How brave and inspiring to be so honest! And although I am late to the party I also want to congratulate you to put your mental health first a few weeks ago.
I have seen many colleagues, employees and friends working themselves into the ground - and I have been right among them for awhile too. As an outsider, when I'd seen it and intervened, I'd liked to compare it to them to the security brief on the airplane: in order to be able to help other people, you must make sure that you get sufficient oxygen first. You must make sure that you have the energy to be there for other people - especially if it is a marathon and not a sprint.
Thanks Stella! I was unemployed for 15 years before I finally decided to reenter the work force last year... and in the past 18 months I've burned out a lot! So I'm glad I decided to stop doing that, take care of my mental health, and look for a better way.
Putting it all in the line seems to me to be your MOO!!
In reading your newsletters I find you are very open with your thoughts and feelings. So much so that it got me to thinking about my way of writing.
I tend to hold back as I do in my own “Stand-up” daily life. That tends to make me seem uncommitted to any emotion even though my abundance of thoughts are swirling around in my mind vying for attention before I choose one!
While standing there before the onlookers I must seem to be frozen as I stammer for my words and when they do come I speak so quickly that they don’t understand me because it sounds like a foreign language!
Writing has always been my favorite way of communicating for that reason. AWAI says the best writers are people who are always reading others’ work as well.
How true that is! Such variation in communication! Those that do it best seem to have a flow from themselves of making such clear visions to their audience.
I’m finding my voice in this reality I am creating to share with others.
I spent fifteen years (more than that depending on when I start counting from) keeping EVERY genuine thought to myself because I was afraid of being ridiculed.
A few years ago I finally opened up, and what I realized is that I am a happier person when I put everything on the line.
My relationships are deeper and more fulfilling because I’m willing to share everything.
And because I even talk about my own insecurities — it can’t hurt me now if somebody else does pick on me, because once it’s out in the open I can’t be embarrassed by it the same way I used to be.
It’s still hard and scary a lot of the time. But between the two extremes, I would MUCH RATHER be too open, then too reserved.
How brave and inspiring to be so honest! And although I am late to the party I also want to congratulate you to put your mental health first a few weeks ago.
I have seen many colleagues, employees and friends working themselves into the ground - and I have been right among them for awhile too. As an outsider, when I'd seen it and intervened, I'd liked to compare it to them to the security brief on the airplane: in order to be able to help other people, you must make sure that you get sufficient oxygen first. You must make sure that you have the energy to be there for other people - especially if it is a marathon and not a sprint.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks Stella! I was unemployed for 15 years before I finally decided to reenter the work force last year... and in the past 18 months I've burned out a lot! So I'm glad I decided to stop doing that, take care of my mental health, and look for a better way.
I appreciate your support!
Thanks for another thoughtful, hear-felt and provocative article Michael.
Thank you Nancy! I’m really glad it spoke to you.
Putting it all in the line seems to me to be your MOO!!
In reading your newsletters I find you are very open with your thoughts and feelings. So much so that it got me to thinking about my way of writing.
I tend to hold back as I do in my own “Stand-up” daily life. That tends to make me seem uncommitted to any emotion even though my abundance of thoughts are swirling around in my mind vying for attention before I choose one!
While standing there before the onlookers I must seem to be frozen as I stammer for my words and when they do come I speak so quickly that they don’t understand me because it sounds like a foreign language!
Writing has always been my favorite way of communicating for that reason. AWAI says the best writers are people who are always reading others’ work as well.
How true that is! Such variation in communication! Those that do it best seem to have a flow from themselves of making such clear visions to their audience.
I’m finding my voice in this reality I am creating to share with others.
Keep growing and expanding your voice!
Laura thank you so much!
I spent fifteen years (more than that depending on when I start counting from) keeping EVERY genuine thought to myself because I was afraid of being ridiculed.
A few years ago I finally opened up, and what I realized is that I am a happier person when I put everything on the line.
My relationships are deeper and more fulfilling because I’m willing to share everything.
And because I even talk about my own insecurities — it can’t hurt me now if somebody else does pick on me, because once it’s out in the open I can’t be embarrassed by it the same way I used to be.
It’s still hard and scary a lot of the time. But between the two extremes, I would MUCH RATHER be too open, then too reserved.