The Willow Group

The Willow Group

Coaching leaders & organizations towards
long-term resilience

Contact
  • Home
    • Guiding Principles
  • Services
    • Leadership Development
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Schedule a Coaching Session
    • Speaking & Professional Facilitation
  • About
    • Credentials
  • Clients
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

What Do You Wake Up Thinking About?

9/26/2018

 
Picture
I held a workshop recently and asked my participants to journal what they (on average) wake up thinking about on any given workday. As one might imagine, these things surfaced:
  • What do my kids need?
  • What is my work schedule today?
  • How many meetings do I have?
  • What conversations do I need to engage?
  • What location do I need to drive?
  • What should I wear?
The questions above are the top of mind things that most are comfortable admitting. I also know that some of the participants were thinking about these things:
  • Will my body cooperate today?
  • Will I be liked?
  • Will I be accepted?
  • Will I be enough?
I also know that others wake up thinking all the things above PLUS they have added stress that many adults will never experience. Things like:
  • Will I be believed?
  • Will I be safe?
  • Will my child be bullied?
  • Will the color of my skin be a barrier for me today?
  • Will I have enough money to buy gas?
  • Will I have enough money to eat?
  • Will I have a bed to sleep in tonight?
Picture
I can argue that what we wake up thinking about is an indication of our status, privilege, or standing in life. To know I have food, clothing, a bed, transportation, and resources makes me profoundly grateful.

Like everyone, there have been times in my life that I woke up with tears because I was grieving a loss, worried about another, or suffering because of conflict. I have certainly had those restless nights where I worry about finances, a child’s well-being, or significant decisions. However, I can say that on average, I do not wake up with major crisis on my mind. Instead, I wake up thinking about the tactical aspects of my day. And yet, as I work, write, interact, research, and live in this world, I am becoming more and more socially aware of what I do not experience.

It is an unspoken privilege to wake up and not immediately think about the color of my skin. Many of my African American friends and colleagues cannot say the same thing. I also did not realize until recently what a gift it is to wake up and not worry if I would be called a liar. Lots of women cannot say the same thing. I pray my daughter will never have to experience this.

Picture
The more aware we are of our gifts, opportunities, and privileges, it allows us to leverage our gratitude with those who need to be believed, supported, defended, cared for, and when possible invited in to share the blessings we wake up to every day.

​What do you wake up thinking about?

    Carrie Arnold, PhD, MCC, BCC

    In no particular order: Author | Dog mom to Moose | Speaker| Reader  Mom to human offspring  Wife | Lover of Learning Leadership coach & consultant, The Willow Group | Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation

    Archives

    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Appreciation
    Book Reviews
    Change
    Coaching
    Complexity
    Current Events
    Decisions
    Education
    Emotion
    Energy Management
    Gratitude
    Humor
    Language
    Leadership
    Pause And Reflection
    Relationship
    Resilience
    Silence
    Teams

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

© 2019 The Willow Group, LLC