4 Ideas for Shift, Not Change

Happy New Year! 

Refreshed after a short break? Maybe you did something you like to do, or you got to hang out with someone who makes you feel good. Are you filled with energy to tackle 2022? 

During the last few years at Sanbolic, which in total was 15 years, I recall the month of January as a great time to start implementing new ideas and strategies, but also as "here we go again," another year of more of the same. When we run businesses, or they run us, we are part of the quarterly cycles that bring us both comfort and stress. When asked what I used to do to tackle, get through, continue, and break up the quarterly and annual cycles of stress caused by heavy burdens of responsibility and a deep sense of commitment, I'd answer one or four things depending on the sincerity of the question:

1. DISTANCE AND PERSPECTIVE

I create a physical and mental space between myself and the business (or whatever the work is that I am committed to doing). Take a walk outside, close laptop, shut phone off, schedule time for family, and exercise. Meditate - I know we've heard about it many times, but it's not until you are ready to explore meditation, and actually start meditating, that you'll know what I mean. You only learn what good meditation can do for you when you start practicing it. What I can tell you though, is that if you are dedicated and meditate every day for 3 weeks, there will be a significant shift in you. A fascinating one. Probably enough to continue. I started meditating when my second child was a few months old, business was difficult, my co-founder/husband was very ill, and our little girl was sick a lot. I felt compressed and needed to create space. I found that space inside me. It allowed me to create distance between everything that was negatively affecting me, and the way I reacted to it. When there is distance (time, or physical- or mental space) between the issue affecting you and your reaction to it, your perspective shifts. What's important, more important, most important? What can wait? Is there a different way I can see/approach/respond to this? Is it reasonable that I'm turning myself into a knot over this or that, or is there a way to keep my head clear and keep focus on my goal? When something feels intimidating we automatically take a step back. When something is affecting our emotions more than perhaps it should, find perspective, by physically taking a step back, or a few deep breaths, before reacting or taking a decision. Don't rush. And lastly, with the risk of sounding like a broken record, realize and be grateful for what you have.

2. MAINTENANCE AND CONTINUITY

After many years of doing the same thing, we can feel depleted, worn, like we forgot about ourselves. Giving more of our energy than we gain. Who am I when I'm not doing this job? Who am I when I'm not a parent, or partner, or employee? To find the strength and the joy to go on, day after day, you have to put yourself first. My motto for many years was "maintenance and continuity." That meant that I couldn't skip a day of doing something that was good for me. I recall especially difficult periods, but also all the grind of week after week without end in sight, and the seemingly millions of decisions that had to be made every day and hour. What I often needed was a space and a place where I didn't have to make a single decision. Guided yoga was great, running (which also gave me a sense of freedom), and cooking and hanging out with the kids in the kitchen (yes scheduled time as well). I never made new year's resolutions, as my continuous maintenance program of my own sanity was reviewed and revised as often as needed. I continually asked myself, "Is this where I want to be? Would I rather be somewhere else, or be doing something else?" As long as the answer was yes, the direction was clear, and I could continue forward without being afraid that I was wasting precious time. 

3. PURPOSE ALIGNED WITH VALUES

It's not expected that people stay in the same position for as long as it used to be. When I used to look at resumes years ago, I would simply dismiss the "jumpers," as it used to be a sign that people weren't loyal enough. The back side is that when you have that attitude as a hiring manager, you tend to not shed people when it's time, because you may feel too loyal to them. Luckily values can shift, and as long as we are aware of them shifting it's all good. Reflecting on your values is always a good idea, and January is as good of a time as any. "What do I value? What do I care about? Why? Is it new, or have I always thought/felt that way?" Our values are our foundation. On top of that foundation, we can layer your goals and ambitions. And on top of that the avenues and strategies to achieve our goals. Anchoring our goals in our values gives the work we are doing meaning. If your day to day job is 'just' something you are doing, even if there are goals set up for you, if they are not aligned with your values and what motivates you, you will not get a sense of purpose. Maybe that's why we're seeing so much restlessness in jobs right now? I don't know. (If you have time, please write to me and tell me what makes you want to leave your job, or why you stayed in your last one for only a year or so.)

4. LOL EVERY DAY

If you don't have a child or someone else around you who makes you laugh every day, read something or watch a funny movie, or learn how to laugh by thinking about something funny. Laugh out loud every day. And give yourself the gift of smiling when you wake up. It will feel weird at first, but smiling doesn't require anything but the muscles of your face to move, and through amazing anatomic reverse engineering, the smile will make your emotions shift. You feel content, happy, or even optimistic about the day ahead of you. 

I would love to hear about any big or small shifts you have experienced. And while you think about that, I'd like to wish you health, love, and joy in 2022.