The In-Between
In our work lives,
we talk a lot about the waves we are surfing
while we are surfing.
But I don’t hear a lot about those in-between periods,
where we are sitting in the calm,
looking for the next wave,
watching the others surf.
These ’in-betweens’, are uncomfortable.
Asked "what are you doing?"
when you are experiencing an in-between,
what do you answer?
This awkwardness can get in the way of meaningful conversation.
But these times are extremely powerful.
They can even be intentional. (especially if you have followed David Duccini's advice on your past self buying your future self the gift of this opportunity.)
Nick Hernandez shared with me a his 4 ‘R’ framework which I believe helps one understand and capture the power in the in-between.
I can’t tell you what your particular path will be for each of his stages, but I have found his anchor words a powerful marker for the path.
The 𝟰 𝗥’𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻-𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻:
☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁: Your pattern has been disrupted. A past busy executive said "I used to wake up to all this noise, urgency, and lines of people looking for decisions, rivers of slack channels, emails, busy calendar, calls, now that is gone, what do I do?". Realize this is a time for retreat. Your body might naturally know this, and when/if people reach out to connect, you might unconsciously not want to, or you might feel you must so you can feel that ‘urgency of the past’. Give yourself permission to Retreat and to learn what this means for you. If people want to meet know that you are inviting them into your retreat. Don’t do things (fill your calendar) just to chase that feeling of urgency again.
☑ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: This is your opportunity to reflect, realigning yourself with your values. There are so many tools and ways to do this. This is your opportunity for discovery (not only discovery of self, but ways to find yourself). Note that reflection does not need to be in isolation.
☑ 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹: Renew yourself, informed with your reflection, you can renew the right spirit for your continued journey.
☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻: Return with what you have learned, stronger for your focus, and renewal.
Now when your are in the in-between and are asked ‘what are you doing’ you don’t have to feel awkward, because you are actively surfing the calm of the four R’s, and that is a conversation worth having.
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I haven't written, nor been too active for a while here on LinkedIn, I am practicing the 4-R's ;-) but past musings are archived here: https://lnkd.in/dKg-e5X (I have some updating to do there too)
Original Linkedin Post here: https://bit.ly/3iRO7yN