What is Still Unwritten?

While there is a lot of talk about The Great Resignation, this is simply a symptom of the fact that our systems are breaking apart. There was a report today about how some who have resigned are regretting this decision but it totally missed the mark of what is unwritten when it comes to life and work.

When we continue to see everything through the same lens, we never truly get to the root cause of what is taking place, And so many experts are busy bringing the next trendy answer when all that is being done is creating more noise. No guidebook on hybrid work for teams, for example, will address the huge opportunity we are facing.

And it’s personal. This is not a time for cookie cutters and following the crowd because no one really knows much of anything these days. This is a time when we become responsible for the steps we take and be aware that where it takes us may not be the destination. And no one else can take this journey for us. As singer Natasha Bedingfield reminds us in her song Unwritten:

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips

Unwritten Future

The current reality of “work” is to attend meetings, review lists, add or delete items, meet some more, send emails, respond to emails, write announcements, read announcements, review results, give and receive feedback, take our feet into all-hands meetings, meet some more, and so the story goes.

And some days we are so busy meeting, in whatever format, that we get swept into the routine of it all. We may call it progress or innovation but is it truly happening on a virtual call or in the conference room?

I was recently on a call where Sarah shared a document and was just checking stuff off a list, and adding some items. I started talking about something completely different to see if she was actually present. While she stopped typing, she wasn’t really listening as she was already late to her next meeting and felt stressed. And my non-linear contributions did not fit on her document; they required extra effort and thought.

And this is what is happening right now. The rule breakers, the creators, the pioneers and dreamers are watching all of this unfold in silence. If it doesn’t fit in the process, there is no time to color outside the lines of conformity. And what we are witnessing right now is an increase in people that organizations really need questioning the work, making mental health choices and leaving the insanity of it all.

A Time for Unwritten Transition

Isn’t it time to stop being seduced and trapped by The Great Resignation and talking about the structure of work from in-person to hybrid and virtual, and start talking about what work actually means? What do we each need? What do we want to create?

Putting more lipstick on a bulldog simply irritates the dog. And what we are doing right now is simply reinforcing how things are done with a different hairstyle. Don’t we each want to bring our best selves to work and have a meaningful impact and imprint?

Imagine if we had more opportunity to have conversations and listen to each other. We don’t need more meetings for the sake of meetings. What many souls on this planet would love it to be seen and listened. How can we change our own story first?

What if we turned the problem–people questioning and making healthy choices-and started focusing on our greatest opportunity right now? What would your world look like?

For me, I am practicing forgiveness, letting go and moving on. No more hiding in dark corners. This is a time when we can shine a light and lift each other up as we build the bridges to a healthier existence.

Not everyone is ready and will come with us and that’s okay. This is why 2022 is the year of healthy choices and discernment.

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

—Natasha Bedingfi