My dog, Mavis, has become my alarm clock. There is something about 6:30 pm that makes her start singing to me. Low guttural mini-howls. It is at this point that I usually realize I am holding my breath, shoulders up to my ears, staring into the abyss of my computer screen. If I don’t pay attention to her she will attempt to crawl in my lap, all 65 pounds of her. Then, and only then, do I return to my body. I realize that I need to get up, get out of my chair, move my body, get a snack, hydrate and breathe.
I have been a nonprofit leader for over 25 years. I can honestly say I have never felt this much stress, exhaustion, and overwhelming sense that I need to keep pushing. Yet I feel guilty even thinking about trying to take care of my own needs. I know there are a lot of people who work in nonprofits who feel the same. But I know that if I armor up, keep pushing, don’t pay attention to my own needs - then I am no good to anyone else. I know I get snappy, defiant and controlling. I lose my sense of collaboration, creativity and curiosity - all the things I need to be a good leader in this moment. My dog seems to know that too.
I know if I notice the tension in my body, attend to my needs, step away for a moment, I will have the resilience to keep going. I need reminders in my life, little alarm clocks, that get me out of my head and into my body.
So what is your alarm clock? Are you hungry? Need to breathe? Need to hydrate? Move your body?
Let us resource ourselves so we might not just get through this moment, but rather be able to make it the distance. Mavis insists on it.
