Are you the kind of person who can travel light, or do you overpack to ensure you can deal with every situation – not just for you, but for everyone else too? Over the years, I’ve definitely become the second type, when I have the spoons.
Today’s thought: Just last month I travelled 100 miles to go for dinner at a place I’d been warned only took cash, and entirely forgot to bring my cash card. Which didn’t surprise anyone.
And perhaps because of that, I’ve also been the person with the Mary Poppins-esque bag which seems to have everything for every situation. Mini cutlery? I’m your girl. You’ve just been stung by nettles? No worries, I’ve got some hydrocortisone here…
I’ve watched every youtube video (well, maybe not all, but…) on EDCs and all the tiny tools, and my preferred sling bag has been referred to by others (affectionately!) as my “autism” bag, which has everything I need to feel comfortably prepared on a day out.
My natural tendency towards the first model drives the second, which is a lot of hard work. And both cause anxiety.
I WANT to be the person who everyone can rely on to have the right thing at the right time.
But the truth is, that’s not my job. I’m not responsible for everyone else. And trying to be creates a very heavy load – both literally and figuratively – to carry.
Today’s nudge: Write down 3 things you worry about or carry that aren’t actually yours to hold. Maybe it’s:
- That thing you delegated (provided you delegated well – that’s important too)
- A colleague’s inability to keep up with their task list
- A ridiculous and meaningless deadline because a client has left their request to the last minute
- Other people’s feelings about your decisions
- A sense of grievance from others about your opportunities
- Fixing a work situation that was someone else’s job
- Making everyone else happy at Christmas
Water bottle carabiners, cables for every possible device, stationery (just in case), sweeteners, tissues and…
Just write them down. Three things. Look at them.
Those aren’t yours. You can help when you choose to, but you don’t need to carry them. You can put them down now.
Today’s Prompt: If I put down everything that’s been loaded on to me by others, what’s left?
What would I do with that time and space, given the option?
And having considered that, what would I truly want to pick back up?