Do you ever say this about work?
Do you ever say this about work?
“Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I’m just coming up for air.”
I've sent this a million types. It's a common response for a busy period. Totes normal!
Or is it?
Then I said the words out loud, "Coming up for air."
COMING UP FOR AIR?
A swimming reference for the need to breathe (thus not die) for a busy time at work. How fucking fucked is that?
So many thoughts.
How did this reference seep its way into work culture?
When did this become a common reference where no one questions it?
Why do we accept crippling busy-ness as ok?
Regardless of the idiom’s origins, the statement is indicating a person who is struggling. They're in survival mode, a stress state. This is not ok nor should it be normal.
Yet, I notice it in myself. When I am juggling too much and feeling loads of pressure, I get so hyper-focused on work that I neglect things that are important for me: downtime, rest, nutritious food, movement, friends & fam time.
But to put work ahead of those things is ridiculous. These are fundamental needs. They’re necessary to be good at work, more importantly, to be good at living. And isn’t the point of life to enjoy those things? To feel fulfilled rather than depleted? I know busy-seasons happen and it ebbs and flows, but I'd guess we let busy-ness take over. What do you think?
So what could we do to make work levels sustainable? more fulfilling?
How can work be more like the adventure of diving & swimming in the ocean and not the coming-up-for-air part?
Talk soon,
Coach Miche Miche
Fun updates & ideas!
#1 Updates
I have a business Whatsapp now! Text me maybe?
305-563-8181
#2 Journal prompts
What typically leads to this level of busy-ness?
How do I feel by the time I reach that come-up-for-air feeling?
#3 Action
Use the journal prompt to identify your patterns, i.e. the circumstances & reactions that lead to this level of busy-ness. Then brainstorm what you could give yourself during this time to prevent the come-up-for-air feeling.