This week marks the beginning of fall (here in the Northern hemisphere). It’s a time of dramatic change in the natural world (think days getting shorter, squirrels gathering nuts, etc). It is also a time when the pace of life seems to speed up for a lot of us.
I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how busy they are right now, and I’m definitely feeling it myself.
At the same time, I know that a lot of us feel like fall can signal a new beginning in certain ways. Ingrained within our culture is the feeling of a “new school year” and the idea of getting a fresh start again. Which can be exciting, but also daunting if we are also feeling everything pile on at the same time.
So I’d like to open a thread to explore these ideas together with our change community here — check-in a bit with each other and share some of the challenges we’re facing.
How are you feeling about the pace of life and work right now?
Do you feel rushed right now? If so, what challenges are you feeling because of it?
I’m really interested to hear from you! Share your check-in in the Comments below.
There are still some spots left but time is running out. Learn more at this recent post. Email me at murawski27@gmail.com if you have questions. We have such a great group, and I’m really excited to share more!
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As a consultant, I'm feeling what I think is a result of the pandemic, where many projects got put on hold or "started and stopped and started" in 2020-2021 and then more new projects also started to develop late last year. And now we are experiencing a log jam of work like I've never seen with many projects (some of them 3 years long bc of the pandemic) ending at the same time. I wish it hadn't turned out this way, but it has taught me its OK to say NO (or just Not Now) and that feels good. Grateful to be busy, but also hoping things settle down in 2023.
I have been readjusting to full-time work over the past few months. As things become a little busier in my new role, I'm seeing the benefits of the good routines and habits I was able to establish during a slower period. This short term contract is providing good opportunities for professional development and financial security, and I have been prioritizing my own creative projects outside of work hours. I'm enjoying process, not working towards any specific goals or outcomes.
like Elizabeth .....saying YES.....but also working on that work / life balance. New work challenge that is filling lots of time is getting used to using new technologies and (what seem like) new post-covid apps. The content is no challenge, and the promise of new ideas at a new gig is exciting; but getting up to speed with how to enter information, write reports, fill in new matrices and charts, master new programs.....this is taking up more time than anticipated.
I have created my own rushing. With opportunities abounding, I keep saying "YES!" Each opportunity looks do-able and intriguing, or soul-filling: seeing friends, taking a class, teaching something new, running an initiative. So many delights! Fall is a time when a lot of the laxity of summer dissipates and my delights must suddenly fit in smaller boxes.
As a consultant, I'm feeling what I think is a result of the pandemic, where many projects got put on hold or "started and stopped and started" in 2020-2021 and then more new projects also started to develop late last year. And now we are experiencing a log jam of work like I've never seen with many projects (some of them 3 years long bc of the pandemic) ending at the same time. I wish it hadn't turned out this way, but it has taught me its OK to say NO (or just Not Now) and that feels good. Grateful to be busy, but also hoping things settle down in 2023.
I have been readjusting to full-time work over the past few months. As things become a little busier in my new role, I'm seeing the benefits of the good routines and habits I was able to establish during a slower period. This short term contract is providing good opportunities for professional development and financial security, and I have been prioritizing my own creative projects outside of work hours. I'm enjoying process, not working towards any specific goals or outcomes.
like Elizabeth .....saying YES.....but also working on that work / life balance. New work challenge that is filling lots of time is getting used to using new technologies and (what seem like) new post-covid apps. The content is no challenge, and the promise of new ideas at a new gig is exciting; but getting up to speed with how to enter information, write reports, fill in new matrices and charts, master new programs.....this is taking up more time than anticipated.
I have created my own rushing. With opportunities abounding, I keep saying "YES!" Each opportunity looks do-able and intriguing, or soul-filling: seeing friends, taking a class, teaching something new, running an initiative. So many delights! Fall is a time when a lot of the laxity of summer dissipates and my delights must suddenly fit in smaller boxes.