People keep talking about “bouncing back” from this pandemic. I wonder if bouncing “back” is the wrong metaphor. Back infers we will return to something similar to what we had before. Instead of bouncing back, can we consider bouncing forward, to something new? Here are some reasons why we can choose to move towards something […]
Do We Bounce Back or Bounce Forward? Read More »
I’m writing this newsletter in the time of COVID-19 and the protests about George Floyd’s murder. I feel as if we are in much more chaos, even as we understand more about the virus. (I actually had to write What Do You Do When You’re Off-Center? before I wrote this.) I’ve been practicing these ideas and hope
Three Tips to Help Us Now & in the Future Read More »
I can’t seem to maintain my emotional balance. First the virus. Now the protests. I feel powerless and off-center. I am not in control of much. For those of you outside the US wondering what is happening: we have never examined the role slavery played in starting and building this country. Nor have we examined
What Do You Do When You’re Off-Center? Read More »
I’ve been thinking about how much power our elected officials have and how that varies by country. In the US, we grant power to the people we elect. And, we take back our power when we think they’ve gone “too far.” I live in Massachusetts, where we’ve had quite the outbreak of COVID-19. Our governor
How Do You Exercise Your Power? Read More »
We operate at various levels in our families, work, and society. We have shortcut names for these behaviors: the economic contract and the social contract. When we use the economic contract, we have a document that lays out our responsibilities and rewards. For example, at work, we have a contract for our job that discusses
When Do We Choose the Social Contract & When Do We Choose the Economic Contract? Read More »
We all practice being ready for our plans. For shopping, I make a list and decide in advance how I’ll pay. For travel, I plan when to make all the reservations and how I’ll get from one place to another. When I leave the house, I make sure to gather everything I need, especially now
What Do You Need to be Ready? Read More »
We’re in a new—and uncomfortable phase—of the COVID-19 crisis. We’re balancing these different decisions: Our individual decisions to limit our exposure to others. (A personal decision.) Our society’s need for us to return to work. (Our governor’s decision.) Assuming our work is open, our individual decisions to return to work. (A personal decision.) We’re making
How Do We Decide for Each Other? Read More »
We have some ideas about how to manage the coronavirus. We know that if we ask people to shelter in place—for a while—we can avoid overwhelming the local hospitals. Once we are past the initial surge of cases, we can begin limited reopening of our “common” areas. (Businesses, restaurants, parks, and more.) I see differing
Can We Choose for the Common Good? Read More »
As I write this newsletter, we still have plenty of uncertainty about everything. One of my colleagues told me she had trouble getting her head “back in the game.” She had trouble starting her work. She had trouble finishing. She sees her list of things, and in her words, “I just want to start happy
Three Secrets for Making “The Game” Possible Read More »
As I connect with various colleagues and friends who now work from home, they all say the same thing. “I’m always working. I work all day and all night. The work never ends.” They pause. “You’ve worked from home for years now. How do you manage it?” I create boundaries for my professional and home-based
How Can You Create Boundaries? Read More »