Of uppermost importance in challenging times is that we keep a balance within ourselves, aiding our abilities to better understand where we are and where we are going.
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Right now what we have are questions about the spreading coronavirus: Where are we? Where are we going? What impact will it have on our work, our life, our physical and mental well-being, our work-life balance and that of our world? We need time to absorb all of this to better understand what the future probably holds.
I recently read a description of why Japanese director Akira Kurosawa is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in history. In Kurosawa’s films the evil foe has arrived while the hero is still growing into his role. The villain is unappeasably ruthless and the good guy is evolving to find and muster the heroic efforts necessary to defeat the vile threat.
The evil villain has arrived today in the form of COVID 19. Each of us and our heroes are absorbing and will, in the process, uncover and discover what’s necessary to defeat this enemy. A friend pointed out to me that maybe being a hero now looks a lot like being lazy, because staying at home doesn’t look very energetic. It certainly appears dull, but it is proving to save lives. Isn’t that what heroes do?
Hero or not, we’ve needed time to absorb. There is no doubt we are in a world life balance crisis. It is surreal, disorienting, and can feel like a dream because most of us have never experienced anything like it in reality. I’ve heard from what are normally very productive individuals that they are out of focus. They’ve found themselves sleeping in later. Things on their to do list are not getting done as quickly.
They are not necessarily sad or depressed, but they are drained by the absorbing and coping. That’s understandable. Navigating into the unknown with a villain lurking can be difficult. We are though, making progress. Big picture we are identifying cultural and health defenses and counter-measures to overcome the threat, and personally we are evolving into positive work, life and health balance approaches.
Beyond following the important health guidelines (wash hands, distance, shelter), here are approaches that have proven to be helpful to maintaining a positive work and life balance as this health and economic challenge unfolds.
Show Up
One of the individuals who reported being in a non-motivated funk made a sign for herself that helped. It said “Wake Up, Get Up, Show Up.”
Don’t Obsess
Limit checking the virus news to once or twice a day. Recognize that freaking out or excessively pushing your stress buttons hampers your ability to keep a personal balance as external events unfold.
Stay Purposely Occupied
Individuals who are reporting the least emotional disruption, cloudiness and funk in their lives are staying purposely busy. They are positively occupied with personal projects, pleasures or work opportunities, which keeps them from over worrying. Our age, individual style and work and life circumstances will impact each of our methods, but staying fully engaged in our life is good for all of us.
Use The Gift of Time
If you’ve recently switched to working from home you have freed up that commute time to do something else. Consider it a personal gift to enjoy pleasures or projects you’ve been putting off. I have a friend who is back to cooking some of his favorite recipes and has begun two books he’s put off reading.
This same friend has a business that has been completely shut down by the recent health restrictions. After adjusting his cash outflow, he is using the time to push forward the online preparation of a major marketing project he has not had the time to work into his previous schedule.
Children at home present challenges for working but it is also an opportunity to block some extra focus time with them. Prepare a meal together or play a game. Make that committed time especially meaningful by focusing on your AM & PM only, your Activity of the Moment and Person of the Moment. This keeps other concerns from detracting from your family focused moments.
Use The Gift of Technology
We humans are social creatures. Even while distancing you can serve that important socializing need by expanding your virtual presence with your friends and loved ones.
My daughter hosted my wife and I for a virtual pancake brunch last Sunday. We couldn’t actually eat the vegan pancakes from afar but we were virtually in the kitchen with her and her husband and sitting down for the meal together. It was a pleasure. We’re planning on a virtual dinner this weekend with more of the family.
Over Communicate
A valuable point was made to me by the head of technology for a promising start up. He has made it clear to his team that, especially now, family comes first, job second. He has also emphasized the need to be mindful that people at work are depending on you so…communicate clearly when you cannot be available.
Just communicate when you need to be gone so your team can best plan their scheduling and need for your input. He re-communicates this and checks on it consistently. Family first; job second; consistently communicate your status and schedule to your team that depends on you.
He also recognizes the business value of social interaction that can be missing when working virtually. As a result, he’s doing more online, non- work hangouts with his work team. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Exercise
Release those positive endorphins and stay healthier. There are plenty of free online videos to exercise to. If you have a place outside where you can walk, run or bike and still distance yourself, that can be even better.
Find Joy In Every Day
No matter what the situation we have the ability to muster control over how we react and over our feelings. You have the response ability to stay open to the positives and joys life offers up. Choose to find that joy in every day and share it with others.
To your health and happiness.
Quotes
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.”
“When things are steep, remember to stay level-headed.”
Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) 65BC – 8BC, was the leading Roman lyric poet and satirist during the time of Augustus.
This story has been attributed to Socrates, although there are other theories of authorship. Whoever the author, it’s a great parable that provides valuable insights.
One day, a student came up to the great philosopher. “Socrates, I have just heard some news about one of your friends.” he excitedly exclaimed.
“Before you tell me this news, we need to make sure that it passes the triple filter test,” responded Socrates.
“What’s the triple filter test?” the man asked.
“The first test is that of truth. Tell me, do you know that what you’re going to tell me is absolutely true?” asked Socrates.
After thinking for a moment, the man said, “I heard this news from someone else, so I’m not 100% sure if it’s true.”
“The second test is that of goodness,” Socrates continued, “Is what you’re about to tell me something good?”
“No, actually it’s the opposite…”
Socrates interrupted the man, “So what you’re going to tell me is neither true, nor good?”
The man was slightly embarrassed and shrugged his shoulders.
Socrates continued, “There is one final test which is usefulness. Is what you’re about to tell me going to be useful?”
“Probably not,” the man replied.
“Well, if you’re going to tell me something that’s not true, good or useful, then why tell me at all?” responded the philosopher.
Truth? Goodness? Usefulness? Worthy questions for weighing the external input we consume and choose to pass on daily.