During the past few days, I’ve been reflecting on knowing the end point, and the effects that this can have on our mentality.
Specifically, positive effects that enable us to cope.
I work on 12-week R&R cycles, which is to say: for every 11 weeks of work in DR Congo, I am meant to take one week outside of the country to rest and recover. When weighing up the intensity of my work against my overall energy levels, I feel comfortable to push my limits and work longer hours either when I’m recently back from holiday, or when a holiday is on the horizon.
I do the former due to feeling refreshed. It usually comes with a promise to myself that the higher intensity work must only be for a short phase. I commit to the latter because the end is in sight.
It’s comparable to putting in a sprint finish when running. Accepting extra pain and lactic acid build-up is fine because you know you’re going to stop.
I’ve worked in DR Congo for two years and eight months now, and have seen many colleagues come and go. Living in a house with 10 other international staff, naturally there are housemates who are easy to live with, and those with whom it’s more difficult. Confession time: sometimes knowing the end dates of my colleagues’ contracts help to me to suppress petty irritations. My inner monologue plays out something like this: “The way she does x is really annoying …but she will leave in three months’ time, of which I’ll either be on holiday or travelling for one month. Just put up with it.”
So, seeing the end point helps to maintain peace. And peace is precious!
Writing this on the 1st of June, 2020, people across the world are suffering from the direct and indirect effects of the COVID19 pandemic, and will be asking themselves about the end point(s) associated with that.
I will offer some thoughts on it in Part 2, tomorrow.