How do you know when to “make” things happen and when to “let” things happen?
Most leaders and entrepreneurs move through life feeling rushed and pressured, striving to ‘make it happen.’ They assume if they don’t push and strive, they won’t accomplish their goals. This is often referred to as drive.
The above question has been one I’ve visited often. I used to believe that I had to make things happen. When I was an executive I would often have projects and company initiatives that I was in charge of and it definitely looked like my push and striving were a necessary ingredient.
However, over the last 7 years, I have been lovingly challenged by my teachers and mentors to consider there is another way. I’ve been encouraged to let go of that internal push and pressure and listen for a deeper signal.
You may be wondering, “What is she talking about? Of course, I have to push and making things happen is totally on me!”
Well, if you are willing to experiment, to get curious and see for yourself, I promise you will wake up to an AMAZING, BUILT-IN, POWER and POTENTIAL that ALREADY EXIST WITHIN you. And when you learn how to get a feel for it you can leverage it.
Push & drive add tension, pressure and take a toll. They obscure our thinking, our energy, our joy. Think about those days when you’re done with work and you’re mentally exhausted and all you want to do is sit on the couch. That’s a reflection that your mind has been incredibly busy and adding tension and pressure to your experience.
When your mind is clear, you engage more fully, make smarter, more proactive decisions and see options and possibilities more clearly. You are more creative, have more moments of insight and out-of-the-blue ideas. Think of those days when you’ve been really busy, and your calendar is full, but you go home at the end of the day and you feel energized. That’s a reflection of a freer, open, less encumbered mind.
The less we are gripped by our thoughts, the more ease and internal space – the higher quality ideas and feelings we have.
This understanding was the beginning of taking my hands off the wheel. Realizing that pressure, stress and drive were NOT a necessary ingredient for success.
And in its place, I also began to SEE and EXPERIENCE that there is a natural momentum, energy and essence behind life that is funding us and giving life to our creative ideas.
Another way to talk about this natural, built-in, energy is FLOW.
Learning how to SEE and ACCESS natural states of flow allows us to engage in our work and lives connected to a deeper intelligence. From that space, we get clues, nudges, insights and we follow what is emerging versus trying to force our will.
Getting a feel for the natural momentum of our ideas and our lives, allows us to leverage those natural states of flow. And often leads us to surprising results and takes us beyond what we thought was possible.
The below video is Lesson 3: Tapping Into the Natural Momentum and the final video in our free 3-part video series called: Stop Hesitating Start Engaging.
If you missed Lesson 1: What Stops Us From Engaging you can watch it here or Lesson 2: Engaging with Nothing on It, here.