Buster, my Jack Russell, and I go for a walk every day – usually about 4-5 km. It’s a great start to the day for both of us and it takes about 50 minutes. But there is a route we often take when we are in London that causes an unusual disagreement between us. And it does that every time.
It happens in a woody piece of path that is at the beginning of our walk. After he has down his business (so that is not the cause of the disagreement) but before the walk has really got started. This woody 100-metre stretch is a favourite of dogs and must have a thousand smells for Buster to catch up on – a bit like a Facebook for Dogs stretch of wooded area – where he does his version of likes, comments and pokes to all the dogs who have been there since yesterday.
I use some of the time we walk to phone my aunt, chat to friends or Skype or talk to my clients if they have a big speech or event coming up that day. But Buster’s favourite area is also where there is no phone or internet coverage – (you would have thought that O2 would have London SE16 sorted by now but apparently not) – which means exactly where Buster wants to take his time and mooch – I am just getting going and can’t call or Skype anyone. Frustration!
So I drag him forward and he puts out all 4 legs like an anchor, turns his 9kg into a total dead weight and looks at me in an evil way. He wins, of course, and I laugh – at him or me, not sure which exactly. The calls are delayed until we get back in an area O2 has managed to conquer. “Whose walk is it anyway?”
Career stalled
I guess our daily conflict is a bit like one of the frustrations for job hunters or those with careers that seem stalled. Sometimes you just want to press forward, to “do stuff”, to be busy, to get ahead. But sometimes you are supposed to go slowly, or stop. Even if it feels wrong. Sometimes we needy to reflect on what is really important and not rush. Often when I do get back in the land of O2, after Buster has shown me who is boss and reminded me of my priorities (he is a huge Golf Ball in my life) I am more relaxed, leisurely and tolerant with my aunt, more use to my clients and more chatty with my friends.
So whether you feel your career is stalled or your job-hunt is on the rocks – sometimes you go forward faster by stopping for a while. Getting perspective. Spending time with family or friends, getting healthy or even taking a holiday to clear your head and get back some focus.
Sometimes our lives are supposed to go slower – adrenalin 24/7 is not a good thing. Although we may feel frustrated sometimes when we think we are achieving nothing – when life and work seem a bore and a dull drudge routine, without realising it we are actually growing/consolidating/recuperating. Most high achievers take time out from time to time to recuperate and refuel – why not you?