The lies we've been living with...
Happy Summer (or winter for some of you) Solstice!!
The world is beginning to open up a little more and as we begin to crawl out of the covid shell, we're starting to evaluate what the new "normal" looks like. What were we doing before Covid that the past year has proven isn't necessary?
For instance, more and more companies are realizing that the traditional way of working is no longer...well...working.
For most of my adult life, I went into an office and sat behind a desk all day. The mindset was if someone wasn't in the office, behind their desk, then they weren't working. I understand this is not fact, but it was my perception for a long time simply based on my experience.
Once I started working from home, I found myself feeling guilty anytime I wasn't behind the computer. I'd even feel a little guilty for doing laundry between meetings. After a few months, I realized I was getting all my work done faster than I would have in an office. I could go long periods of time with direct focus, get up and walk around or make some lunch if I was feeling stuck on a project, etc. I was doing better in less time than if I worked the "traditional" way. But still, I'd sit behind my computer even if my work was done because I didn't want it to seem like I wasn't working.
Fast forward to today and even though I own my own business, I still feel guilty when I'm not behind my computer. This is a mindset I'm really trying to release. It's been ingrained in me:
Being behind your computer = working hard
Working hard = success
Therefore not being behind your computer = not successful
Seems a little ridiculous doesn't it? In fact, this mindset is holding me back because there are other things I want and need to do each day that will help me succeed and don't require ANY technology.
So this has me thinking...what other outdated mindsets are holding me back from growth?
I've been reading the book Essentialism by Greg Mckeown and so much of what he shares in his book resonates with me. I love efficiency, I love reviewing processes and finding ways to improve the process and eliminate steps allowing me more time to focus on what is essential. But I never thought about doing this with my mindset and habits.
So this week I'm focusing on letting go of this computer/working mindset that's holding me back and analyzing other habits and mindsets that are no longer serving my current phase in life. I'm simply asking myself throughout the day...why am I doing this specific task? How is this helping me get closer to my goals, improving my health or bringing me joy?
I think taking a step back and checking in with your beliefs and habits can not only help you remove things that are no longer true for you but also help reinforce and therefore reprioritize the habits and mindsets that are key to your success.
What mindset have you had most of your life that is no longer helping or possibly even holding you back from growth?