Mind the Gap - Create Space

“Mind the gap”. If you travel on trains, this term will be very familiar to you. It usually comes in the form of a sign, painted on the platform, or announced over the intercom when you are exiting or entering the train at the stations. It is bringing your attention to a gap between the platform and the train, so you don’t trip or fall. This is one example of where a space between two surfaces is not safe. However, I would like to focus on creating safe spaces that are necessary, and not harmful.

Do you notice that when you drive, and you encounter some congestion, that most people like to go nose to tail and leave no gaps rather than keep a bit of space as a buffer? Or when you are driving on the open road and some people like to sit right on your tail, when there is no chance of passing. At that speed, the margin of error is very high. Or when you want to pass and there is no space between the two vehicles in front of you to pull into. And then there is my own story of rear ending another car that had stopped, while I was distracted looking at something else that I shouldn’t have. Creating space is important.

 When you apply this to your life, what do you think about? Is it your digital intake, your relationships, your work, or your social interactions?  Think about your diary, how much space is there, or does it look like traffic at rush hour. Or if you don’t have a diary, how are you feeling, Tired, restless, frustrated, and overwhelmed?

 “Creating space allows other things in”

 Creating space can do a lot of things but filling it with more things to check off the list shouldn’t be one of them. We think that if we create space we won’t get there as quick, or we won’t get as much done. The reality is, that the more we do and the longer we go, the more fatigued and tired we become. Our margins of error increase and the risk of crashing physically, mentally, and emotionally becomes greater.

To create space, we need to be intentional, I hear this too often, that there is not even enough time to be intentional about creating space for other things.

When we create space in our life, it should inspire the 4 Rs:

·         Rest

·         Relaxation

·         Reflection

·         Refuelling

Becoming intentional about the 4 Rs, means planning them in and require some self-disciplines. https://www.effectiveinfluence.com/blog/intentional/on/track  Like everything, start small and allow yourself to get used to the new life rhythm.

My 5 Learnings:

·         It’s easy for me to think that going faster will get me there quicker and it doesn’t

·         Having no space in my schedule puts me and others at risk

·         I need to be intentional about creating space in my week for the 4 Rs

·         Start with small daily disciplines, so I can have time to transition slowly

·         Always be aware of my surroundings and recognise when space is necessary

As you become more comfortable with having space in your life, take time to assess and measure the benefits, not only to yourself but those close to you.

My 3 Questions for you:

·       How much space have you got in your diary?

·       What do you feel like at the end of the day? Energised or fatigued?

·       What small discipline could you start, to create space?

“The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy, they come when the mind is still.” — Leon Brown

If you need help in creating space, or if you have questions, please talk to me. I would be happy to help and chat with you.

Remember daily to, “Find value in your influence”

Written By: Paul Fawcett.