What if, to make a difference in the world, you prioritized your aspirations?
My friends and colleagues can attest to this: I’m a demanding person. I often have a hard time setting priorities because I want to do EVERYTHING at once—and in the BEST possible way (that is, “perfectly”…). I often say that the priorities are A, B… and C and D because, let’s face it, everything is connected, urgent, and important. While this approach allows me to make progress and build bridges between different areas, it’s also—it must be said—very exhausting.
Have you ever felt like you're trying to juggle too many things at once?
If that's the case, rest assured—you're not alone. And I promise, it is possible to make a difference in the world while maintaining your inner balance.
If you don't have those kinds of worries, you're so lucky! But keep reading to help your loved ones who are having trouble setting priorities ;).
MY JOURNEY AS A CASE STUDY
When I began my training to become a professional coach, I was juggling two roles at my company. Like everyone else, I was about to discover the consequences—both personal and professional—of a global pandemic. I was full of doubts, excited, and ready to juggle the expectations of different worlds, even if it meant getting up at 5:30 a.m.
In 2020, I faced more challenges than were necessary for a little person like me.
As a manager, I had to handle the unexpected departure of employees while reassuring and motivating a dispersed, multicultural team. We had to put the concept of agility into practice in order to adjust, maintain, and enhance our projects. The stakes were high. We needed to turn this uncertain period into an opportunity to advance our sustainability initiatives and fulfill our purpose. Together, we tried to juggle multiple priorities. For example, we launched a podcast for stakeholders in the ecological transition; organized meetings with external stakeholders to “challenge” our leadership on the risks and priorities for action during this period; and supported our operational teams on key projects such as the rollout of responsible collection centers with and for the informal sector.
As I learned and tested neuroscience-based coaching techniques, I alternated between a state of “flow” and a serious case of imposter syndrome. That feeling of being an amateur was all the more frightening as I was building my blog (you can probably imagine the challenge if I tell you that I still type with just a few fingers on my computer…).
Like many expats, I’ve had that strange experience of being locked out of my own home. In Japan, you had to choose: either stay or leave. There was no middle ground. That said, I have to admit that my situation was much more bearable than that of some friends living in stricter countries.
Beyond these experiences, my real challenge was the internal struggle I was facing. I was torn between my gratitude for the trust and support of my network (or what I tended to perceive as optimistic naivety), a sense of pride in my team’s dedication and my small strides as a coach, a feeling of anxiety and exhaustion stemming from the state of our world, and finally, a deep sense of guilt for “not doing enough.” Not enough for whom? Well, for the world. Not enough compared to the workers at my company who were out in the field treating our wastewater or removing our trash from the streets. Not enough compared to the doctors, nurses, and humanitarian workers who were saving lives.
All of this is to say that I was struggling with thoughts like “I have to do everything” and “I shouldn’t complain.” Until one day, I discovered a tool: “The Balance Wheel.” Mind you, it’s not a magic wand—well, maybe it is… This exercise is very powerful for mapping out your priorities while ensuring harmony with the rest of your life.
Thanks to this tool, I’ve gained clarity and confidence about what truly matters to me and my purpose. I’ve been able to identify how to leverage the synergies between various goals. I’ve realized that the less centered or aligned I am, the more tired and overwhelmed I feel—and the less helpful I am to others. So now, whenever I feel scattered, I use this tool to focus my attention on my deepest aspirations. I can then draw on my values, my talents, and my wonderful allies to create a virtuous cycle of positive actions. This allows me to move forward—more smoothly—through the flow of external circumstances.
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Take Action to Bring About Change
A simple tool
First of all, ask yourself what are the important factors that allow you to live a harmonious life.
Draw a wheel and divide it into 8 categories.
Add your ideas in any order you like.
Without overthinking it, rate your level of satisfaction with each issue (the red outer line represents a satisfaction level of 10 out of 10).
A simple illustration of the key issues at stake in 2020
Step back and take a look at your wheel. What stands out to you?
If you could improve one thing that would increase your overall satisfaction, what would you focus on?
What specific action—within your control and in line with the rest of your priorities—could you take?
Let's say you've made progress on this issue—what's the next priority?
A Mantra
"Everyonethinks happiness lies at the top of the mountain, when in fact it lies in the journey up the mountain."
Now it's your turn…
Today, what do you want to prioritize in order to (re)find inner peace while still being helpful?
Do you want to become the leader you envision for the world you hope to see? Is it time to discover and assert your leadership? Do you want to embed the concepts of positive impact and purpose at the heart of your organization? Is the challenge to accelerate engagement within your ecosystem to drive systemic change?
If your answer is yes and you’d like some guidance along the way, please contact me! Here’s a link to schedule a exploratory session and the form to further explore your goals and challenges.
