The Power of (Doing)Nothing
Why “The Power of Nothing” ? For the back story behind my keynote at the 2020 repeople conference, keep reading:
In October 2019, I stood onstage in Gran Canaria at the Nomad City 2019 conference to deliver a keynote on “Sustainability in Remote Working”, highlighting the many positive and proactive initiatives that were occurring in the established remote work community. It was a wonderful experience, affording me the opportunity to rally our community and build awareness on the many potential environment benefits of remote working.
Sustainable Remote Work: So, whilst preparing for my keynote for my 2020 session (rebranded to repeople conference), I wanted to build on that theme of “Sustainability” but especially from an individual remote workers perspective. I had started working with various Wellbeing and EAP programmes since March of this year (in response to the pandemic) and what was apparent to me from having direct contact with thousands of newbie remote workers was that holistic wellbeing of remote workers needed to be a priority theme this year. In particular, as our worlds were now so much more smaller and potentially restrictive, remote work was for many not “work from anywhere” but only “working from home in an emergency”.
Needing Nothingness: Whilst discussing this concept with a veteran remote worker “buddy”, they expressed that what they needed most at the moment, was the space for “Nothing”. Time to digest recent events, our upside down world, the impacts on us personally - in essence time to process it all! Maybe an opportunity to revisit our remote worker values and why we chose that way of work originally?
Raisons D'etre: In times of crisis, our personal and professional values are often challenged. Why did we choose Remote Work? For its flexibility? Because it suited our lifestyle? I revisited these questions and values myself to help me reset my perspective and to endeavour to the keep right equilibrium in relation to taking the time I had earned and prioritising my own self-care daily.
Reflective Skills: We also discussed that in relation to the wider Remote Work Competencies (1), which run the gambit from time management right through to asynchronous communications skills, that space for “nothing”, supports the more reflective category of skills, such as; patience, observing, listening, contemplating etc. many of which are often undervalued. My growing awareness of the importance of Emotional Intelligence, was also validated and related to this. This was being bolstered by my work with Sandra Thompson on RISE Emotional Intelligence.
Cumulative Screen Time: So the idea for my concept was born, well in fact it was more like germinated! Over the following weeks I researched various related areas through desk research, reading, conversations and more importantly by seeking time myself for “nothingness”. Moreover, I noted like almost everything in Remote Work approach we have to be intentional in making ourselves aware, seeking and scheduling time for nothing. I investigated the opposite to nothing; busy, task orientated (action mode), concentrating, deep work (2), distracted and what became apparent was that where we do the majority of our work as remote workers i.e. on devices and screens, enabled us as remote workers but also had the heaviest toll on our primal need as humans to rest. I discovered that Default Mode Network (3) or resting mode in our brains, was an extensive area of research in neuroscience.
This Disconnection: Our reliance on devices and digital connection has soared this year. From video conferencing to home schooling and with many of our social events having moved online, we need to consciously plan no screen time periods. Being aware of the habit of checking our devices and being constantly connected, educating ourselves on all the consequences to the health of our brains. (4)
Irony: I saw the irony in delivering this message via a screen both now in this blog and as I presented live on the virtual stage of the conference itself on the 6th of November. I recalled how much I missed the personal interactions and human connections afforded by the in-person event in Las Palmas De Gran Canaria. With that in mind, I endeavoured to spend some time also just seeking intentional nothingness, fortunately, I got to spend two weeks in Sende www.sende.co at a co-living in September. After the months of confinement, I found solace, release and clarity in the vistas of the Galician scenery.
Iceberg: The analogy of an iceberg is often used to describe what appears on the surface and is explained by what is beneath. I believe that the surface within the remote work competencies are those easily visible and demonstrable skills (1), like those mentioned in the skills models, but what is not apparent is the effort to learn, time taken and experiences that have formed these demonstrable skills. Moreover, we also need time and the brain space to digest, self-reflect (supporting self-awareness) and process these skills, making them demonstrable and truly transferable. Assimilating and embedding into our personalities (5). In other words, we have ingested them on all levels as individuals and can put them into practice day-to-day.
Closing thoughts: The preparation for this keynote and this train of thought, also supported my ongoing project to build resources to support remote workers in their wellness, approach and sustainability - in particular, in light of the current context and challenges. With that in mind and to coincide with the conference, I am launching a free “Better Break” eBook exercise sample, from my soon to be released eBook on taking more intentional and premeditated breaks during the work day. More here >>
Be a human being not a human doing
Sources: 1. Remote Work Competency Model by Workplaceless 2. Deep Work - Cal Newport 3. Default Mode Network 4. Brain Health Consequences of Digital Technology Use 5. HPTI Personality Traits and What Makes an effective Remote Worker by Roberta Sawatzky/Ian McRae