One of the activities I like to do when not working is yoga. I’ve used it as a time for me to relax, switch off and keep fit.
Every month Eunice Learmont BA MDA MIPW FInstPa ACILEX STEP Affiliate my fabulous instructor (pictured) introduces a new theme.
Last month was “Balance is the dance – through the interplay between effort and surrender, we find harmony both on and off the mat”. It was about playing at the edges, creating balance between letting go and stretching yourself. Great to explore when you are doing yoga and I had lots of fun as I wobbled and tried to achieve the pose, that Eunice was showing and I had in my mind’s eye.
What does this look like “off the mat”? Eunice suggests that rather than approaching change from an ‘all or nothing’ perspective, could we play in the space between effort and surrender? As balance is the dance let’s find harmony celebrating our courage to venture into our pockets of discomfort, rather than settle into our coziness.
How does this apply to team and organizational growth? Should we even try to stretch as in times of uncertainty staying in our regular ways of working and not trying new things feels much more comfortable? And it’s always worked before.
This is the time we need to explore the edges of what can be done and stretch our ways of working. Retreating into what is familiar means that we dont respond to the change that is going on around us. Opportunities for innovation and doing things more effectively exist at boundaries. So, we need to explore these opportunities and be willing to stretch our thinking. It might mean we will have wobbles, and it might not always be comfortable, but we will end up in a better place. Let’s find the balance between comfort and stretch and celebrate the progress we make when we do this.
Love to get your thoughts on stretching and taking risks in times of uncertainty.