Avoiding atrophy.
At some point, the cast needs to come off.
Am I creating atrophy?
By solving a problem.
By doing the work.
Am I preventing others from growing? Learning from experimentation, from pain, from failure.
What if they never feel the pain?
When do the “bulletproof” systems and processes put in place to fix, protect and restore start creating weakness?
A rigid cast around a fragile or broken limb will help it heal. But very quickly, muscles atrophy and become weak.
When does the cast come off?
When does active rehabilitation start?
When do we start training the old and new muscle around it?
When does that transition happen in the workplace?
Something is broken, and it’s painful. Surgery, stitches, splints, and the bleeding is stopped.
New structure is formed around the healing process, as it hardens.
A fixed problem. It’s yours to protect, care for, keep safe.
You’ve gotten used to living with it.
That helpful brace is comforting. Removing it is going to hurt.
Rehab is uncomfortable. Therapy requires unlearning a few things.
But keeping that cast on too long has created new problems. Ugh. 😑
Life is phases.
What phase is this work in? What does it require?
Bulletproofing? Firm formation of protective layers and defense outside elements? Or is it time to rebuild new muscle?
By doing your job, are you protecting others from pain or from growth?