The more time I spend in studying personal wellbeing, the
more I understand that, for many, career success is influenced by an individual’s
wellbeing. I want to qualify that since there are examples of those who are successful
in one area of life while challenged in another (think career and personal
relationships). There have been times in my own life when my career was going
quite well while my personal life was, well, a mess. Creating a life that is
balanced and successful in every dimension will increase the opportunities for
success. There is a saying, the way we do one thing is the way we do everything.
While a huge generalization, there are elements of truth in that statement.
While we may be successful in career and be challenged in personal
relationships, those challenges bleed into our work relationships and will, in
the long run, show up and hold our careers back. Fundamentally, creating
balance, increasing our personal wellbeing, and focusing inward will increase
the likelihood for personal success in all domains.
What are these dimensions, areas, or domains? Well, the list
could be quite extensive. In my research I discovered anywhere from 3 to 8
different areas. As I was considering my own personal search, my focus was
largely on the physical aspects of wellbeing. As I continued to read, study,
and be curious, I discovered that the dimensions (3 or 8) are intertwined and cannot
be untangled. What I found is that focusing on one dimension without focusing
on another slowed my personal progress in all areas. What that means is,
focusing on work at the expense of our social wellbeing will, over time, cause
issues for our work life. While there is some intuitive alignment to that
logic, when it comes to making choices in the moment, if we haven’t taken the
time to step back and determine our personal needs and desires for our lives
and each dimension of our life, our choices may or may not align to what will
be best for our personal wellbeing. Does that mean we have to plan out our
lives and live an inflexible plan? Of course not. What it means is that our
choices, whatever they are, are best made with awareness of what is important
to us and those we surround ourselves with. Creating our personal wellbeing
allows us to be aware, to show up, to be present, and to fully experience life.
It doesn’t guarantee our decisions and choices will be exceptional, it means we
are not making choices blindly.
You may be wondering what this has to do with project
management. Leading by example is the best way possible to lead. If you are
stepping into every day filled with possibility, so will your team. Your team
is a direct reflection of who you are showing up as. If you show up slow, dull,
unable to find the possibilities in situations, so will your team. If you show
up like it matters, every day giving your best to every situation, so will your
team. Your personal wellbeing is the biggest influence you will have on your
team. Being unwell doesn’t support your project, not taking care of yourself personally
will not support your team, and it is impossible to hide your way of being, by
that I mean your fundamental attitude, from your colleagues. It matters how you
show up.
