Bringing the Baggage

A few days ago I participated in a presentation preparation meeting.  Some of us had been assigned to represent organizations who, collectively, work to support and advance environmental issues in the area where we all live, work and play.  Together, we worked up an agenda for a meeting next month, where we will attempt to influence legislators (I know, I know…dream on) with our concerns.  Each of us will make a presentation to our captive audience.  Our presentation preparation meeting was designed to get on similar pages and iron out our messages.

The inevitable moment arrived in the meeting.  Who among us should deliver the all important “summary”?  Someone with deep collective knowledge (not me!), long connection to issues (not me!) and a grasp of the necessary technical language (still not me!) had to assume the wrap up role.  Many of us looked at the single most qualified among us.  You know the feeling.  Everyone looks someone’s way when it’s time for a volunteer.  The target of the stares gets that look that says, “uh oh”. 

“I can’t do that part of the presentation, I have too much baggage”, responded the target. 

This person is deeply invested in the issues.  She qualifies as “resident expert”. She passionately expresses bright and thoughtful insights into problems and their potential solutions.  But she often looks harried, frazzled and sort of burned out.  She carries a fair amount of anger about the seeming impossibilities of making serious progress against the threats she sees.  Friedman would say she is on an unending treadmill of trying harder.

The baggage she says she has is, actually, her own anxiety.  It is a suitcase full of fear. It is well nurtured and has taken up permanent residence in her soul.  The loss this anxiety creates is obvious in the meeting’s moment.

Remember your own moments of owning the baggage.  Our energy management model offers a way to disown baggage, leave it behind and travel lighter.

Might be a good Christmas focus and a great New Year resolution.

All best wishes for the holiday season.

Howard

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