Attentiveness & self-management or how to handle complexity

The art of retaining one’s equilibrium also during stormy times

In no other time have people had as much knowledge and (technical) abilities to live a long and fulfilled life. And, globally, there is an unrestrained pursuit to attain even more – more speed, more cutting-edge technology, more knowledge, more interconnectedness, more prosperity, etc.

What’s on the outside doesn’t correlate with what is within

“In the past a century was needed to double people’s knowledge; today it is five years … Instead of developing ourselves, we are adapting ourselves to technical systems ... yet the genetic blueprint of people has hardly changed, which is why this development - created by ourselves - is frightening us. What is one the outside doesn’t correlate with that is within.”

Strengthening self-management competence

To lead a more aware, happy and self-determined life, we need to grapple with life’s questions and scrutinise our own behavioural pattern

  • On the foundation of which values do I take decisions?
  • Of paramount importance, what are the most important values?
  • Am I living in accordance with my moral concepts or do I cherish the hope that, at some point in time, everything will change for the better?
  • Which aims do I have in life, which vision in life – what are my drivers in life?
  • What gives me a “secure footing” in life – whom or what can I build on and rely on?
  • What are my needs? Am I also able to say “no” from time to time?
  • Do I consider the glass to be half full or half empty?
  • What causes me stress and how stressed do I feel?
  • Do I grant myself some “time out” and time for myself to recharge my batteries or am I working around the clock?
  • Am I able to switch off the computer or the smartphone or leave it at home and simply enjoy my leisure time?
  • From which sources do I draw my energy, we fills me with joy? What do I need to recharge my batteries?
  • What are my strengths? What am I really good at?
  • How many “different hats” do I wear? How many roles and tasks do I take on? (father / mother, daughter / son, sister / brother, executive, team leader, chairperson in a club, friend, wife / husband, employee, etc.) Which of these roles do I enjoy doing, which provide me with fulfilment? Which roles do I rather consider a burden?
  • ...

Attentiveness – everything we have is this moment

How often do we miss what is essential within and surrounding ourselves, in that our thoughts almost exclusively focus on what was and what will be, thus meaning that our thoughts are stuck in the past or are pre-empting the future, instead of living in the here and now and enjoying the moment.

Attentiveness means
By means of attentive and appreciative dealings with one’s own feelings, needs and fears, and the awareness as to what we are focussing our attention on – both with ourselves and with others – a greater degree of satisfaction is created, because the sting is removed from the stress and, as a result, burn-out can be prevented.

The questions is what we focus our attentiveness and energy on

  • Physical attentiveness: nutrition, physical well-being, sport, pain, etc.
  • Emotional attentiveness: feelings, moods, emotional reactions, etc.
  • Intellectual attentiveness: Logic, rules, roles and tasks (e.g. career, everyday life, partnership, parenting, etc.)
  • The “I” construct: self-concept, life script, reference framework, etc.
  • Environment and relationships
  • Problem or solution
  • ...

Tunnel vision robs our freedom. Our perception is focussed on everything that matches our assumptions; as a general rule, we consistently filter out everything else. What we see is merely a minute excerpt that we then call reality, instead of calling it “my reality” (Ilona Bürgel 2015).
Attentiveness implies more acceptance regarding oneself and one’s fellow human beings (I am ok/you are ok), instead of a negative assessment and attribution, which frequently only consists of assumptions and speculations. By using impartiality, curiosity and open-mindedness, it is possible to make people realise the presence of patterns, which in turn can lead to development and change.

My offer for you

  • As a component in coaching, dealing with themes regarding self-management; the strengthening of this by means of reflection; the development of individual strategies for dealing with stress and the embedding of these by means of attentiveness exercises
  • As a workshop in the form of a one to two-day event on the topic of self-management and attentiveness (within the company), which is developed in accordance with the focal points of the respective organisation’s health management programme. Should this be required, I offer this programme together with partners in my network who are focussed on the topic of resilience.
  • In cooperation with 'Führung- und Organisationsentwickler, Fulda', I offer a 5-day programme “ICH Hoch Drei” (I, cubed). Details can be found in the programme on the website of 'Führung- und Organisationsentwickler, Fulda' - www.führungs-organisations-entwicklung.de
  • The Michelangelo principle: workshop stone carving and retreats, finding one’s way to one’s self and for oneself in the French Vosges mountains, in cooperation with Wolfgang Völker, Bensheim (freelance artist) - www.atelier-voelker.de
  • Workshop "ICH Hoch drei" (I, cubed): July 11, 2016 - July 16, 2016.