Making space for what matters.

For the things that matter to you.
The things you care about.
The things you want to give your time and attention to.

But how often do we actually manage that during a busy working week?

When calendars fill up, deadlines pile up, and the demands of the day take over, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters to us.

That is precisely when it can help to look at things differently.

At what is here.
At what is possible.
And at the question: What do I want to make important in my work?

And then: take action.

Not waiting for the workload to ease or for circumstances to become ideal, but taking one small step today in the direction of what matters to you.

This week, Tim Batink surprised me with a box of ACT @ Work tetrahedrons. Such a thoughtful gift — and a wonderful reminder of what ACT can bring to the workplace.

The occasion was the release of the Doen wat ertoe doet e-learning as an e-health module on ACT for You, available to participants of ACT in Actie.

For me, these tetrahedrons capture beautifully what ACT at work can be about:

Making space for thoughts, feelings, and discomfort.
Choosing direction based on what matters to you in your work.
Taking action by turning those values into concrete steps.

Even when work is demanding.
Even when things feel uncomfortable.
Even when not everything is within our control.

Make space. Choose direction. Do what matters.

My book Doing What Matters is available through (online) bookstores and Brave New Books. There is also a practical e-learning program on building resilience at work with ACT.

I hope the book and e-learning can contribute to greater openness, resilience, and meaning at work. Not by trying to eliminate pressure or discomfort, but by helping people respond to them more flexibly — and make choices that reflect what genuinely matters to them.

Do you know a colleague, manager, HR professional, coach, or team who might find this valuable? Feel free to share this post — including with your international network.

Because sometimes, change at work begins with one small, concrete step.

Today. In the direction of what matters.

#ACT #ACTatWork #PsychologicalFlexibility #ResilienceAtWork #MeaningfulWork #Leadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #SustainableEmployability #PersonalGrowth #FutureOfWork

Photo credit: AvO