(Note, this is not really about tomatoes). The last few weeks have turned the world upside down, everything has changed. Some people are quite enjoying the space and peace that lock down gives them. Most are feeling somewhat discombobulated about the whole situation. In my own world, lots has stayed the same, and lots has changed. We’ve been working flat out to support clients with their changing and urgent learning needs, we’ve been trying to reconfigure learning offerings to keep our people in work all over the world, and we’ve been adapting to working with our families around us – who also need support whilst their worlds have equally been turned upside down.
It’s hard to see the good in any of it, and whilst climate change and an openness to flexible working might be some long-term macro benefits, the reality is most people are in the midst of both personal and work confusion.
So how do we focus on something meaningful right here and now? I spent the first week or so running around probably achieving little, but feeling very busy. Now I’m more focused, and part of that is because of goals. I have stopped, reflected and taken the time to think about the answers to these key questions…
So, if my world is going to look like this for the next 12 weeks, what would I really like to have achieved in that time? What are my new 12 week goals?
Things I have been putting off, procrastinating over, wanting to do but just not having time, thinking would be a good idea but not quite prioritising. So, I’ve set myself some positive 12 week goals, both personally and for work. It’s given focus and an optimistic outlook for me, and for those around me. I’ve shared my goals with my family, and also with my team. As a leader, I’ve also encouraged my team to think about their own 12 week goals, and how we can support one another to achieve them. The results are brilliant, hilarious and deeply focused. We have team members aiming to ‘not kill any of their family members’, ‘learn to play an instrument’, ‘read a book every week’, ‘learn a new skill’, ‘more exercise, less wine’, ‘apply for professional memberships’ and much, much, more. We talk about our progress each week and keep each other looking forwards with a positive outlook.
One of my own goals is to have the ‘best veggie patch ever’. I really do love the serenity and satisfaction of gardening, especially growing edible plants. There is something quite mesmerising watching the tiny shoots turn into something so nurturing and beautiful. (I feel the same about people and their growth, except I don’t want to eat them). I got the passion for plants from my late grandmother, and when I’m in the garden I definitely feel like I’m in a zen-like space. But sadly, every year I start with gusto, digging the veggie patch and planting carefully, watering regularly…. then slightly less regularly…. then the weeds take over, and a hot spell without water causes untold damage. Most years – literally and metaphorically, my enthusiasm withers and dies. Honestly, I’ve never managed tomatoes – they need too much attention and I’ve just never got them right. Two weeks ago, I planted tomato seeds, I’ve been nurturing them daily and willing them to grow strong. This year will be different, because I’ve told you all and because it’s one of my 12 week goals.
So, what are your 12 week goals? Make them positive and optimistic – make this time count and do something large or small that you can feel proud of. And feel free to ask me in a few weeks’ time how my tomatoes are doing!