Most living beings are naturally meant to slow down after the tremendous energy expenditures of spring, summer, and autumn. But high achievers often attempt to stay in perpetual ‘blooming’ instead of embracing the critical metaphorical season of winter — a natural time to reflect, decide, and rest.
I call this phenomenon “repeatedly skipping winter.”
Repeatedly skipping winter is characterized by four key beliefs:
Belief One – You always have to be on
You always have to be “on” even when you don’t feel your best. You can’t afford to take your foot off the gas or else you’ll be passed over.
Belief Two – You must show that you’re being productive
Access to technology means you have to show that you are being productive.
Belief Three – Visible work is more important than what people can’t see
Blooming – aka visible work – matters more than invisible work that is happening underground. You can’t afford to be invisible.
Belief Four – Reflection and planning are optional
You don’t have to make time to reflect, plan, and strategize for your future.
Alternatively, the work of winter is quiet and private, but sets up the other seasons of your life. If these four belief have led you to burnout, here are four reframes you can adopt to begin shifting your behavior.
Reframe One – You can afford to take a break.
The opportunities that are meant for you will not pass you over. You do not have to jeopardize your mental health, physical health, or relationships for the appearance of being productive.
Reframe Two – You can manage expectations around the visibility of your work.
Technology is a powerful tool that can help you do your job better and more efficiently. It is up to you to use technology in a way that supports your goals instead of becoming beholden to every tool that gives others a window into what you’re doing at every moment. You set your own rules and boundaries for how you communicate what you’re doing to those that need to know.
Reframe Three – Important work is happening underground.
The important things that happen in the background are critical for the success of any achievement the world may see. Even if others don’t understand what you are doing behind the scenes, you know how important it is to give ample time to the quiet and less visible aspects of brand or career building that will help fortify what will eventually be visible above ground.
Reframe Four – Reflection and planning are essential components of your success.
It is incumbent upon you to make the time to reflect plan and strategize for your future. You are not willing to let your career or your life happen to you; instead, you are piloting this ship and plan to make regular time at least annually to review your goals assess where you are and make changes to how you are getting to your next key milestone if necessary.
Have you been repeatedly skipping winter? Which of these four beliefs do you need to release?