Startup Nervous System Regulation
Running a startup or working in one is a uniquely 21st-century experience. Intense work environments are nothing new. We are at a point where things are as good as they have ever been in the Western world. Many have transitioned to remote work. Removing the costly time spent commuting and increasing flexibility.
Employees shouldn’t use it as an opportunity to ask:
“How much can I get away with?”.
But rather:
How much impact can I bring in as little time as possible?
While remaining available for support in a flexible way, i.e. staying available on a cell phone when you’re out of the house. Tuning into the rhythms of the organization is the best approach.
But even though virtually anyone can make work from home happen if they want to these days. There’s a hidden cost of the loss of co-regulation that is widely discussed but not resolved. Many are stuck on calls all day, which makes working from a coffee shop untenable.
Coworking spaces are a perfect solution. They’re set to explode in the next ten years as the benefits become even more apparent.
All of this is table stakes if we don’t focus on the core issue here. It doesn’t matter how smooth and comfortable the environment is. If your internal landscape is tumultuous, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to function anywhere. Here are some ways you can calm down even in the most intense environments:
Focus on belly breathing, inhaling into your stomach rather than your chest.
Regularly orient yourself to your physical environment.
Listen to the internal narrative without judgment.
These can be done anywhere, anytime, without necessarily stopping what you’re doing.
Plus, fresh air never hurts.