Just another IC here but I've seen middle managers just bureaucratize an existing process for their benefit. Something like:
a) identify a process that is working well/delivering results
b) insert a reporting procedure/step for everyone to now follow on the process (e.g. Google Forms)
c) manager then builds a weekly report on reporting data collected
d) manager circulates their report up/down the org to show their value as part of successful process
e) bonus: internally tout the innovative new reporting process as a big win and highlight the 100% adoption rate achieved
So, if all these "colleagues all throughout the org" come to you, you could potentially put in place a request process to document and report on all these interactions and what you delivered. So your metrics are the number of requests you handle and the "successful outcomes" are just fulfilling those requests. In short, document everything. Lot's of unnecessary busywork to gatekeep your access? Yes, but there's your "tangible output".
Probably a large donor's money spigot was affected (e.g. FAFSA private loan servicers) and the WH got a call from them. Same with the plan to deport prisoners, queue the calls into the WH from private prison lobbyists in 3,2,1...
my .02, I had a great 3 year expat experience. I think the difference was I was young and in a large city. While I certainly connected with many locals, other expats from many different countries formed my core friend group and I was often inviting local colleagues out with us.
An easier snowboard test is to tell someone to turn around and tell them you are going to give them a push. Give them a shove to the upper back and see which foot they put forward first to brace.
Older runner as well and have also had to take sporadic time off to deal with plantar fascitis, IT band, achilles, etc. Agree with listening to your body and what I'm hearing is slow down to stretch out my total running lifespan/days. I'd rather run 5K every other day on gravel/dirt paths indefinitely than risk some really long term injury running 26 miles on asphalt (seen others have to hang up their running shoes after doing the big races).
So, if all these "colleagues all throughout the org" come to you, you could potentially put in place a request process to document and report on all these interactions and what you delivered. So your metrics are the number of requests you handle and the "successful outcomes" are just fulfilling those requests. In short, document everything. Lot's of unnecessary busywork to gatekeep your access? Yes, but there's your "tangible output".