Show Notes:

Anchoring is a process of connecting with intention to the people, things and experiences that matter to us. Anchoring helps us to feel a sense of stability and security even when things get bumpy. It helps us to feel connected to what feels meaningful and mattering about us and about our lives.

Much like a ship attempting to anchor into varying types of underwater surfaces, we can try to anchor to different aspects of our lives. Being intentional about knowing and choosing those aspects that create the greatest sense of connection to meaning, helps us to get the best results. 

Anchoring into First Response and Front Line Work as an exclusive or highly valued sense of meaning can be risky. While the work can be incredibly meaningful, it is also extremely complex.

Learning to engage in anchoring effectively and intentionally is a layer on creating a strategic action plan.

We need to focus on two key things when anchoring to meaning as it relates to the work:

1.      Anchor into the work WELL. Anchoring into the work can be risky, but can be done well if done with intention. This means taking deliberate time intended to focus on the aspects of the work that feel affirming, connected and meaningful. This time is valuable to help us prevent burnout, but also to have time where we are checking in and assessing how we’re doing – how hard is it to come up with what feels meaningful and mattering? This might help us to notice when we’re headed down a slippery slope and work more effectively to intervene.

Suggested Exercise: End of work day 15-10 minute breathing activity. Take deep breaths, stretch your muscles and shake out tension while thinking about the parts of your day that felt meaningful, connected, affirming, mattering, etc. Do this before heading for home.

2.      Anchor in, outside of work: Work cannot be the exclusive aspect of meaning. Putting all of our eggs into this one basket is dangerous. We need to follow the advising of investment banking and diversify our portfolio. Invest in activities, relationships and interests that develop aspects of meaning outside of your work. Be intentional about seeking out hobbies, continually developing interests, explore areas of curiosity, connect meaningfully in relationships, kickstart a side-hustle, pour into volunteerism, or dive into social justice initiatives. You are more than the work you do – allow other skills sets to shine, and find meaning in flourishing as a whole and multi-faceted person.

Episode Challenge:

·        Think about your own family transitions (holidays, significant life events, and/or daily living). What do these say about what you? What do they say about what you value? Are there ways to reconnect with the meaning in these, or to develop new traditions/routines that would help hone your developing sense of anchoring into meaning?

·        Make a plan to anchor into your work well, and to anchor outside of your work. What would this look like? What traditions would you want to try to implement? What kind of time would you create and what would it include?

·        Try out the end-of-the-work-day-pause that was mentioned in this episode.

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