There Is No Spoon? Understanding Spoon Theory & Preventing Burnout

As presented at Railsconf 2017

Transcript

1. THERE IS NO SPOON? Understanding ‘Spoon Theory’ & Preventing Burnout Jameson Hampton @jameybash
2. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash @jameybash
3. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash Hi, I’m Jamey
4. What is Spoon Theory?? Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash A social metaphor for how much energy we each have in a day The key to Spoon Theory = You have a finite number!
5. “I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a loss of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control.” - Christine Miserandino Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
6. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash You can’t know how many spoons someone else has just by looking at them!
7. What happens when you run out? Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
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13. Who does spoon theory affect? Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash • Shared Language • Greater empathy for others • Better understanding of our limits
14. Physical Illnesses & Disabilities ◦Constant pain is exhausting! ◦Emotional drain of worry ◦Reduced mobility/decreased accessibility ◦Frequent health care Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
15. Mental Illnesses ◦Constant emotional distress is also exhausting ◦Being told to “get over it!” ◦Can be socially ostracizing ◦Can also be physical Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
16. Marginalized Groups ◦Being discriminated against sucks! ◦Emotionally dealing with the political climate ◦Having to justify your existence ◦Microaggressions Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash “You don’t sound black” “You don’t look transgender” “Where are you from anyway?” “So who’s the guy in your relationship?” “Are you the secretary?”
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21. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash As you can see, privilege is a factor! Just because you have privilege, it doesn’t mean your life can’t be hard sometimes! But it isn’t hard BECAUSE you have privilege. It’s hard EVEN THOUGH you have it.
22. How does this affect me??? Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
23. Self Care! Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
24. Self Care! Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash Accountability Forgiveness
25. Managing your employees’ spoons ◦Productivity – everyone needs energy to do their best work ◦Empathy – you care about them (I hope!) & want them to lead fulfilling lives Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash Burn Out
26. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash Let’s talk about Agile!
27. Spoons vs Agile Methodology Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash • Velocity – an intangible unit of measurement • Prioritizing your team dynamic • Your employees are your #1 resource!
28. Lessening your employees’ burdens ◦Recognize that their health is more important than their work ◦Provide adequate health care! ◦Treat mental illness as an illness ◦Make accessibility a priority, not an afterthought Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
29. Keeping people’s needs in mind -- Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash “Fair” isn’t always “equal”
30. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash Keeping people’s needs in mind -- Understanding the affect on productivity
31. Fostering a diverse & tolerant workplace ◦ Actions speak louder than words ◦ Don’t demand that minorities do all the diversity work! ◦ But do listen to your underrepresented employees and believe their stories ◦ Don’t tolerate crappy behavior! Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
32. Recommended reading/watching! ◦ The original Spoon Theory essay by Christine Miserandino - https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ ◦ Your Invisible Illness Is Valid by Sam Escobar - https://femsplain.com/your- invisible-illness-is-valid-f33f85f18dc3 ◦ That Time You Failed To Follow Up On Diversity by Melissa Nightingale - https://mfbt.ca/that-time-you-failed-to-follow-up-on-diversity- cd701f52da6c?gi=dd80985b40fb ◦ Monitoring The Health of Your Self by Mary Thengvall - http://confreaks.tv/videos/codedaze2016-monitoring-the-health-of-your-self ◦ The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel by Zach Anner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhpUJRGrZgc Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash
33. Railsconf 2017 | @jameybash @jameybash jameybash.com