I’ve been cultivating complexity in my “person first” time value.
If you haven’t yet read my post about “person first,” I suggest you take a peek at it now.
When I first started to utilize this concept as a time value that impacted my decisions, I focused most of my energy on the elements of sleep and eating.
As I’ve further developed my time values I’ve seen the importance of other factors in cultivating a fulfilling personhood.
Specifically, I’ve focused more time on play and being present.
In order to feel fulfilled and focused in my other identities, I need to give ample time to being playful and present in non-work activities.
My family helps me create time for this, especially during our annual trips up to Door County, Wisconsin.
1. Play
I have a younger brother and younger sister, and fond memories of playing with them throughout our childhood and young adulthood.
Though I tend to be the one to retreat into my introversion, my work, or my personal thoughts, my siblings pull the playfulness out of me in a way no one else can.
Our family trips to Door County are a prime example of this blissful play – whether it be goofing around in a pool, our cut throat mini golf excursions, frolicking in a corn maze, or playing cards around a hotel table, we find play in whatever setting we find ourselves in.
2. Being Present
I feel a demand to be present when I spend time with my family.
Part of this comes from the way we engage with one another – when we’re in person, we’re almost always interacting.
Sometimes I find this stressful as I struggle to balance being present while also giving time and space to my work identities. I also am the most introverted of our bunch, so when I don’t get enough time alone to rejuvenate, I don’t always show up with the best energy.
Overall, though, I gain so much from the time my family spends in Door County each year. These annual trips are a blend of familiar and novelty, play (and sometimes work), and a reminder of the importance of my family identity.
Whenever I feel myself pushing back against this space of play and presence, I remind myself of this:
You will be more successful, more productive, and more focused in your other roles if you prioritize your personhood first. Your unfulfilled needs weigh you down and slow you down. Prioritizing yourself is not selfish. You can give more to your other roles when you first give time to yourself.
I challenge you to explore this concept of person first time valuation. Write down the needs you have as a person that you tend to neglect. Now, brainstorm three ways you can make time to prioritize these needs this week – write these down and keep note visible throughout the week as a little reminder to yourself. Hold yourself accountable.