Back to work (part 1 of 3)
BACK to work!!!
All good things come to an end, so the old saying goes.
My sabbatical is slowly coming to an end and I am getting ready to resurface in Switzerland/Europe (will be in Poland for a week or so next month, a week in Germany the month after…). What I have learned and what is next are my topics for the next few blogs. Some things are not really new, though: I know that rest and reflection are key to growth and productivity and thus my sabbatical was a strategic part of the plan for my next chapter as a coach, supervisor, and spiritual director.
Self-reflection is key to almost any solution.
When I am honest with myself I hopefully can see how I could possibly be part of the presenting issue. But it is hard to get past my own self-defense mechanisms alone. Thus, it is in reflection (and often in community) that you and I find out our blind spots, see where we are part of the problem and then can grow.
This kind of learning only happens if we are willing to subject ourselves to reflection. Many people reflect in a coaching or supervision relationship, but of course there are other ways to find a reflecting community (spiritual direction or Balint groups, for example). So, when I allow myself to be with someone or in a group where I become vulnerable, I acknowledge that I might possibly be part of the problem, and I listen to first of all to myself, but also to others, especially to those with whom I might disagree.
The listening to others is also very important for the reflection process. We often only read and listen to opinions and ideas that corroborate our own thoughts, ideas, and opinions (i.e. on social media). But if we do this, how are we going to grow? Thus, integrity is also part of our solution.
Your physical and mental health depend on R&R, so does your creativity, energy for work and your productivity, in general!
Studies have shown that we need to take time away from the daily schedule of work for our health, whatever that place activity and might be. It is the “other” that causes restoration and growth. For example, new places make new mental neuron synapses grow and rest the overused “pathways” of much used tracks of thinking in our brains.
Not only that, but stress levels are reduced and therefore, productivity increases with a break in work. Employers should be sending their team members away more often just for better productivity—and for better creativity. The employees return to work relaxed and healthier, ready for more challenges to be overcome.
Your need to relax or you might find it difficult to do so later on
It has been shown that, depending on your actual stress level at any point in time, it will take more or less time to unwind and really relax. If you go for too long, it becomes increasingly difficult to wind down. Eventually, you will be unable to “remember how to relax”, and may be in danger of burnout. Therefore, even long weekends with no emails are recommended to keep you “in practice”.
I have had a lot of relax and reflect time now and in the next two blogs I will write about what comes after the R&R - but my question to you is, “Have you had some R&R? When are you planning your next holidays?”
Enjoy your last summer days (I will!)!
Patricia Jehle patricia@jehle-coaching
