Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/438230
JANUARY 2015 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 19 Michael Lindfield, co-founder of The Science of Group Work Initiative, is a consultant, executive coach, and author with more than 40 years of international experience in helping unleash the creativity of the human spirit. " It takes courage and clarity to stop and question the many personal and collective beliefs that dictate what success should look like. It takes even more courage to follow our dreams and engage in activities that nourish the soul at the expense of the ego." These are hard lessons and often take the form of health crises brought on by long stressful hours on the job or broken relationships that have withered after not receiving the necessary nourishment of time and loving attention. INVESTING OUR ENERGY Many of us are facing some tough choices, the result of feeling either disillusioned or burnt out. We may be careful about how we invest our hard-earned savings, but do we give the same attention and due diligence to how we invest our life energy so that it generates the greatest return of goodness for ourselves and others? Any workplace can be challenging. The rhythm of the soul and the forced schedule of bringing ideas to market don't always live together harmoniously. Although nature provides us four seasons for growth and renewal, most human projects only utilize two seasons—spring and summer. We sow and grow, sow and grow. In so doing, however, we often forget to engage in the autumnal ritual of harvest and celebration, and the inner peace of winter, during which new seeds containing the wisdom of the previous years' experiences are held in expectant silence. Taking a cue from nature, we could create healthier conditions in our lives simply by adding time for celebration, gratitude, and quiet reflection before spring comes around again. A revised set of life and business skills are needed that foster an understanding of these deeper creative rhythms and how they apply to the mundane practice of managing projects and achieving business goals. A good analogy comes from the sport of running. Every serious runner knows that preparing for a 5K is different than training for a marathon. Each has its own mental, emotional and physical requirements. Nonetheless, it's imperative to maintain a dynamically balanced training schedule—one that moves you toward your goal without inflicting harm on your body—regardless of which event you have coming up. It's also critical to "run within your breath." In other words, pacing is vital. The same can be said about life. RESOLUTIONS TO LIVE BY The human spirit can only reach its peak potential when given all four seasons, including the season of rest. This isn't faith or fancy but a reality based on observation. After we realize this, the question becomes: How? This brings us back to the new year, a perfect time for setting goals and planning our path. Consider the following New Year's resolutions as good starting points: • Make regular sojourns in nature to slow things down and allow life to be viewed from a wider perspective. • Revisit your childhood passions and the natural gifts and interests that sparked joy and fulfillment in your early years. • Study a contemplative practice, such as mindfulness, yoga, or tai chi as pragmatic paths to self-discovery and healthy living. • Commit to spending five minutes every day doing absolutely nothing except witnessing your thoughts and feelings without blame or judgment. • Give thanks constantly and breathe gently from the heart. Allow me to use one more analogy, if you will. A certain portion of my usual morning run takes me through a wooded area. Several years ago, the dirt trail was paved over to provide easier and safer footing. A year later, I noticed some areas of swelling on the path. The bumps grew each day until one morning I saw a fiddlehead fern breaking through the surface. I stopped in my tracks. Once again, I was reminded that true strength comes from within.