Cultivate Growth - Feeling the Crunch?

Newsletter

September 2022

Amanda Thibert

Welcome to my Cultivate Growth newsletter where I hope to stimulate thought, offer experiments and add value to your journey! Amanda

Connect With Me on Instagram @amandathibertcoaching

Crunch Times & Finishing Strong

We all experience crunch times -- work deadlines, papers due, navigating traffic to be somewhere... there is often that moment when time is compressing and there's more to be done. Life pushes and pulls at us from all angles.

Result? We experience Stress.

Stress is anything that alters homeostasis. It's vital for a healthy life and we need it to adapt. If we want to get stronger, we need to lift heavier weights. If we want to master something, we need to stretch our knowledge and competencies. Stress can bring excitement, motivation and joy. The problem occurs when we can't adapt -- maybe the stressor is too big or it's too much for too long and we can't return to homeostasis.

Why sometimes, as we get closer to a "finish line" do we slow down and not cross it? We get tired. We may lose our sense of purpose or our patience or both.

To finish strong, we need the right attitude. We need to believe we can accomplish the goal.

We also need practical strategies and the ability to flex. That's the idea of having a roadmap, realizing if you're off track, course correcting or in some cases, taking a new path.

Understand the Time, Quality, Quantity Triangle

Three points: Time, Quality, Quantity. The reality is you can have any 2. You can have Quality & Quantity, but it's going to require Time. Quality & Speed means less Quantity. Quantity & Speed means Quality will be affected. Understanding this concept and how it impacts your tasks helps you to prioritize, execute and communicate more effectively.

When we're in a crunch period, leadership matters. How we lead ourselves and how we lead others can make all the difference in managing the stress and getting the results we want.

Lead Yourself

Your Mindset- Know Your WHY

What does Finish Strong mean to me in this situation?
How is my thinking affecting my feelings and actions?
Do I need to change my expectations?
What are the consequences of not finishing strong?
What do I need to do this?
What helps? What doesn't?
Who can support me?

Fuel Up

All 3 help build capacity & foster resilience. If you have these aspects taken care of, you will be less likely to turn to food & substances as your "go to" stress reducers. Remember, routines help diminish energy spent on excess decision making.

Sleep - Without enough, Everything seems harder
Move - Movement regulates our nervous system (So does Nature)
Connect - With yourself (Alone time) & with others. It's what makes us human and without it we experience suffering.

Decide & Commit

Prioritize the top 1-3 things that must get done
Tap into your strengths. Now is not the time to focus on weaknesses or limitations.
Take the smallest, simplest step
Practice finishing strong along the way. Get in the habit of stacking each finish. This allows you to acknowledge completion, see progress & make adjustments, which in turn helps fuel motivation to continue.

Collaborate & Delegate

Aim to work smarter. In crunch times we can feel alone, and that all responsibility & accountability is on us. We fall into the habit of putting our heads down and working harder. Even if you work for yourself there is often opportunity to collaborate or delegate.

Ask specifically for what you need
Chunk down volume into manageable pieces
Automate & eliminate where you can

Schedule Recovery

Easier said than done yet oh so crucial. Our minds come up with lots of I can't(s).

Pick something that is meaningful to you
Give yourself permission - Say it aloud, write yourself a note
Put it on the calendar First, Not after everything (& everyone) else

Speak Kindly & Check Your Breathing

Most of us resist (maybe silently) harsh words. They almost never lead to better performance.

Set the tone for yourself & others

Practice breathing

Inhale count of 4, exhale count of 4 to settle yourself
Inhale and give an audible exhale with or without fluttering your lips to expel tension

Leading Others

In this HBR article, Managing Through Crunch Time, the most admired leaders "balanced risks to the mission and to the people."

"First, they built loyalty and trust before and after crunch periods, meaning they have an account balance of trust that they can withdraw from during crunch. Our research respondents consistently reported that leaders who made a strong initial investment in people were able to manage risk more effectively when it became necessary. Leaders who take care of people create a high level of commitment, loyalty, and ownership, which in turn makes accomplishing the mission more of a priority for everybody.

As one officer observed, “You see the bumper sticker on a lot of walls in the Army: Mission first, people always. The better leaders, it’s people first, and they’ll take care of the mission.”

"Second, these leaders conducted activities to maintain morale and confidence during crunch. They ensured that lines of communication were open so that team members could signal problems. They clearly connected particularly challenging mission requirements with mission success. They set clear goals, and they help subordinates understand the bigger picture when a mission involves a significant potential sacrifice, creating shared understanding. And they showed a willingness to put the team before their personal interest, demonstrating that they shared the burden with the team and that they understood the implications of their decisions."

Lead Yourself First

Check your own energy

Take Care of Your People

Crunch time creates its own sense of urgency. Very few people need reminding of that. Keep in mind, fear is a motivator that won't build trust in the long run.

Be Honest