Get Comfortable
I sunk into the armchair, it was old ... some kind of vinyl. As I allowed myself to relax, it swallowed me up like a big, soft, reassuring hug. It was deliciously comfortable.
Strangely familiar, like a hug from a long lost friend, but also starkly unfamiliar to feel so unexpectedly supported in the midst of a full and focused day.
This moment of physical contrast swung my mind into curiosity, as these feeling moments often do, pondering our collective insatiable passion for discomfort in our quest for growth and expansion.
My massage therapist continued talking to me about the shoulder niggles she was about to painfully address, but all I could think of was how underrated being comfortable is.
We know new results are found on the other side of our comfort zone, but this momentary feeling of relief reminded me how equally important surrender is to allowing in new thinking, new connection and new awareness.
Surrender is something I've been practicing the last few months in my daily meditations, the physical sensation of it is wildly challenging to my controlling mind. But each time I surrender a little more to my higher self, my body unravels, my mind expands and I find more space, more love, more of me within.
Maybe this old armchair in my therapists office was my own manifestation, a physical match to the internal state I've been practicing with my eyes closed each morning.
We've all experienced this kind of feeling of deep softening - like in a long hot shower or bath when we have time just for ourselves. Our brain goes into a relaxed and open state and our body lets go the tension. These are micro-moments of surrender that leave us feeling fuller, more giving and thankful.
To awaken to the gifts of surrender, especially as intelligent, hard working leaders, we need to understand that surrender is not a passive state.
A long time ago my leadership style was all intention, surrender was for people not interested in winning or improving. This learned style got me some ticks in boxes but wasn't sustainable for me or my team.
Now, after doing the inner work for many years, through a variety of complex methodologies, and coaching for nearly two decades, I've discovered what builds people and results is a leader's discernment and mastery with the dance between intention and surrender.
Being a leader of the future, a conscious leader, is being one who influences and serves rather than drives people with authority. Service leadership is a bold, brave and powerful dance that requires courage and a vulnerability that allows openness.
- Knowing when to lead from the front or support from behind
- Knowing when to give an instruction or ask an insightful question
- Understanding when to have a direct accountability conversation or listen a little longer to build deeper trust.
Getting uncomfortable is something driven, successful women know they need to do to grow.
Getting comfortable is the greater challenge. Giving ourselves permission to take that pause moment, breathe deeply and listen to our own inner guidance.
