I spent yesterday fighting everything because of a business cycle that we’ve hit so many times and I was tired of cycling. By the evening I had turned into an insane person. I probably would have done better to acknowledge and accept the season and learn to flow inside it.
Then I did yoga and everything was ok again. That’s my best mechanism for coping with season change and just making my life good in general.
For anyone else who’s interacting with this one, what do you do to find flow and opportunities in seasons you may or may not like?
I completely recognise what you describe Jecelyn - I think of it like a theme park where you don't get to choose the rides but have to go on them all and in random orders. The trick is learning how to ride the rides....some I love, others I hate, some make me sick, others are exciting, a few are boring, and the occasional one is intensely annoying. When have one of those periods I say to myself "huh! this ride is it??" and then strap in and switch the GoPro on!!!
A wise friend of mine not too far away from this comment once said that you first have to turn up - even when things are tough the fact that you are still turning up and riding the ride is testament to your character and will reap you rewards in the future....
I have two thoughts that may or may not be useful.
1 is for now.
Can you mentally step outside of this cycle, understand the game that’s being played and see a way to do it on your terms instead of someone else’s? That could mean changing what you are doing. It could also mean reframing what you are doing so that you think about it in a different way.
2 is for the next time round.
Is this cycle like an Arizona summer, i.e. something that you have no control over and just have to make it through? Or can this cycle be broken by changing something? The thing that needs changed may be hard to change and it will likely be at a part of the cycle where things seem to be fine in the moment but they are inevitably leading towards where you are now. If you can’t change the cycle, you’ll want to make sure your mental air conditioning is working well before it starts to get hot again.
#2 is where I am at right now. I am currently contemplating starting a college certification course so I can set myself up to move on from my current position one day. Right now, today, I love my job, but there are many seasons when I feel I am at a breaking point both mentally and physically with it.
I am turning 50 this year and while I am a lifetime learner, I am feeling how hard it is to make this decision and just go for it. It will mean a very intense season for me in the immediate future as I struggle to balance work, school and personal time. I am scared that I will not be strong enough to do it, but I think I need to push through that fear. I can never succeed if I don't try!
I am still on the fence but I am leaning toward doing it. Thanks for providing a little more clarity. I love your emails and the Seasons is particularly good!
I’m so glad you love TREE, Vicki! Thank you for being part of it.
10 years ago I did a degree while working full time. It was intense. It was also one of my favourite things I have done. It really helped that I had a very supportive wife, tolerant kids and a great boss. I’m a big fan of continuing education.
But that was me. Of course you’ll make the right choice for you. It sounds like you probably already know what it is.
Also this: https://twitter.com/MatthewEPierce/status/1363680539325198337
Thanks, Steve Davies (https://www.instagram.com/_getsteve/) for prompting seasons week by sending me a link to this lovely illustration: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMSkZcslno/
I spent yesterday fighting everything because of a business cycle that we’ve hit so many times and I was tired of cycling. By the evening I had turned into an insane person. I probably would have done better to acknowledge and accept the season and learn to flow inside it.
Then I did yoga and everything was ok again. That’s my best mechanism for coping with season change and just making my life good in general.
For anyone else who’s interacting with this one, what do you do to find flow and opportunities in seasons you may or may not like?
I completely recognise what you describe Jecelyn - I think of it like a theme park where you don't get to choose the rides but have to go on them all and in random orders. The trick is learning how to ride the rides....some I love, others I hate, some make me sick, others are exciting, a few are boring, and the occasional one is intensely annoying. When have one of those periods I say to myself "huh! this ride is it??" and then strap in and switch the GoPro on!!!
A wise friend of mine not too far away from this comment once said that you first have to turn up - even when things are tough the fact that you are still turning up and riding the ride is testament to your character and will reap you rewards in the future....
I have two thoughts that may or may not be useful.
1 is for now.
Can you mentally step outside of this cycle, understand the game that’s being played and see a way to do it on your terms instead of someone else’s? That could mean changing what you are doing. It could also mean reframing what you are doing so that you think about it in a different way.
2 is for the next time round.
Is this cycle like an Arizona summer, i.e. something that you have no control over and just have to make it through? Or can this cycle be broken by changing something? The thing that needs changed may be hard to change and it will likely be at a part of the cycle where things seem to be fine in the moment but they are inevitably leading towards where you are now. If you can’t change the cycle, you’ll want to make sure your mental air conditioning is working well before it starts to get hot again.
#2 is where I am at right now. I am currently contemplating starting a college certification course so I can set myself up to move on from my current position one day. Right now, today, I love my job, but there are many seasons when I feel I am at a breaking point both mentally and physically with it.
I am turning 50 this year and while I am a lifetime learner, I am feeling how hard it is to make this decision and just go for it. It will mean a very intense season for me in the immediate future as I struggle to balance work, school and personal time. I am scared that I will not be strong enough to do it, but I think I need to push through that fear. I can never succeed if I don't try!
I am still on the fence but I am leaning toward doing it. Thanks for providing a little more clarity. I love your emails and the Seasons is particularly good!
I’m so glad you love TREE, Vicki! Thank you for being part of it.
10 years ago I did a degree while working full time. It was intense. It was also one of my favourite things I have done. It really helped that I had a very supportive wife, tolerant kids and a great boss. I’m a big fan of continuing education.
But that was me. Of course you’ll make the right choice for you. It sounds like you probably already know what it is.