How to play the waiting game...

If you’ve talked to me for more than 15 minutes recently, you know that this school year we applied for both middle and high school for my daughters in New York City. And yes, for those of you following along outside of the anomaly that is NYC, in this city, you apply for public school.

Beyond the bureaucracy and delays and more delays, the process involved an uncomfortable amount of WAITING.

When I wrote this it was June 6th and I still didn’t know where my 14 year old would go to high school next year. We started navigating this process in May of 2021.

That’s one long ass time.

Thankfully, now the wait is over (and there was good news) but I had to get creative with managing through the discomfort. It made me feel a kinship with my clients who are living through the tortuous waiting inherent to the job search.

For those of us who lean towards doing and more doing until we get the result we want – this can be a tricky time.

So, I’m NOT going to say – use this as a time to learn. I would slap me if I said this to myself during that painful time.

Instead, when I'm in that waiting mode and I KNOW I'm going to keep "doing" (because that's who I am)...I’m going to focus that "doing" on taking care of me.

I have compassion for myself since I’m not working at my typical pace.

I give myself extra time for walks in the park.

I curse more.

I connect with people who energize me.

I say no, a lot.

I listen to more music than podcasts. I need vibes, not content.

What are the ways that you can take action to take care of yourself through the waiting?

It’s different for everyone and I like to make a plan with my clients for how they’re going to keep their energy and their spirits up while there is so much that’s out of their control.

Comment with your Waiting Plan so I know you’re taking care of yourself during shitty limbo (and maybe you’ll give me a few ideas for my next round of waiting).