jakorte's blog

Designing my own flexibility.

The first work day was brutal. Torrential rains, high humidity, hard hats, gloves, goggles, work boots, long pants, no running water, no electricity. I read that someone in our group had described that day as one where walking to the car would break a sweat.

I took to heart another piece of Eric Miller’s repeated advice; if you need a break – take one. I took a lot of breaks that first day. So much so, that at one point one concerned volunteer asked if they should try to get me a ride back to the church. I guess I didn’t look like I was going to make it through the day. I didn’t feel like it either.

So, I came up with a plan. I decided that I would rather volunteer to stay behind the next day and do everyone’s laundry, just so long as I didn’t have to go back out to that home site.

But, strangely enough, the next morning came around, and I was ready to go. I told myself that I could at least try to make it through half a day, I’d be ok. And then halfway through the day, I came up with another plan. I would volunteer to stay behind and help the cooks the next day. But, I also convinced myself that I could finish the day’s work at the site.

This little self-tricking flexibility routine went on inside my head every day. I am proud to say that I made it through every work day and never did quit.

jak