This is week 5 of our series based on lessons I’ve learned working in a central role.  This week is about pausing, looking around, and searching for indicators of progress.

Part of the challenge of being in a central role is that there often is not a clear scoreboard.  When I worked in marketing for a brand, we had clear targets we were going after.  We knew we were trying to help X number of patients and achieve Y level of market share.  I don’t have that in this role.  I’m trying to drive us to the future of market research.  It’s hard to know how close or far away I am from an ambiguous target that is always changing.

Recently, I had a few days where I was a bit overwhelmed and irritated.  I was getting swallowed up by various fire drills and other issues.  In the frustration, I thought to myself, “Am I even doing anything?  Am I even getting anywhere?”  After being grumbly for a day or two, I snapped out of it, slowed down, and pulled my head up again.  I still didn’t have a clear scoreboard.  However, I could at least see indicators that I was at least moving things forward.  I still can’t tell you exactly how close or far away we are from the future.  I can see how far we’ve come.  I can see how our momentum is taking us forward, and that’s fuel enough to keep going.

Let’s make some connections.  Our story this week is about being overwhelmed, lost, and pausing to find perspective.  Have you ever felt lost and discouraged in your role?  Even if you’re in a role where there is some kind of scoreboard, I’m willing to bet there are moments where you have been so overwhelmed with things that you’ve felt a little lost.  It’s easy to feel this way.  Everything is going so fast.  Technology is changing so much.  There is so much pressure.

In moments like these, we have to find a way to slow down and pull up.  We have to find a way to slow down, even if we think we should be sprinting.  Once we slow down, we can look around, check out the indicators around us, and see how we are really doing vs the story we are telling ourselves.

The challenge: Will you slow down and look for indicators of progress?

Bonus- Many of you will be part of our annual shutdown.  I hope you totally unplug.  I hope you reconnect with friends, family, and yourself.  I hope you stay safe and get some sun.

Have a jolly good day and a fun/safe 4^th of July,

Andrew Embry