Learning to enjoy the eye of the storm

In seven days time, I expect to be at least 35,000ft above the north-west reaches of the UK, nearing the end of a journey from Auckland, New Zealand to London, England. The reason for my trip? I'm booked to speak at the British Academy of Management conference in Belfast. While in the UK, I'll also attend some meetings, and take a few days off with my wife who is travelling with me. The trip involves 40,000km of air travel; 24 hours of timezone change; and, a season change (from late winter to late summer and back).

On the surface, it'll be a demanding trip. However, the trip may actually be a blessing in disguise: a time of relative calm sandwiched between two even busier periods. Here's what I've been up to in recent weeks:

• Commenced a formal board evaluation (18-member board with many challenges and tensions)
• Written a manuscript for a highly regarded journal (now being peer-reviewed)
• Written an article for an online magazine
• Delivered a couple of professional development courses
• Facilitated three strategy development workshops
• Reviewed the Company Directors Course material for the Institute of Directors 
• Attended two board meetings
• Added about 7500 words to my doctoral thesis

A new list of actions to be completed before Christmas awaits my attention when I get home:

• Complete the data analysis and thesis write-up (my stated goal is to submit the doctoral thesis for examination before Christmas)
  
• Present the board evaluation report (the 18-member board)
• Deliver three professional development courses
• Attend a professional development course
• Facilitate three strategy development workshops
• Attend four board meetings

Measured against these lists, the seemingly hectic trip, to fulfil a speaking engagement and attend meetings on the other side of the planet, might not be so demanding after all. In fact, the trip may be analogous to the eye of storm. My point? The here-and-now can seem pretty hectic. Long-distance travel can be pretty demanding. However, if one steps back and looks at the big picture, periods of relative calm become visible amongst the busyness. Seek them out and enjoy them, for the next period of busyness lies in wait.