Keeping life’s ‘bubble’ centered takes diligence

Published July 4, 2022 Herald Forum

I wrote in an earlier column about “The Great Resignation,” as so many are calling it, and “The Great Recruitment.”

I like the notion of framing it as a great reimagining. Reimagining our relationship with work, time, family, self and identity.

And now, that’s what I’m doing.

My last day with Leadership Snohomish County, an organization that is reflected in my very heartbeat, a job I have loved intensely, was May 31. I have opened my own consulting business. I am excited to work even more closely with my strengths and innate gifts.

I look forward to expressing my own artistic talents in this next chapter. I also will get a chance to do a deep dive on systems work and read so many books that are calling my name.

I have always struggled with giving myself permission to be creative. Oddly so, as I am a former owner of an art and fine craft gallery. I excelled at holding others up and helping them to celebrate their own talents. Really, that is what leading the leadership program has been about as well.

We go through so much of our lives putting that potential on the back burner. Waiting for the huge chunk of time that never seems to manifest to prioritize the things we want to do. The trips we want to take. The individuals we want to share time with. In the meantime, we might run some phenomenal meetings, balance some lofty budgets, and hit those key performance indicators out of the expectation park.

Does that sound familiar? Are you also choosing this time to take a chance and make a change?

A Microsoft survey of more than 30,000 global workers showed that 41 percent were considering quitting or changing professions this year. A study from human resources software company Personio of workers in the United Kingdom and Ireland showed that 38 percent of those surveyed planned to quit in the next six months to a year.

In the United States alone, April saw more than four million people quit their jobs, according to a summary from the Department of Labor. That’s the biggest spike on record.

Workers have a voice now, with a lot of leverage, and are asking for what they want. Higher pay. Better working conditions. More flexibility. Humane working hours and schedules.

For the first time in my lifetime, employers need workers more than workers need the employers.

I often hear that those under age 40 are much better at working to live, rather than living to work. There seems to be some truth in that for many who are quitting their jobs; the desire to have a quality life and time with those we care about. Balance.

When my boys were 2 and 4 years old, I started wearing a “bubble level” necklace. As a parent of small children, everything was so out of balance. We are told that work/family balance is a goal. With that in mind, I purchased this necklace from a public radio catalog. I have worn that necklace for 24 years now. I even have a backup, just in case something might happen to the one that I have.

The minute it arrived, I put it on, looked in the mirror and got it all lined up. I was not even a half-bubble off plumb. I had done it. I was level. Balanced. And then I breathed in. What? I was immediately out of balance.

I wear this necklace every day to remind myself that balance is elusive. It is a big-picture thing. When we have small children, we need to work to prioritize our partners. When we are in a new job, we have to work to make time for friends. When we meet that special someone, we have to try to see past anything other than that love.

Balance is a big-picture endeavor. I’ll be seeking to find it, and keep finding it, as I reimagine my relationship with work, time, family, self and identity. I’d love to hear about how you’re doing that, too.

Photo by Eran Menashri on Unsplash