How to create ‘flexible space’ and look at capacity using an easy tool
What do you do when the unexpected happens? How do you react and how do you accommodate the surprise new issue/drama that is need of instant attention? What lessons can we learn in the work space in bending our capacity to navigate the unknown?
Earlier this week I drove half way round the county to find emergency veterinary care for one of our axolotls, Tiny, which had taken ill. The other one we’d already lost and our household was in a state of mini trauma on the last day of the holidays.
I drove along thinking ‘what the hell am I doing driving to the other side of the Lake District? It’s probably going to die anyway and it’s costing a fortune in petrol. It’s the last day of the holidays, I’ve got school trousers still to take up and we are supposed to be having a ‘fun’ day…. etc etc…’
But I made space for it, drove there, saw a vet, dispensed antibiotics and have actually saved the little critter.
So this leads me to ponder the questions above - What do you do when the unexpected happens? How do you react and how do you accommodate the surprise new issue/drama that is need of instant attention? What lessons can we learn in the work space in bending our capacity to navigate the unknown?
In coaching of course there are a vast array of tools at hand to strategise about unknowns and unforeseen challenges. One analogy I find effective with clients is a very simple process - seeing personal capacity as a pie chart. Here, you can divide the pie chart up according to what demands you have on your time, energy and emotional load - but because the pie chart is whole you cannot add in more slices, you can only make the other slices smaller to create ‘flexibility’ space. The bottom line - something else has got to give.
How many of us fill up all of our time and energy with the tasks at hand, without leaving space for unknowns? Do you make it a habit to create space? Space to pause, breathe?
I am now spending my mornings defrosting blood worms and cleaning syringes in hot water - not what I need on my agenda this week I can tell you.
But it was important to save Tiny and we are celebrating that he’s still with us.
If you would like to chat about how you can improve your time management, or want to take a look at what’s on your load and what’s important aligned to your values - give me a shout. Pop a time in the calendar here.
#timemanagement
#personalleadership
#flexibility
#breathingspace
#fullagenda
