Jann’s Jottings #19

Newsletters

Feb 6

“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”

Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth and education/career.

Wellbeing Jot: The Juice and the Joy

Ever noticed that when we are doing something we really love we find ourselves in flow – that wonderful state when time stops, and we are totally present and immersed in our purpose? Turns out this is vital for our wellbeing. Dr Adam Fraser suggests in his Temporal Model of Wellbeing that we need to find 10-15 minutes per day for deep relaxation (not doom scrolling); a re-energising activity once a week in which our juice (purpose, aliveness) and joy (pleasure, satisfaction) overlap and one day a month with absolutely no agenda – just to be.

So, as we really get going now that school, work, uni and all our other commitments ramp up, have a go at what Adam Fraser suggests to keep your juice and joy topped up for your own wellbeing so you can give to others out of abundance not lack. I am doing this too!

Ponder this: What is your purpose and what brings joy?

Coaching can help with that.

Growth Jot: Correction and Criticism

Accepting correction and criticism are not on my favourite playlist. However, if we listen to constructive criticism we will be at home among the wise. Ever ignored advice that would have saved you time, money, effort, or heartache? I have. For example: overpacking on a hike and realising an hour after leaving that you can’t shoulder your load, or spending money on gambling when you know the odds are against you or weighing in on a conversation with judgement that wasn’t yours to contribute to. Heeding correction and reflecting on criticism leads to our own growth and more wisdom.

Ponder this: Call to mind a correction or criticism you received. What is the kernel of wisdom you can grow from?

Career Jot: Confirmation or Collaboration Bias

In leadership we know that collaboration builds bridges, not walls. I was reading about different types of bias and this resonated: As leaders we can seek confirmation of our ideas through data, information and people to confirm what we already believe. This helps to have our views supported and makes us feel confident. However, if we continually seek confirmation, we are at risk of missing out on other’s ideas or seeing novel solutions to problems.

To overcome confirmation bias we need to choose collaboration as a bias. This means bringing people together who have different views to increase our understanding, broaden our perspectives and challenge our thinking in an atmosphere of psychological safety, to freely and courageously contribute to the shared goal, vision and purpose.

When you feel yourself wanting to defend your thinking, ask yourself, “What can I learn from my colleague?” or ask them to explain an idea more fully before you shut it down. That defensive feeling is you leaning into your own confirmation bias. Choosing an intentional collaboration bias will build bridges, greater productivity, and better relationships, too.

“If you can’t work with those who disagree with you, you will never become the leader you could be” (John C Maxwell, High Road Leadership, 2024).

Coaching can help us find our blind spots.