We are all already on the rollercoaster of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a time of unprecedented pace of change. And, like any great rollercoaster ride, it is scary, invigorating, exciting and full of bumpy ups and downs along the way. By Catherine Duncan.
This year has started at full throttle as we hurtle at warp speed into March. Many clients are telling me they are exhausted and barely holding on as the feel torn between work commitments and finding time for family and friends.
I was recently with a client who is a true master of being organised and structuring her life around work and family commitments as well as her health and mental wellbeing. Last year was tough, so this year she proactively increased her health focus and made time for meditating to support her in the start of what was shaping up to be yet another tough year.
Last week, she prepared herself mentally for what she knew was going to be a challenging meeting with her business partner. The meeting was tougher than expected but she held it on course and deflected the anger, the rage and the unreasonable demands being thrown her way.
She understood that frustration and fear were driving his behaviour. But, once the storm eased and she felt perfectly calm, he asked her a question that made her eyes water and the tears come. The question came from his heart and read her very well. It was simply: “are you okay?”
“Yes, of course,” she replied. But he didn’t leave it there, responding: “no, you’re not, there’s something wrong”.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Sam knew she had been ignoring the warning signs of headaches, stomach aches, backaches and a feeling of complete exhaustion. She told herself she was tougher than that. Hadn’t she been through worse and came out the other side? Wasn’t this just another bumpy road she would get past?
All air stewards tell us to put on our own oxygen mask before we help others. We know we are useless to anyone if we, ourselves, don’t have enough oxygen! What is the oxygen that breathes life back into you?
Sam knew it was time to take notice so she committed to her daily meditation (no excuses) because she knew it set her up for the day and gave her a deep and restful sleep. She also realised she needed uninterrupted time with her husband and grabbed a day’s hiking away from everyone and engulfed in nature (love, connection, exercise and fresh air all in one simple activity). Now she felt she was truly breathing again!
What are you doing to inhale the ‘oxygen’ you know you need?
Are you serving yourself or your ego right now, especially when you know there’s turbulence ahead!