MIND newsletter: Survive or thrive? Aikido and career transition
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all will have a memorable December and set a good start for next year.
1. M (Challenge your mindset)
In Aikido (a Japanese martial art) we have something called randori – defense against multiple attackers. The word literally means “grasping chaos”. Yes, just imagine 3-4 people rushing toward you and trying to attack you nonstop for 20-30 mins, while your job is not only to survive but also to thrive. Philosophically put, “randori practice requires the practitioner to become one with the stream of time moving continuously in body and mind, never allowing his mind to stop his focus on any detail nor allowing his body to over commit to any technical element.”
When I first did it, it was nearly impossible for me to go past 5 mins. My Sensei had to stop me and asked: “Tam, are you breathing?”. Lesson learned, the most important principle here, though seemingly too obvious, is remembering to breathe. Without that, you can’t go any further.
I find it somewhat resembles a career transition. It always comes with many insecurities and fear, attacking you at the same time. Focusing too much on either thinking or doing can be equally dangerous. If you don’t regulate your well-being continuously, you will be swallowed in that chaos.
Remember to breathe! In another word, survive before you can thrive.
2. I (I’m my own coach)
Well-being no longer means just physical or mental health. Gallup’s study of 160 countries on this topic revealed 5 additive elements of well-being:
- Career well-being: You like what you do every day
- Social well-being: You have meaningful relationships in your life
- Financial well-being: you manage your money well
- Physical well-being: you have the energy to get things done
- Community well-being: you like where you live and feel belonged
Gallup states that career well-being is the most important element and the foundation of the other four. I would argue that. For people in the middle of a career transition, taking care of the other four I believe is the only way to make sure you survive so that you can thrive.
If you are in a career transition, are planning one, or helping others on this journey, make sure to also create a support system for the other four elements: social, financial, physical and community well-being.
3. N (The power of Now)
Which element(s) is out of balance for you now?
4. D (Do)
Who can you call or talk with to help you bring back the balance for the element in question 3?
Start by reaching out to them (now).
