What hinders your ability to build bandwidth?
This year has been a year that has really challenged our capacity to maintain energy, optimism and positive vibe.
Most people I speak with share that they have found it tough to maintain good bandwidth and wellbeing, which are critical for helping us function optimally.
To honour this, I want to provide you with a few extra bonuses for you and/or for your team’s wellbeing.
I have several programs coming up in the next month that dive deeply into how to build and maintain our bandwidth.
As an end of year gift, we are keeping the early bird rate available till registrations close one week ahead of each program.
1 Professional and Workplace Resilience is on Monday 25th November.
A great program that helps identify many of the challenges we face in our work, the role of the workplace in addressing these and many strategies and tips for building our own resilience and that of our teams.
Participant feedback: Highly recommended. Worthwhile in every area of your life to be professionally and personally resilient. It was amazing, everyone loved attending.
2 Self-Leadership for Women in Healthcare in on Monday 2 December
This highly engaging program helps us lead ourselves the way we want to be led by others, aligning our own leadership values with our approach to self-leadership.
I have built a powerful framework for self-leadership that is immediately useful, with many practical tips and strategies for leading yourself in empowering ways.
Participant feedback: Thank you, Michelle. I have learnt so much from the self-leadership program. Thank you so much for your wisdom!
What is our bandwidth?
Bandwidth represents our cognitive and psychological capacity to function optimally, to navigate our professional and personal demands. It reflects our ability to stay calm, centred and present, absorbing each day's challenges with grace and equanimity.
One of the most important places to invest time and energy is in building bandwidth.
Stephen R. Covey said "I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions." One of the most critical decisions we have each day may well be as to how we use our energy and attention to build our bandwidth.
Our bandwidth is like the foundation of a house, you can’t see it directly, but if it is not solid, the house is shaky and unsustainable.
Tending to my bandwidth, became quite critical for me when I was juggling small children, a very unwell partner and many other life stressors. I wanted to fix everything and make it all OK for my family, but I burnt myself out and had nothing left to give.
My foundation became vulnerable as the demands on me escalated and I was feeling perpetually drained. It was a wake-up call. I realised that, like stretching a rubber band too far, I was at risk of snapping. I needed to rebuild my bandwidth, not just for my sake but for those who were relying on me.
Barriers to Building Bandwidth
Building one's bandwidth is often met with several obstacles that can seem daunting. One significant barrier is the tendency to overcommit. In a world that values busyness, it's tempting to say yes to every request or opportunity that comes our way. This can lead to a schedule so packed that it leaves little room for recovery, reflection, or the spontaneous moments that bring joy and relaxation. The constant pressure to perform and deliver can quickly deplete our reserves, leaving us feeling stretched thin and overwhelmed.
Perfectionism as a barrier to bandwidth is both subtle and pervasive. Striving for perfection in every task and endeavour can seem like a commendable pursuit, but it often sets us up for a cycle of never-ending stress and dissatisfaction.
Perfectionism not only slows us down, as we linger over details beyond the point of diminishing returns, but it also fosters a fear of failure and vulnerability. This fear can inhibit our willingness to take risks or try new approaches, ultimately stifling creativity and innovation. By constantly setting the bar impossibly high, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from mistakes, to grow from feedback, and to find value in the process over the product.
Over-functioning occurs when we take on more responsibilities than necessary, often stepping in to solve problems for others or managing tasks that could be delegated. This tendency can stem from a desire to be helpful, a fear of letting go, or a belief that things won't be done correctly (or at all) unless we do them ourselves.
Over-functioning can lead to burnout, as we stretch ourselves too thin across multiple fronts, leaving us with little energy or time for our own needs and aspirations. It also robs others of the chance to learn, grow, and be accountable for their actions.
Recognising and addressing our tendency to over-function involves setting healthy boundaries, trusting others to handle their responsibilities, and focusing on our own tasks and growth. By doing so, we can conserve our bandwidth for the activities and engagements that truly matter, fostering a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Another common hurdle is neglecting self-care. In the hustle of meeting deadlines and managing responsibilities, it's all too easy to put our own needs on the back burner. This might manifest as skimping on sleep, opting for convenience food over nutritious meals, or skipping exercise. However, neglecting these fundamental aspects of self-care undermines our resilience and capacity to handle stress, making it harder to maintain our bandwidth in the face of daily demands.
Resistance to change poses a significant challenge in building bandwidth. We often cling to familiar patterns and routines, even when they no longer serve our best interests. This resistance can be rooted in fear, comfort, or simply the inertia of habit. However, embracing change is essential for growth and adaptation. It requires acknowledging that our current methods may not be sustainable and being willing to explore new strategies for managing our time, energy, and resources.
Lastly, the lack of clear boundaries is a critical barrier to maintaining bandwidth. Without distinct limits between work and personal life and boundaries within each of these, we risk allowing our roles and responsibilities to merge into a relentless stream of demands. This constant connectivity can erode our ability to be fully present in any aspect of our lives, diminishing our effectiveness and satisfaction. Setting and enforcing boundaries is crucial to preserving our mental and emotional bandwidth, enabling us to engage fully and authentically in each moment.
In conclusion, cultivating bandwidth is not just about managing the demands of today; it's about preparing for the uncertainties of tomorrow. It requires intention, commitment, and a willingness to invest in oneself. As we expand our capacity to be present and effective in our personal and professional lives, we not only navigate challenges with grace but also unlock the potential for genuine fulfilment and impact.
As a reminder, I have several programs coming up in the next month that dive deeply into how to build our bandwidth. As an end of year gift, we are keeping the early bird rate available till registrations close one week ahead of each program.
1 Professional and Workplace Resilience is on Monday 25th November
2 Self-Leadership for Women in Healthcare in on Monday 2 December