start working toward their goals. We’re at a point where some of the squads are sharing their efforts across the enterprise! With 4 months to go, May’s facilitated meetings will introduce the concepts of observation and reflection as powerful tools to employ with the growth mindset.
And the adventure doesn’t stop in the virtual world. I’ll be taking a trip to New York City later this month for a “3-day tour”. This is my first trip as a NYC ex-pat, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with cherished colleagues, clients and cousins in the springtime sunshine.
What adventures are you embarking on this season?
Cheers!
-Deborah Goldstein
Take A Breather.
In order to manage stress, so it doesn't manage us, breathing is fundamental. Think about it: Although the brain accounts for 2% of our body weight, it consumes 20% of the oxygen we breathe. This power of the breath brings your brain back to the present so it can make a responsive decision, as opposed to reacting to the situation at hand. To learn more about Deborah’s stress-mitigating breathing techniques, check out her recent Forbes.com article. And don't forget to read her latest DRIVEN blog article on stress and your mental health.
Speaking of Stress
In addition to breathing, there are other valuable tools at your fingertips to successfully manage stress. DRIVEN to Wellness is our 3-workshop series that provides a holistic view of how to effortlessly incorporate habits and practices into your life. If you’re interested in learning more, get a glimpse HERE and then decide if the program is right for you!
Advice For Every Leader.
Have you had trouble navigating the fine line between being a caring boss and being a “friend” to your direct reports? Link HERE to discover 15 ways you can live in the “and” world and be both, care of Deborah Goldstein on Forbes.com. Then, discover 14 coaches' perspectives and ideas for building mutual trust within your manager/employee relationship in Deborah’s other Forbes.com article HERE.
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