Why do you do what you do? How do you stay rooted?
The root note is the main note on which a chord is built. It is the foundation.
This is not a music lesson by the way.
The root note can be thought of as the reason you started doing what you do now.
Why do you do what you do?
When did you last think about this and connect with your root?
On re-connecting with your root, notice how it feels.
The energy.
Systems, processes, technology and other influences can take you away from your root.
Social norms, conditioning, and concepts are the currents upon which you can drift away.
A shift in focus–what you focus on governs how you feel.
And your body systems that generate your experiences look for more of that evidence too.
More drifting away.
How do you stay rooted?
There are different ways that I will come to.
But why does this matter?
A few reasons:
- To maintain alignment with your values
- To feel a sense of purpose
- To prevent burnout
- To deliver the kind of care that is caring and compassionate
- To self-care
Staying rooted to why you do with what you do is a fundamental part of the spirit of Pain Coaching. The notion of a spirit comes from motivational interviewing (MI) where the spirit truly matters. Your way of being with people impacts heavily on outcomes, yet more important is the fact that you work with another human being to help them shape a positive future.
The way you are and the way you go about your work matters as much as, if not more, than any particular therapy or treatment.
When it comes to pain, there is no one treatment or therapy. Pain is far too complex and idiosyncratic.
So, your root note.
Think back to when you started. Or even beforehand.
What was it that inspired you to choose the route you took?
Go back.
What comes to mind? How does it feel?
Look out for the part of you that pipes up with ifs and buts. Thank it and come back to what you are doing.
Oh yes but things have changed, bla, bla, bla.
That’s not the point.
The point is to focus on why you do what you do and keep that at the heart of your daily actions.
It maybe simply to help people lead their best lives.
In fact, simple is better.
Reminding yourself of this each day is a good use of a few moments. To orientate yourself.
You may have something on your desk or your phone that reminds you.
Because you need reminding. We all do.
To be mindful means to remember.
You forget. We forget.
And then start again.
Connect and reconnect.
Just as you do when you are with a patient or client. You connect and reconnect.
A gratitude practice helps you to reconnect.
To be grateful for the opportunity to do what you do.
Importantly, noticing how this feels in your body–otherwise it is an intellectual exercise rather than a felt, lived experience.
This is an element of self care, a key part of being a professional helper.
Summed up beautifully by Ram Dass:
“I can do nothing for you but work on myself. You can do nothing for me but work on yourself”.
Ponder this for a moment if you like.
How you are in the world…how you relate to the world, to what happens, to people…
The deeper dives and insights come through a contemplative practice.
Learning to see things as they are more closely with openness, curiosity and compassion.
You can do little better for yourself and hence others than practice installing gratitude, compassion (including self) and curiosity as higher beliefs, the way you see and meet the world.
This way you will be in touch with your root note.
RS – The Pain Coach (about me)
PS/ PAin Coach mentoring
For you if you want to learn and grow as a person and a professional helper — read more here