We all operate in our own personal or professional realities. There are infinite external factors that impact our realities, both positive and negative, which naturally impacts how we deal with others. At the age of 40, I think I am finally learning that there are only so many things I can do to control my personal reality, and even less things I can do to control my professional reality. But, I can control my sanity, regardless of the external factors that surround me.
I spent a good deal of my career attempting to positively impact the companies I worked for through process implementation and heavy collaboration. I still believe and will continue to believe strongly in both of these practices. However, I now know better that unless others around me have a shared vision of success, it is impossible to achieve a common reality. This does not mean it is okay to give up on reaching a common goal or lowering the bar in order to make things easier. It means that your reality requires a lot more effort, communication and evaluation in order to develop and implement a shared outcome. Which most times does not equate to finding one's own personal sanity or safe zone. While it is vital that all of us continue to work positively impact our personal and professional realities, it is important to remember that we need to take breaks and find our own sanity as well. I have read about some companies that require their employees to take paid multiple-month sabbaticals after every several years of work. Employees' mobile phones, email addresses, laptops and building access credentials are put on lock-down. Individuals are forced to renew their sanity...which in turn, will make it easier for them to come back and re-create their realities.
