5 GeARS

Scott Grabendike

March 3, 2020

If you have ever driven a manual transmission you know how involved the driving experience can be. Most Americans are accustomed to driving automatics where we put the car in drive and let the transmission do all of the work for us. If only life was "automatic."

When it comes to finding work/life balance we need to be more intentional and involved in the process. Throughout our day we need to be aware of when to be in the most appropriate gear for the situation. Some of us prefer 5th Gear (Focus Mode) where we can hammer out details and get a lot of tasks completed. 5th Gear is necessary to get things done. However, we can easily get stuck in 5th Gear and get consumed with tasks and fail to be present with the people around us. Ultimately, being stuck in 5th Gear erodes trust with our families, teams and organizations.

4th Gear (Task Mode) is where many of us spend the majority of our day. While in 4th Gear we are in and out of conversations, projects, emails, text messages and meetings. We need to be in 4th Gear at different times during the day, but we also need to be aware of how reactionary we can become when we are stuck in this gear. The needs around us will always be greater than our capacity. Without the ability to upshift or downshift out of 4th Gear, we will ultimately find ourselves burned out, and subsequently, no good to anyone.

3rd Gear (Social Mode) for some is seen as a waste of time, especially for those who prefer 5th Gear. While some people can abuse 3rd Gear in the workplace, it is also the most adaptable and necessary gear in an age of collaboration. Team meetings should always start in 3rd Gear! Team members should be invited to put away their electronic devices and be fully present with the others prior and during meetings. Once the meeting starts, the team can shift into 5th Gear with greater ease. Research shows that the highest performing teams are those who create space for 3rd Gear!

2nd Gear (Connect Mode) is experienced when we slow down and enjoy the connection with friends and family outside of work. This is one of the most enjoyable gears and can be the gear that best reminds us that we are more than what we do.

1st Gear (Recharge Mode). For years I would spend most of my day in 3rd and 4th Gear, and by the time I got home, I was so exhausted I would immediately downshift into 1st Gear or what I thought was 1st Gear. My tendency was to escape into a book, Netflix or a hobby, never feeling rested. I have realized over the years that there is a difference between crashing and recharging. Although, 1st Gear will look differently for each of us, we must all be intentional about finding time and space in our day to do something that recharges us.

Don't forget Reverse (Responsive Mode). This gear allows us to back up and apologize when we are in the wrong gear at the wrong time. You may come home from a long, exhausting day and have the tendency to slip right into 1st Gear. If you are single, the shift from Gears 5, 4, and 3 when you get home will seem natural. However, if you have a family, try spending some time in 2nd Gear before you downshift into 1st Gear. And if you fail to match the gears of those around you, back up and ask for forgiveness.

Finally, focus on addressing your weakest gear and you will see significant growth in your life. Ask for permission from the people around you to be in a particular gear depending on your need. Teach others in your life the language of the 5 Gears. Communicate and show deference to them when they need to be in a different gear than you. The more involved and intentional we are in shifting through the gears, the more enjoyable the journey for everyone.

• What is your preferred gear?

• What is your most difficult gear?

• When was the last time you were in the wrong gear with someone? What was the result?

• What gear, if you worked on improving this year, would lead to the most significant growth in your life?