Ninety Seconds Before the Rules Change Again: A Monday Practice

Federal employees are starting another week with headlines saying the rules changed again — and for a lot of people the shoulders are already up at the ears before the first cup of coffee. Before you read one more article about appeals, registers, or retention factors, give your nervous system ninety seconds.

Why Ninety Seconds

Ninety seconds is all this takes. And if your mind wanders halfway through, that is not failing. That is what minds do. Come back anyway.

You can do this at your desk, on the shuttle, or in the parking garage. Nobody will know.

The Five-Count Exhale

Breathe in through your nose for three. One, two, three. Now out, slowly, for five. One, two, three, four, five.

The exhale is the brake pedal. Longer out than in — that is the whole trick.

Again. In, two, three. Out, two, three, four, five.

One more time, and on this one, let the shoulders drop on the way out.

That is the practice.

Steady First, Rules Later

The rules may well change again this week — the appeals, the registers, all of it. Every piece of it is worth understanding, and it will be covered here one story at a time. You will read it better with your feet on the floor and your breath moving slow.

Save this one for the next hard morning. Ninety seconds of steady, every Monday.

Steadiness is not a substitute for information. If you want the week’s federal employment developments in plain English, delivered to your inbox, you can sign up for our free newsletter.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Federal employment situations are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Please consult a qualified federal employment attorney about your specific situation. You can contact Southworth PC at attorneysforfederalemployees.com.