Let go of 3 myths to unleash your own ripple effect | Kika Buhrmann | TEDxUniversityofGroningen

Key Concepts

• Energy Management: Prioritizing and managing personal energy instead of just time.
• Life Harmony: Embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of life, where work and personal life complement each other.
• Career Climbing Wall: Viewing career progression as a multi-directional exploration rather than a linear ladder.

1. Time Management vs. Energy Management

• The Problem with Time Management: The speaker recounts how she initially focused on time management, trying to pack as many activities as possible into her day, leading to feeling busy but not necessarily energized or productive.
• The Shift to Energy Management: The speaker realized that the quality of time varies, and energy is the key driver. She learned that she often felt tired not because she was doing too much, but because she was doing too little of what truly energized her.
• Actionable Steps:
  • Weekly Reflection: Reflect on three things that energized you and one thing that drained you during the week.
  • Identify Patterns: Identify topics, settings, themes, and even people associated with energy gain and drain.
  • Offset Energy Drainers: For every energy drainer, ensure you have at least two energizers to offset it, spreading them out throughout the week.
• "Energy is your true gold in life." – This quote emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and being mindful of how you spend your energy.
• Multitasking as an Energy Drainer: The speaker identified multitasking as a significant energy drain and actively worked to eliminate it from her routine.

2. Work-Life Balance vs. Life Harmony

• The Work-Life Balance Myth: The speaker argues that the concept of work-life balance is a myth, portraying work and life as opposing forces in a constant tug-of-war. She relates the idea of work-life balance to a seesaw that inevitably leads to imbalance and frustration.
• Personal Experience: In 2017, the speaker experienced a low point with three young children and a global job, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy.
• Life Harmony Defined: Life harmony acknowledges that life is messy, unpredictable, and includes both highs and lows. It is about accepting that things will not always be in sync.
• Embracing the Messy Journey: The speaker encourages letting go of the unrealistic expectation of perfect balance and accepting that dropping a few balls along the way is okay.
• "Work and life are not conflicting. I have one life of which work is fully part." – This statement captures the essence of life harmony, where different aspects of life complement and strengthen each other.

3. Career Ladder vs. Career Climbing Wall

• Limitations of the Career Ladder: The speaker criticizes the traditional career ladder, which implies a single direction and limited opportunities. She points out that positions become scarce at higher levels, and individuals can get stuck if someone is above them.
• The Climbing Wall Metaphor: The speaker proposes a career climbing wall, which allows for exploration in all directions – up, down, left, and right. Each step provides new skills and experiences.
• Versatility and Skill Set: The more versatile your skill set, the more differentiated career recipes you can create, allowing you to define your own path.
• Example: The speaker shared her experience of moving from a commercial role to an IT transformation program, which was initially seen as career suicide by others. However, this move allowed her to develop new skills and ultimately take on a larger role.
• Focus on Skill Development: Emphasizes continuous learning and embracing diverse experiences to become more versatile in your career.

Conclusion

The speaker advocates for a shift in perspective from rigid concepts like time management, work-life balance, and the career ladder, to more flexible and holistic approaches focused on energy management, life harmony, and continuous skill development through a climbing wall career approach. The main takeaways are to manage energy instead of just time, embrace the messy nature of life, and view your career as a multi-directional exploration. This is not about creating the perfect ripple, but about enjoying the imperfect ripples that will bring us further in life.