HALT
There wasn't the right combination of food (no bread, no milk), to make breakfast on Wednesday morning. I'd struggled to get out of bed and had been really tired on the Tuesday night falling asleep on the sofa. Wisest decision of the Tuesday evening was to work from home on the Wednesday. I had a 8am zoom meeting and the pressure to be ready wasn't helping me get up and out of bed. Something really weird happened to our water pressure and the wake me up shower that I needed wasn't happening. I got through the meeting and then while yelling comments at Adam and nearly forgetting my mask as I sped to the door to get some shopping in so I could eat.
When I got to the supermarket, there was thankfully a queue to get in and I could take a moment. I phoned Adam and said sorry. I'd been really grumpy and snappy. And I totally knew why.
When I first came across the acronym H.A.L.T it was being used in a presentation about how we show up at work and the micro behaviours that can impact others. It got a big smile and nods of recognition and everytime I see it presented is still has that impact. It's a tool popular in addiction to help with managing impulsive behaviors. You don't though, as this article points out, need to be managing addiction to get some help with self - awareness.
Taking a moment to recognise where you might be at and what you need in that moment can save you a whole lot of pain. While most of the time we act thoughtfully and rationally there are times when we don't. Taking time to eat, rest and feeling prepared for the day matters for how we show up.
A number of articles I read had the 'L' as Lonely rather than Late. Staying connected with people is one of the core needs for us as human beings and at times when isolation and change in working conditions occurs are ability to stay connect can be limited or challenging. Finding different ways to keep connected and reach out to people is key, check in on someone via text or pick up the phone.
The tool may also be a good way to show kindness and empathy to others. With a gentle hand you might be able to allow them to recognise what they are feeling and what they need. In health we give ourselves this huge pressure to perform and keep going without taking care of ourselves. The impact of irrational behaviour can have ripple effects that you might not even be aware of. In leadership positions our micro behaviours say a lot and people react, respond and follow your lead. Feeling hungry, angry, late (or lonely) or tired will impact how you show up and behave. Recognising the impact of that can help us tame the anxiety or irrational behaviour that you might be just every so subtly be feeling and showing.
Stopping for a moment, asking yourself what am I feeling right now , being able to answer honestly can guide to getting what you'll need to keep performing at your best.
Back to my Wednesday I got breakfast and the world got a lot better. I also appear to be building a lock down coffee making skill that is giving me a huge sense of achievement and learning new things as well as meeting that caffeine need.
