More! Better! Faster! 🤥

Within 5 seconds, I'd dropped my snack on the floor, hit my head, and almost tripped over my own two feet.  

I had to chuckle, even as I rubbed my sore head.  

When I get extra clumsy like this I can now recognize it as a sign that I'm dysregulated.  Or, in other words, something in my nervous system is not feeling safe, calm, and connected.

Just one of my signs, but a consistent one that's hard to miss!  🤕 

On this occasion, rushing was the culprit.  As I was trying to speed efficiently along to the next thing on the list, my nervous system was starting to get alarmed.  The more it perceived something wrong, the less efficient (and coordinated) I became!

(Don't worry, because I knew exactly what was happening, the recovery was also very quick!  After taking a breath and refocusing, I moved safely to my desk chair without further injury!) 🪑😂

This habit of rushing seems to surface repeatedly with clients and organizations with whom I work as well.

In a culture that's obsessed with productivity as a measure of a person's worth and value, I witness amazing people harshly critique and berate themselves for not doing... More! Better! Faster! - independent of how much they've actually already accomplished!

Anything short of perfection seems equivalent to failure.  

In this grind, they feel worse and worse - about themselves, their lives, and the world - and moments of joy, gratitude, and connection feel harder and harder to embrace.  

If it continues, dysregulation threatens to become the "norm."  

And as it becomes the "new normal," it's more and more difficult to recognize how this unfair and unrealistic standard is actually costing them the very effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes they are trying so hard to achieve.   

The sacrifices in their work, relationships, and even in their internal world of emotions seem unavoidable.

While the signs of dysregulation vary widely...everything from speaking more loudly and quickly, craving caffeine or sweets, losing track of time, snapping at others, binge-watching old shows, or hours in the gym (as just a few of the nuances people have identified after mapping their unique nervous system)...the effects are the same.

Communication, problem-solving, ethical and moral reasoning, and healthy functioning of the entire body are compromised.  

It's pretty difficult to live your best life or get your best results and impact without those skillsets online!  

Yet, breaking the habit is tricky.  For many, rushing and measuring the day against expectations or accomplishments have been the habits of decades (or generations!) and the lie behind it is deceptive and convincing...hustle is necessary for survival.  

Time to rest?  

Time to have fun?

Time to play?

That has to be earned.

Or does it?

Tricia Hersey's work (also known as The Nap Bishop) does a great job standing this on its head, and others are thankfully doing so as well.  

If you want to support a mindset and culture shift, you might consider getting (or gifting) her Rest Deck.  I keep this on my desk to share with clients.  (No association, no commissions, just a tool I believe is useful for many).   

Recently, I pulled a card out that I've kept in the center of my desk for the past week...

It reminds me:

"I will unravel from urgency." 

And, 

"...When I act with urgency, I am ignoring the beauty of what is here right in front of me..."

Every time I read it I take a breath and remember that the rushing is costing me more than it's benefitting me.  

It's amazing how much can shift in that moment.  Sometimes I'm still surprised by the increased creativity, productivity, and meaning that follows.

Which brings me to my concern for how you are handling the fast-paced culture of “productivity as worth.”

• How do you handle the pace and pressures of daily tasks, work, family, and personal expectations?

• What reminds you of the value of tending to your needs?

• Do you recall examples in your life when prioritizing your wellbeing contributed to better outcomes?

• How do you protect yourself from unrealistic expectations that compromise your joy and impact?

It's impossible to maintain motivation, hope, and impact from a feeling of "failure" or "never enough."  

The world needs you healthy, whole, and confident in your worth so you can have (and sustain) your best impact.  

Please don't let these lasting tentacles of White Supremacist culture rob you of your wellbeing.

You matter.  You make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.