Jackie Cameron - Coaching and Communication

This is my entry in Robert Hruzek’s monthly group writing project for October at Middle Zone Musings  

As is usually the case, when I saw Bob’s topic for WILF this month I could think of nothing to write.  So I put it on hold - at the back of my head ( which is what I would call a “safe” place. You know - the place where you put things but then can’t remember what you have done with them - or is that just me?) until I had some space to reflect.

Today I was due to visit on the of the schools in the Space Unlimited project  for  Historic Scotland for the first time. As is often the case I don’t know the area in which the school is situated. I use trusty old Google maps to find me a route - and I set off with enough time to spare. I knew I was almost there when I had to stop to ask for directions so I was relaxed about it and I even had time to have a cuppa with Paul the teacher I am working with before the young people were free to come to meet me.

We finished bang on time as they had to go to another class and I was in the car with an hour and half to get me back to my next meeting 50 miles away in Edinburgh.

It’s simple, right? I take the same route I came by - only in reverse…

Hmmm. Well something went wrong right away and I found that I was heading for Glasgow ( totally the opposite way to Edinburgh) and there was no obvious way to turn around without causing a major pile up. So I kept going, sure that there would be some signposts for the M8 - which could reasonably be called one of the major roads in Scotland. I was driving through smart suburbs, then some run down areas, then industrial estates - all the while telling myself that I would see a landmark soon and I would get onto the road. Eventually - hoorah - there was a signpost with the M8  marked - but I had to travel for about another 5 miles before I got onto it.

Phew - despite that detour I was still on track for time to meet Zoe.

Until…. I got to the outskirts of Edinburgh. I won’t bore you with the details but Edinburgh will have trams in 2012 - and the current upheaval is pushing its good citizens to breaking point. I hit the major roundabout that I needed to navigate to head into the City Centre and …the priorities and lanes had been changed since I was last there. I was in a lane taking me away from the City. No problem though - I would just come off at the next junction and take another route - but I missed the turning.

By now my stress levels were building. I was almost back at my own house ( right on the outskirts of the City) before I could take a turnoff. I pulled to the side of the road and called Zoe - who was not available so had to trust my voice message to reach her and plough on.

I realised that my knuckles were now white and that I had a knot in my stomach - willing traffic lights to red and that there would be a parking place for me when I got in the City Centre.

Did I mention that Edinburgh is getting trams? Oh I did .. The City Centre is like an endurance test for drivers at the best of times - right now it is impossible - and I have to say that had there been any other way to make it in time I would not have been there in my car.

I actually arrived only 15 minutes later than arranged. Given what I had been through I think that was something short of miraculous.

Now this is where I tell you what I learned from the stress of this journey. I am guilty of not building enough time in for journeys and often get mega - stressed before I arrive. All things being equal  I had enough time for today’s journey though. Aside from a couple of small errors - I found another way. Where the biggest stress came for me was in situations that I could not affect.

The City is hugely disrupted because of the tram work - fact. I cannot change that.

The City centre is very driver unfriendly at the best of times - fact. I cannot change that either.

Then I remembered this prayer ( which I knew but did not know the history of) - and suddenly I am calm…