Busted
by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 03/02/10 at 12:11 pm
Day 61
Some of you think you’ve caught me red-handed – working.
I’ve had a number of messages (thanks for your sarcasm, your curiosity, your concern) referring to evidence that I’m doing things that look like work.
(Pause)
(Reflect)
(Accept intervention message)
Maybe you’re right. I am having more temptation than I expected to dip my toe into…OK, I’ll say it, work.
If this is a meeting, I’ll come clean. One of my former clients and I talked for over an hour yesterday. She said our conversation helped her a lot. I got high on that. It was surprising to me what a rush I got from her feeling of becoming unstuck and energetic.
Today when I was just lying in bed, reading other people’s tweets, I saw a notice that the International Coach Federation Board was having an open call in five minutes. I dialed in, thinking I’d put it on speaker and mute myself and listen like it was the radio, in the background, while I did non-work things.
But the board members who were on the call outnumbered the callers. I was only the second “civilian,” and the last to join the call. So I participated vocally. I admit it. It was work-related. Work I said I wouldn’t be doing this year.
The Coaching Commons (http://coachingcommons.org) is in the process of commissioning freelance reporting. I am having a very difficult time keeping my hands off of that. It’s my wheelhouse , for cryin’ out loud! But my team has been very effective at gently removing my paw.
And I do have some work commitments that have not been put on hold this year because I made, you know, commitments. I have a quarterly meeting with one of my biggest grantees this week, and I’m participating in research with another grantee today and tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I hear you. Thank you. I mean it. I guess that’s one of the advantages of making your commitments in public, because you will be held accountable. If you really mean it, tell people. They’ll bust you if you stray, and I’ve been busted.
Thus endeth the sabbatical lesson of the day.
5 Comments
Rosemary Hayes
Mar 2nd, 2010
I don't see how anyone can be perfect at something like dropping all work except for a few commitments. Maybe one of the sabbatical lessons = accept the occasional bend in the rules as a liberation of sorts, too. Look how much fun the coaching call was, after all!
Cyn Liggett
Mar 2nd, 2010
"I made a commitment to myself to take some time – for the first time in my life – to consciously do nothing. I am going to try not to try." you said to us on day 1. From where I sit, you are writing about responding daily to what you want to be a part of or play/grow/nurture/develop/hold space for and with…and that seems to fit perfectly with sabbactical…so…. tell me more… define sabbatical for me/us once more from where you stand 61 days in. What's different in you and how you define this intentional space now as you go forward dear woman? I am willing to join those who hold you accountable to your sabbatical – so long as it's your definition and what you desire most. These "things" you are doing seem mighty on top of who I see you "being" and therein, I"m not so ready to call "busted" on the oh so curious and enlightend you.
Robyn Logan
Mar 2nd, 2010
I think when you love what you do the concept "working" is redundant. Maybe it is a certain type of "work" that you wanted to stay away from? Wheras other types of "work" are not "work" for you?
Christine Heinrichs
Mar 3rd, 2010
Perhaps rigidly confining oneself to pursuit of any goal is pointless. This is life, it's complicated.
Linda Just
Mar 3rd, 2010
It's hard not to be in the 'game' of life!
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