A bit like the Third Space

Our adventure this week involves watching a short video (6 mins) and then trying it out (4 mins). You will find the video here. But before you watch it, please try out the following:

1. Reflect (30 seconds) … on your last activity. Identify what positives you achieved within it, and any learning you put into place (NOTE: this is not a critique – you did some good. Look at it!)
2. Rest (30 seconds) … sit square in your chair, arms and legs uncrossed, feet on the floor. Close your eyes to cut out distractions and breathe slowly. And bring your attention to each of your senses – in yourself, in this moment. Re-centre them on yourself.  And pause for a minute.
3. Reset (30 seconds) … think about the video you are about to watch. Think about what version of yourself is likely to get the best from the next 6 minutes. And determine to bring that version of yourself to watching the video.

Then watch the video. And make whatever notes or intentions you want to make. And then, before you move on to the next task you have set:

1. Reflect (30 seconds) … on how you watched the video. Identify what positives you drew for yourself from within it (Remember it is not a critique)
2. Rest (30 seconds) … sit square in your chair, arms and legs uncrossed, feet on the floor. Close your eyes to cut out distractions and breathe slowly. And bring your attention to each of your senses – in yourself, in this moment. Re-centre them on yourself.  And pause for a minute.
3. Reset (30 seconds) … think about the next situation you are about to step into. Think about what version of yourself is likely to most helpful to those around you and achieving the best outcomes. And determine to step into your next situation as that version of yourself.

That’s it. One short video, and two (very brief, and unrefined) applications of Adam Fraser’s insight. But hopefully enough for you to begin to get a glimpse of its potential. And, of course, to have taken another adventure in your mind.

Trying the Third Space for Real

The Blue Track is about trying out the Third Space on some things that are real and meaningful for you. This could be all of the transitions in one day, or it could be a number of what you believe will be important transitions over the next week. Whichever you choose, do the following:

• Consider how much time you have for each of those transitions to use the Third Space properly, and how you can find somewhere uninterrupted to have your Third Space.
• Set your alarms (calendar, phone, whatever) to give you time for your Third Space before each of the upcoming activities. Remember that if you (rightly) want to review and critique the preceding activity, this needs to take place outside of your Third Space. Keep your intention for the Third Space very simple and straightforward – it is about the best possible transition, nothing more.
• When your alarm goes, make sure you cannot be interrupted, and work through Adam’s Reflect-Rest-Reset process. Don’t worry if you struggle a bit, there is plenty of opportunity to perfect it for yourself.
• Bear in mind that Rest does not have to be the process described in the Green Track. Depending on the time that you have available, there are many  mindfulness exercises available through YouTube (although, personally, I find prayer works for me), but it could be a walk, or other exercise, or something else you find restful.

Over to Adam Fraser …

For many of us, the restrictions of the Pandemic have meant that we no longer have the travel time that enabled us to make the most important transition in our lives – that from work to spouse, parent and/or friend. Work live balance is not about the hours, it is about who you are in those hours.

If as a result of trying out the Green and Blue Tracks, you can see the potential in the Third Space (particularly in respect of moving between work and home) and want to take it further. Then I need to hand you back to Adam Fraser so that you can use his resources (most of which he seems to have made generously available for free) to further think through and refine your approach. I have included his website and some of his words of wisdom in the Pack section below.

The Third Space has huge potential for our own mental health, and for the mental health of those around us who benefit from us (and others) turning up in our most helpful form. So the pack area also contains other resources you might want to reflect upon.