Life is moving very fast the older I get. And I’m finding it more confusing and complicated. There are so many things to juggle; health, family, work, finances, love, happiness.
From my last post on Priorities, I know that having clarity on whats most important makes everything so much more easier.
Without reflecting on what’s important to me and how I’m tracking, I’m afraid life will take me on its own course like a leaf in a river.
So this post will be revisited every week so I can add my reflections to it. Yes it will be very long but no one else read this blog so what the hell hahaha.
Reflection Questions
How often did I ask: “What’s it for? and Who is it for?”
19/3/22 – I think I’m getting a little confused by this question so I am reading the altMBA notes again (Prompt 5 – Effective design asks the questions Whats it for?). In my life and in my endeavor, What is all this for? More short-term: What is the IMS for? What is my HR role for? What is the performance review for? Who is this supposed to serve? I want to start volunteering, what is that for? I will be going to see friends for dinner and play badminton. Whats that for? Its this idea of scrutinizing your life in an analytical way and asking again and again – what am I getting out of this and what exactly is the point – does this align with the bigger picture goal (this is my strengths!) – reframing the problem and ensuring your time and efforts are actually poised to fix the REAL “Whats it for? and Who is it for?” I haven’t done a lot of this. This will lead to saying no a lot. Gosh that is hard.
Did I follow the “fear” and do the hard part?
19/3/22 – Following the fear can be interpreted as many things. For me in the past, its meant speaking up in meetings and asking the tough questions. But it has also meant simply taking a deep breath getting out of bed. Why is getting out of bed an act of courage? Because showing up when you are not confident about the outcome of the day’s activities can be so fucking hard – especially for a perfectionist like me. Its dealing with uncertainty. But fear is where the real living happens. I will refer to my first post and also my second one.
To do the creative things. To fail again and again, pushing the frontiers of your capability and maybe eventually at the end of your life, be able to say “At least I failed while daring greatly”. So, to myself, you crazy beautiful untamed being, crack your neck, do some stretches, step in to the arena and be prepared to get well and truly roughed up.
Take that deep breath and dive right into it. Brene Brown talks about ‘leaning in’ to discomfort. Mel Robbin asks us to ‘follow the fear’. Steven Pressfield says if something is scaring you, it only means that it is truly important and worth the struggle. Whatever it is that you’re hiding from, your freedom lies in walking right through it. Delve into the muck. “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”
Remember the feeling of the coin!
Did I show myself respect? Did I look at myself within the possibility of being the “messiah“?
19/03/22 – This is the most important one. Everything starts here. When I truly respect myself, I start to act as if I am that person. Not only that but I will start to respect everyone else in a similar way. Boundaries, boundaries boundaries. Love yourself, look after yourself with extraordinary care and reverence.
Did I see the possibility in people / problems? Was I a good finder?
19/03/22 – I am practicing seeing the possibility in people, seeing their strengths. I did this with the lady (LC) starting when the negotiation was getting uncomfortable. I do this regularly with another manager (GS). But I haven’t actively done any good-finding. Wait! No I did! After the badminton game, I gave three compliments to three people. Ok good. Now I need to start doing that a bit more at work. Earnestly, matter of fact-ly, thankfully.
Did I trust the process?
19/03/22 – Life is so uncertain. I will not see the results any time soon. Its just not how it works. Imperfect decisions, imperfect actions, imperfect processes, imperfect results. That is ok! Remember life is like Pictionary, the information and learning only happens when you show up and give it a go. The drawer will adapt and the picture will be revealed. TRUST THE PROCESS. I didn’t do too much of this last, this is going to be crucial this coming week due to the audit.
What were the highs of the week? What are you grateful for?
19/03/22 – Our IMS consultant (A) and I are on the same track, we are totally vibing on the COVID / Business Continuity Plan. The Performance Review with junior planner (DA) went really well. I had a great win with the Business Manager (GS) who suggested himself we audit him in a way we wanted to. I got a promotion! I’m doing what I always wanted to do – HR and IMS. The volunteering guy from Contribute messaged me back! Organizing an interview next week. I set myself some KPIs which gave me clarity (2 performance reviews per week!). Grateful for this opportunity!
How are my monthly goals progressing? What’s going well and what isn’t?
19/03/22 – Community: might need to review SN in my “important person list” 🙁 I am seeing NM, NS, HA. Been txting DR, briefly spoke to CF. Posted on cousins page now, subscribed to VP’s Youtube channel. Need to talk to mum, dad and SV! Downloaded an app to keep track of everyone’s birthdays!
Continuous education: – I am reading untamed by Glennon Doyle and 15 Secrets Successful People know about time management by Kevin Kruse. I wont be reading too much more of KEvin Kruse’s book until I start to master some of the techniques. I also need to finish the internal auditor course
Play/Creativity: Learnt 2 whole new dances so lots to do there. Playing the piano again and reading a little
Altruism: Interview next week with volunteer group!
Finance: Haven’t looked at this at all to be honest. I guess im not too motivated until I get the money. But I do need to start researching.
Lastly: Am I practicing the techniques of time management? Being the most organised and reliable person I know!
A little. Planning, time boxing. Stop reading emails! Reduce stress by time boxing and knowing that you are simply not going to get to anything that is not in the calendar.