Last week, I observed an amazing use of power and authority.
(It had nothing to do with the federal government, in case you were wondering if I’ve gone insane.)
Some of you are familiar with my benign brain tumor journey (some backstory here). Things were going really well for about 8 years; then, during my annual MRI last fall, my doctors found a new little lesion on the film. Instead of silly, they were serious. Instead of easy, they were measured.
The final recommendation was check in every 6 months to make sure the spot wasn’t growing and to be calm. “Go have a good life,” my neuro-opthamologist said, kindly. I focused on a good life. It was okay.
Last week I had that 6 month check-in with my neurosurgeon and he thought it looked stable but wanted another doctor to weigh in. I had been trying to see said Other Doctor for 9 months but had not been successful. I told this to Neurosurgeon. You know what he did? He said: give me a minute.
He pulls out his phone and CALLS OTHER DOCTOR on his personal cell. Pleasant and cordial, Neurosurgeon asks Other Doctor if he has time to see a lovely patient who has not had success getting an appointment. Other Doctor says, Okay. Neurosurgeon says: When? Today? Other Doctor says… Uh,sure. Neurosurgeon says: Great. Now? Other Doctor says… Okay, send her over.
Neurosurgeon hangs up and says: that is how you cut through the bullshit.
It was epic. We hurried from Georgetown to Maryland and, by lunchtime, had confirmation that all is well in my head.
I have thought about this so often since receiving such relieving news. When am I in a position to make that phone call? Who is blocked by something that only I have access to? How can I change someone’s trajectory by phoning a friend?
This month, I ask you: what powers do you hold? And how might you leverage them to change someone’s day (life??)? Do it.
I wrote this quick post-it when I found out things were okay. It’s on my desk so I can see it all the time.
Everything is Fine: 11 Habits to Create Stability at Work
A few years ago, when Covid was flaring up again, I noticed a common theme in my clients. They said: why does any of my work matter when all of THIS is going on?
Obviously this was a great question and I could not solve much about the world but what I could do was to create something to accompany people during difficult work days.
Enter: the Everything is Fine e-course.
In this course, you will:
- Build 11 stabilizing habits through creative practices
- Define your own limitations and set boundaries
- Navigate frustrating colleagues
- Communicate powerfully and directly
- Work at your own pace
- Use your creative brain
It seems like a good time to share it again with my community. Pick up some colored pens and take EIF for a spin.
There are plenty of disasters in the world that I’m not qualified to help with: geopolitics, natural disasters, pandemics, wars. But currently there’s also a perfect storm of federal job loss, abandoned DEI efforts and incredibly toxic workplaces that feels like a softball coming across my professional plate. I am actively considering all the ways I can be most helpful in these times.
I hope you are, too.
xo Jen
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