"To escape from prison, what's the first thing you need to know?"

While wondering why I have asked this question, you might come up with questions about the prison layout, guard shifts, or inmate schedules. And, while these answers are not wrong, they miss a crucial point.

The most insightful answer to the question is, "That I am in prison."

What prisons might you be in?

It is common to have a desire to escape from an exhausting job, a difficult boss, or a routine or overly challenging relationship. It’s a desire worth examining.

"The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds."
— John Maynard Keynes, 1935

Most organisational structures and systems have remained essentially unchanged for over a century. Immersed in these organisations, it’s easy to overlook the limitations they impose—that is, until the yearning to escape becomes strong. Then, when we can’t run away, escape can take the form of putting in the minimum amount of effort to keep our job, but not going the extra mile, being distracted by personal or side projects, daydreaming, office gossip, excessive use of social media and the internet. Overcommitment, overwhelm, and burnout loom.

Personal Reflections

There’s an upside to thoughts of escape when you think of it as an internal alarm system. In the same way that getting a headache prompts me to consider my level of hydration, stress, or the quality of my sleep, wanting to "escape" serves as an alarm alerting me to deeper issues that require my attention.

Gardening in a Forest of Ancient Trees

When I feel like avoiding, distracting myself or running away, I’ve found the idea of ‘gardening in a forest of old trees’ helpful. The very old trees represent my deeply held beliefs and ways of doing things. These old trees stand tall, they have deep roots. However, they block out new ideas, making it hard to see the big picture and for new ideas to take hold. To get through this tough terrain, I look for a balance between holding on to the wisdom of the old trees that has stood the test of time and being brave enough to make room for new ideas by carefully cutting back on old trees (ideas) that aren't useful to me anymore. Think of it as conservation and innovation working together.

Next Steps

Personal reflection is essential to growth. Having a coach on board makes it so much easier. It’s a health check, a time for supported growth and best not left until everything comes crashing down and the prison bars hold you tightly.

Book a complementary exploratory session with Dr Desley Lodwick using this link: https://calendly.com/desleylodwick/30-minute-exploratory-conversation