Bad Drivers & Creating Our Own Zen
I've recently been spending some time in an area known for bad driving.
Unfortunately, this isn't an assumption, and it has remained true despite my attempts to hold neutral.
For example:
Drivers turning right from the far left lane, across three lanes of traffic moving at 70+ miles per hour
Drivers who are tired of waiting during a backup, who simply “go around” the backup, driving for half of a mile in the wrong lane
The regular occurrence of red lights being treated not only as yellow, but as green
And, of course, we can't forget the guy in the parking lot.
As you might imagine, driving in such circumstances can be nerve wracking.
I have noticed, on several occasions, a feeling of mild dread about the prospect of getting in the car and behind the wheel.
This is not one of the most walkable areas of the US, which means that driving is necessary.
As a result, I've had to figure out a way to create my own zen.
Here's what I've been doing:
Putting on a good playlist whenever I'm in the car
Taking a pause and a deep breath before driving anywhere
Making a conscious effort to be kind on the road –letting people in who are trying to turn or merge, and waving to people who do the same for me
This hasn't changed any traffic patterns, but it has created a bit of calm within my own car.
We might find ourselves in a corporate culture that we don't 100% agree with, or perhaps our organization is undergoing changes —layoffs, restructurings, or physical moves that are creating an unsettled-feeling atmosphere at work.
If this is the case, we might consider ways that we, too, can create our own zen —for ourselves, and for our teams. This could include:
Regularly reviewing our team's priorities, so that everyone knows what is most important and what is expected
Sending a thank you card or an inexpensive but meaningful gift to everyone on our team
Starting our meetings with positive news, things to celebrate, or a story about a great client interaction
Doing our own part to create a calm company (or at least a calm department, division, team, or project)
What do you think?
Are you experiencing any instances of real or metaphorical bad drivers or stressful conditions on the road?
And, if so, what strategies have been working well to create a bit of zen behind the wheel?
Feel free to comment, if you'd like.
Questions to Consider
How can I create my own feelings of calm, within a chaotic context?
What is one thing I can do to to add a tiny bit of zen to my day, or to my routine?
Where can I do a small act of kindness, to create a tiny positive ripple?
