The Non-Definitive Guide to Staying Sane in an Age of Overwhelm- Part Two

Guiding Principles for Intentional Engagement, Key Design Questions and Downloadable Poster.

It’s a bit of a minefield out there when it comes to knowing what to share online. Should you comment, or not, post or not? Should you engage with this person, or not. We are bombarded with so much information, adverts, news and entertainment, all seeking our time and attention, that it’s no wonder so many feel overwhelmed in the face of the seemingly unlimited choices.

In my own efforts to focus my attention and reduce feelings of overwhelm, I have designed my own set of guidelines for content sharing and engagement. I wanted something to help me get more intentional about how I chose to spend my time, attention and energy, including what I choose to share online. It is not a strict list of Do’s and Don’ts, more set of principles of engagement to help make discerning choices, which energise and inspire rather than exhaust and deflate.

Today’s post comes in two sections. The first, for all subscribers, is a short story about how these guidelines came about, and a link to their source of inspiration. Then, for paid subscribers, I have outlined the full set of my adapted principles and have also included an engagement design poster, to print out and have at hand as a handy reminder the next time you are feeling a little stuck or overwhelmed with what to share on and offline. I like to think of them as a ‘recalibration pharmacy’; a set of healing, calming questions to bring us back to centre.

Missed Part One of the Guide? You can read here.

The Non-Definitive Guide to Staying Sane (Online) in an Age of Overwhelm- Part One

The Non-Definitive Guide to Staying Sane in an Age of Overwhelm- Part Two

Back in 2018, I attended a gathering which has had a beautiful imprint on the shape my life. It was hosted by On Being, a podcast by the journalist and writer, Krista Tippett. We gathered among ancient redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains in California for four days of conversation, connection, poetry and learning.

At the opening event, to a hushed and anticipant audience, a set of ‘Grounding Virtues’ were introduced: qualities or principles which were introduced to us as invites into how to frame our time together, and as ways to engage intentionally.

There were six in total: words that matter, hospitality, humility, patience, generous listening, adventurous civility.

Each was shared with a short description, and printed on large boards displayed in the main room throughout the event. Somehow I think the essence of those words, and the spirit in which they were shared, diffused into the entire gathering, shaping the quality of connections which happened there. As a result, I met a group of people who have since become some of my closest friends and confidants. By framing in the grounding virtues, our engagement was shaped with powerful parameters around which to explore conversations. It felt intentional and open, while being held in safe, supported ground. Put very simply: it was glorious.

Since then, thinking about how this method can be applied, I have adapted the ‘Grounding Virtues’, and have brought them to gatherings, classrooms and my own engagements both online and offline. Instead of calling them ‘Grounding Virtues’ however, I call them ‘Guiding Principles’, as I think it connects more with an Irish audience (where notions of virtues are intertwined with our repressed Catholic guilt — I try to avoid words which may trigger it!) The language of principles resonates more with me in any case. I have a rotating set of around ten, which, depending on the event or piece I am working on, I’ll tailor. Sometimes, as I have done here, I couple them with a question to help steer engagement.

Here are my set of Guiding Principle for Intentional Engagement…

Principle of Usefulness.

Principle of Nourishment.

Principle of Beauty.

Principle of Insightful Contribution.

Principle of Service.

Principle Generous Listening.

Plus the question: How does this link to my values?

In today’s Part Two, I share more about how I have used each of these principle, include a series of key design questions, and include the link to the downloadable poster.

Thank you! And, in the spirit of the principles, I hope you find this useful, nourishing, and beautiful.

Clare