Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

A crucial skill to working and working with others is breathing.

Working and working with others can be frustrating. We can replace “frustrating” with just about any word that expresses a feeling that we don’t like. The result is the same. If those fill-in-the-blank people don’t start doing what I want, I will fill-in-the-blank-with-any-action-that-rational-people-won’t-do.

Here are some cliches of what I need to do in these situations:

• step back
• count to ten
• catch my breathe
• have a moment alone
• center myself
• breathe deeply
• count your blessings

I use the one-word cliche B R E A T H E.

I have seen most people go to their office, gather several persons who are supportive, and commiserate for hours. This works for them, but is quite expensive as it consumes several hours of time for several people. Many people in government hide this waste of resources by calling the commiserating a “meeting.”

Here is the technique I use to breathe. I write a page in my journal. That takes time as writing with pen and paper is a relatively slow physical exercise. That time slows my rate of breathing and heart beating. It also helps me think.

At the end of the journal page I write a list of tasks to do.

There, I have it. I have calmed myself and set a plan of action for the future. Now I just work off each task in order.

This is less painful and more productive than kicking the wall.