If You're Anything Like Me

If you’re anything like me, part of your mind has already finished reading this blog. It is thinking about the meeting you have in twenty minutes, strategizing ways to cut it short so you can meet your noon deadline on that other project. If you’re lucky, you can get out from behind your desk at lunchtime and grab a salad, though you’ll have to eat quickly so you can hurry back and draft that document that’s due by EOB. It’s unlikely you will complete it in time, since any number of coworkers are likely to poke their head into your door for a “quick minute” that will last at least ten no matter how many times you make it a point to check the clock on your phone. Oh, and somewhere in there you’ll have to answer approximately one gazillion emails.

Maybe, just maybe, you’ll get out of the office in time to meet some of your friends for drinks. By the second cocktail you’ll be relaxed enough to listen, connect, laugh, and perhaps for the first time all day, enjoy the moment.

If you’re anything like me, on your drive home, you might reflect on your day. You probably won’t put much value on the number of emails you sent or the volume of activity you produced. You will assess the choices you made, and you will ponder the interactions that were meaningful to you.

Let’s rewind back to now. You have the rest of the day ahead of you. Make a conscious effort to slow down a little. Take some time for yourself. Make eye contact, and seek to deepen your connection with your coworkers. Decide to do at least one thing that will make the short list of significant moments you review on your drive home.