it , but not everyone wants to . Sometimes , it is a matter of willpower that keeps you afloat . This concept is applicable to any part of your life , whether it be the personal or professional aspect .
REFLECT AND DETECT
The concept of mindfulness tells us to be present , in the moment , and aware of ourselves and our surroundings . When the going gets tough , things begin to feel chaotic , like you have lost control of your life . It may feel difficult to ground yourself , or the thought of grounding yourself does not even come up until it ’ s too late . Mindfulness helps with this .
At the end of a busy week , one of the best things you can do is wind down and ground yourself . How you wind down is up to you , but most professionals recommend meditating , taking a walk , or journalling . Though it sounds like cliche life advice , there are ways for you to customise grounding exercises to make them work for you . Examples would be engaging in a hobby like painting or taking a jog around the block .
While you ground yourself , take a minute to be one with your thoughts — this includes everything that made you happy , sad , or frustrated in the last week . Acknowledge your thoughts and how they make you feel . Awareness is half the battle , but there ’ s no need to rush it . You can take your time to refresh yourself on what happened in the past week and figure things out when you can . It is absolutely okay to take on things one at a time — yes , even your to-do list .
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself during your weekly check-ins :
• What am I feeling now as I reflect on my past week ? Which events or feelings can I acknowledge now that I am taking my time ?
• What am I grateful for this week ? What tasks were I proud of accomplishing ?
• Where did I struggle this week ? How do I feel knowing the outcome of this challenge ?
• How can I improve my response or reaction to certain events or situations ?
• How can I challenge my fears and anxieties in a helpful and constructive way ?
• What can I do to channel and express my emotions this week ?
• What lessons did I learn this week ? How can I apply them to future circumstances ?
BRINGING IT TO WORK
Grounding and mindfulness take practice and getting used to . But the more you repeat it , the more you can ease yourself into the present . So far , we ’ ve suggested techniques you can use on your own personal time . But what about work ?
While it would not be advisable to light incense and assume a yoga position in the middle of your office , there are other ways for you to practice mindfulness at work . Instead of a weekly checkup , you can take the time in the morning to sort out your day . This is a good way to organise urgent tasks and things that you can attend to later . A helpful tool for this is the Eisenhower Matrix .
For example , if you are choosing between a townhall meeting with your fleet drivers or an inspection of your newly purchased vehicles , try to weigh which one is more urgent and focus your mind on that task .
In time where personal problems become too much to bear , it will always benefit you to take a step back and rest . Doing so will prevent burnout and additional emotional stress , which can ultimately take a toll on your physical health . If you ’ ve already taken your break and are gearing up to head back to work , take things one at a time . There is no rush to be in tip-top shape — again , this will only add stress to your mind and body .
THE LESSONS YOU LEARN
As a fleet manager , you are not just in charge of a fleet of vehicles , but a group of people too . Though we face difficult events in our personal lives , they are not the end of the road but a normal part of life and a learning opportunity . There is a lesson to be gleaned from almost all experiences that can be applicable even in your professional life .
Simple things like mediating a squabble with your kids can teach you how to be firm and gentle when managing disputes in your team . Confronting your health can teach you about preventive maintenance within your fleet and teach you about the limits of the human body and how this affects your long-haul drivers .
There are multiple events happening at once . While some things in life are out of our control , it is ultimately up to you on how to deal with it . Will you let life throw lemons at you ? Or will you take the plunge and make lemonade ?
ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 7