Time to Change a Habit?
I’ve been thinking a bit about habits lately. Paying attention to the things I do, just because I’ve always done them. Or the way I do things, just because I’ve always done them that way. Or the way I show up, just because that’s how I’ve always shown up. Habits. That’s what each of these is.
Some of the habits I have are good ones; I know that. Some of them aren’t so good; I also know that. These are the ones I’m paying particular attention to. And the question I’m holding (actually, it’s one question of several) is this: what is this particular habit costing me?
Obviously, each of my habits serves some aspect of my life, otherwise I wouldn’t have them. For example, I have a habit of sleeping in (if you call 8 a.m. “sleeping in”) whenever possible. This happens on those days when I decide I don’t have a particular need to be up at a specific time, and so I allow my body to wake naturally, without the prompting of an external alarm. On the one hand, this seems like a self-care strategy. And I’m all about self-care. On the other hand, what I know is that when I allow myself to “sleep in” I actually lose productivity, even if it is on a personal level versus a professional one. This is not a cost I’m willing to endure any longer. So, new habit. Setting my alarm, and waking between 6:30 and 7, especially on work days, but also on weekends if possible. If only to train my brain — and my habitual self — that habits can be changed.
So here’s a question for you: what habits do you have? You might have to give this some thought; after all, habits are often entrenched and as such, just part of your routine. Whatever they are, are they working? Or do they need tweaking? How would it serve you to up-level a habit — or maybe two? Something to think about.
Noticing, Allowing, Shifting
Woke up today with a real sense of restlessness. Four hours later, and I’m still in that space. Have tried to channel it a bit — clearing, purging, following up — essentially doing tasks that I tell myself need to be done, and that once done will alleviate the jittery feeling in my stomach. And yet, the restlessness continues. So, what to do?
My sense is that, from a leadership perspective, restlessness is a signal of some sort. What it’s signaling I have yet to figure out. Is there something I’m forgetting? Is there something needing my attention? Am I sensing something in the energy “out there” that I just haven’t yet been able to name? Or is it simply a signal to take a break and get out of my head? I’m really not sure. Each of these possibilities has resonance to some degree or another. And given this uncertainty, it would be really easy for me to “get stuck” today — and stay stuck. But I’m determined to not get stuck. I’m determined to stay in the flow, the flow that has been so much a part of my experience of the last few days.
Now here’s an interesting realization; lines up with a “stick flowing in the river” metaphor. As I picture this stick, I envision it getting stuck along it’s route, likely between two rocks or something of the sort. Being determined to stay in the flow, doesn’t actually serve it in getting unstuck. “Stuck” is a real part of it’s journey. So maybe, rather than trying to get unstuck, there’s something to be said for me in allowing the stuckness/restlessness as simply part of the flow, rather than contrary to it. Maybe that’s what will ultimately shift the restlessness — allowing, rather than resisting.
That’s where I’m at in this moment. Going to go allow the restlessness, even as I know my objective is flow. It’s all part of the deal. Moving with and through the restlessness is bound to take me forward. time to stop resisting and judging, and start allowing and shifting — and ultimately leading. This is good.