I’ve had quite a few emails from people recently saying something along the lines of “In the last few months, I’ve had time to think and …”.
Some of these people are no longer commuting or spending a lot of their time traveling for work, and so do actually have more time than normal to pause and reflect on things. Others – who are under more pressure than ever trying to keep people in jobs, save their company or pivot their business often while juggling things like looking after kids at home at the same time – don’t mean they have more time but rather it’s been an opportunity to think – a time to question things. To question what’s truly important. Or how they want their life or work to be going forwards.
Questioning things
One successful entrepreneur is loving not being on a plane constantly (as he’s done for almost 30 years) and is asking himself for the first time ever – if he really wants to go back to this way of working. When he was in the midst of it, he never questioned it and always really enjoyed his work. But having now experienced something different, he’s wondering if it’s really what he wants anymore.
A co-founder of a business who works so hard he goes to bed thinking about work and wakes up still thinking about it, has just realised how little he normally sees of his kids now that he’s been working from home this past while and has decided he wants a better balance in his life.
Others are questioning their careers, their roles, the future they want, what really matters most in their life and work.
And this is to be expected. Any sudden or dramatic life change like the birth of a child or a health scare often causes us to assess our life and question things. So this major disruptor to our normal ways of working and living – Covid – is undoubtedly making most people take stock in some way and can therefore be a great opportunity to make conscious and active choices about how you want to live your life going forwards.
So, if you find yourself questioning things, here are some suggestions how to make the most of this opportunity.
Your best thinking
Firstly, it’s useful to consider when and how you normally do your best thinking or make your best decisions. For some people it’s while they are doing something else like walking, driving, exercising or taking a shower. Other people find they get clarity when they talk things out with someone else. Sometimes they want the other person’s perspective but as often as not, it is simply by voicing their thoughts out loud that they get clear on things in their own mind. Others get their best insights or sense of ‘knowing’ when they slow down and quieten their mind in some way e.g. through a breathing exercise, mindfulness exercise, visualisation, meditation or after exercise.
Whatever route works for you, I’d suggest you consciously choose to spend some time in this place or doing this activity with the intention of mining for insights or wisdom about what this time is telling you and means for you personally about your life or work going forwards.
Writing for clarity
Other people will find it easier to do this by writing things down. If writing is something you know helps you or it appeals to you to try it, then I’d suggest you go to a place you find conducive to creative or fresh thinking like a relaxed, quiet corner of your home or somewhere with a view you find uplifting or inspiring like of the sea, nature or mountains – a quiet place without interruptions – and then start writing. And keep writing until you get some clarity or insights.
If this is too vague or open-ended for you, here are a few questions to get you started:
Reflection questions
- What are the most important things in my life? Do I live my life as if these are the most important things to me? If not, what changes do I need to make?
- What would make me happier or more fulfilled? What could I do to make this happen?
- How would I like to be described by people at the end of my life? If I continue living my life the way I am now, is this how people will describe me? If not, what changes do I want to make?
- What have I learned from this time of Covid that I want to make sure I bring with me into how I live and work going forwards?
Coaching
And finally, coaching is a great way to be supported and guided through times of questioning, change and transition and to make sure this translates into making positive and proactive changes in your life (rather than just thinking about things).
I specialise in working with people who have a good amount of outer success but want more balance in their life, more fulfillment or to make more of a difference. If you’ve had some time to think during the last few months and want to take the next step, email me and let’s start a conversation about what you really want from your ‘one wild and precious life’.
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