2022 12 14

So much to do, so little time…

The topic definitely sounds like a highly stressful situation, but this autumn passed with a flow for me, and I want to share some of my strategies for juggling the everyday life as a parent, entrepreneur (don’t really like that word), dog owner, a person reluctant to say no to fun things and being a husband. I know I preach to hold space for dialogues, reflection and inspiration. But do I take my own medicine?

First a rear-view mirror on the last months and some examples of assignments:

  • It’s big for me and it felt like I had come home when I joined Bridget during Sofie Sandén’s parental leave. So fun to be part of the team!
  • I can proudly announce that I have landed a framework agreement with a large Swedish truck manufacturer (Not the one you people in Gothenburg think of.) on leadership training. Delivering on that is fun, but also in these post-pandemic times also require some travelling. 
  • Started working with Radar ark-plan during November supporting the managers in the organization on the responsibilities that comes with being an employer. 
  • Continued work with the management team at VWR International/Avantor and I look forward to se the organization grow further
  • Trainings and workshops for Nexer Tech Talent both digitally and F2F and I’m happy to start a lot of mentorship programs in both Stockholm and Gothenburg
  • And last, but definitely not least! The CoCreate innovation hub initiative lives on digitally and F2F. More people are joining and 2023 will be really interesting!

These are just some of my clients, so you can see I like to keep my calendar well stuffed. At the same time, I promote the importance of time for dialogues, reflection and inspiration. But do I walk the talk? I have come to see some patterns and routines that are really important to me:

  • Daily (almost) checkins and a short meditation on four perspectives – body, heart, mind and soul. It helps me notice where I want and need change. In the car, walking the dog or before going to sleep.
  • Daily wrap ups and short plan for tomorrow with my wife every night when the kids are tucked in and the Rapport news show on SVT Play has ended, just before she goes to sleep, and I start the last working period of the day.
  • Accepting that I’m most productive at night. Since my workdays are stuffed with meetings, my zen is with some coffee at my workstation in the basement. And fortunately I don’t need too much sleep.
  • Live in the moment. I struggle to get hold of my own brain to be present, embracing those glimpses of things that make me happy. Even if it’s the five minute walk to pick up kids from school or the wind smashed surface on the lake I pass on the dog walk.
  • Stand up for my needs. I crave time off. Outside. Not with the ones I spend every day with. But people close to me, sharing nature experiences and endevours as well as conversations during a good meal.

Small things, that I have made habits. And when I don’t make room for them – my flow crashes. It’s been a conscious, sometimes difficult journey, but nowadays I believe I can answer yes to that question in the middle of this blog post. I believe I walk my talk.

Johan Norrfjärd
I work with people driven business development. Simply because I want to give momentum to the right kind of transformation. The transformation coming from vertical development that creates a better world for current and coming generations. I strive for trust, happiness and freedom in all collaborations and co-creations.
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