Hi

I've been shaping my definition of my own Day Crafting objectives. You, no doubt, have your own, but you're welcome to share mine – which currently reads like this: 

To be time and energy rich, so that you can give your full attention, through connection, so that what matters knows it does.

We know that connection is hugely important to wellbeing (yours and theirs) and the first big task is to orient ourselves so that we have the resources to make that connection high quality. I've thought more recently that it's helpful to clarify the objectives of that connection – hence the last bit about mattering.

It is one thing to feel lonely, disconnected or undervalued in work or community but what resonates with me is the sense of mattering. This is less about the volume of connections and more about the significance of them.

Do you matter, somewhere, today? This week? Do you matter enough? Are you signalling to others their significance to you or your organisation or team, how they matter?

When we feel like we don’t matter, our energy fades and our will to actively engage in life wanes. The consequences of feeling insignificant at work are profound, manifesting as chronic disengagement, absenteeism, loneliness, low self-esteem, and even depression. These are all driven, in part, by the unrelenting conviction that we don’t, can’t, and never will matter.

The quote comes from Zach Mercurio's book, The Power of Mattering (which focuses on leaders improving organisational culture around the topic – but is transferable to other contexts). To improve our skills in demonstrating to others that they matter, he describes three practices:

Noticing is the practice of seeing and hearing others. Affirming is the practice of showing people how their unique gifts make a unique difference. Needing is the practice of showing people how they’re relied on and indispensable. (My emphasis). 

Here's a Day’s Intention suggestion:

Choose someone and put a message together: Notice something about them or what they've said or done, Affirm the difference it makes and say why they’re Needed. Then say it to them or send it.

Yours,

Bruce

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