What is languishing?

Colleagues,

Back in early February, I admitted to struggling emotionally. I said “It isn’t that I am depressed, it is more a feeling of emptiness.” It must have resonated with many of you, as I received a flurry of replies. If today’s message also resonates, you may want to go back and read my previous post here.
 
It turns out that there is a name for what I was, and if I’m being honest, still am struggling with. This New York Times article talks about a phenomena called languishing. It is the space on the mental health continuum between flourishing (yes, that’s an official term) and depression. It is the state of not being ill, but not being well either. 
 
The article is well worth a read, but the critical element is how we respond to languishing. The article suggests two things:

1. Uninterrupted time being focused on something
2. Focusing on small goals

 
I laughed at reading these suggestions because it is what we as strategic leaders should be doing all the time!
 
I’m not saying strategic leadership is an antidote to languishing but working to engage in our strategic practices is not only healthy for our organization, but also for ourselves.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick