Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. – Rainer Maria Rilke
Where I live, it's spring. Or I should I say, Spring, finally.
One of the things I appreciate about living in a place where winter can be loooong (like it was this year) is that when spring comes, it arrives! A fling the door open, look-out-world-I-am-here, kind of arriving! Taa-dah!
Beyond appreciating the sheer gorgeousness of the season, the natural world provides a lot of cues for us as humans and leaders about personal and organizational change that we can learn from:
1) Change is inevitable. No matter how long it's been in coming, change will arrive. It's guaranteed.
2) You don't have to overwork to make change happen. Without thinking, planning, worrying or scheming, change arrives. No big production necessary.
3) It's not personal. No matter how you feel about change, it's not about you. Change will arrive on its own timetable.
Noticing, attending to and working with rather than against the natural cycles and seasons of your work and life can be helpful not only in times of change, but also in finding a sense of balance, groundedness and calm in daily life.
To apply these lessons in your own life, at work and at home, try this:
1) Be clear about the changes that you want to affect, both on the personal and organizational, large and small scale. Write your vision out for what you'd like things to look like. The actual change that happens may differ from your vision in the end, but being clear about your ideal is the first step.
2) Stop and notice what is changing. Look for ways that the changes you want are actually happening, through journaling, short appreciations or gratitudes at the end of your work day or before bed. Tracking small changes can help see the larger patterns.
3) Rather than overworking or taking it personally, step back, take a breath and look for the longer view: what bigger systems or forces are at play in this change? Rather than feeling victimized or overwhelmed, what is the piece of the change that you can impact?
In the Comments below, it's your turn! Tell me:
– Which one of these lessons and applications is most helpful to you in your daily life?
– How do you work with, instead of against, natural forces in change?
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Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
I appreciated all three lessons. I think I’ve modeled after others who probably pushed hard and “pushed the river” so to speak. The “big production” which has translated to alot of “work” and less “joy” has been a pattern I learned.
I like your statement “Rather than feeling victimized and overwhelmed what is the piece of change that I can impact?”
Allowing what is and staying in the moment and then asking what is needed has been helpful. Sometimes what is needed is just being present and the answer comes from the group. I don’t have to have all the answers or the quickest answers.
Julie, thanks for so much commenting and sharing your insight! “Pushing the river” as you say is often the approach we take in change – with the results you so clearly articulate!
I love what you say about being present and allowing the answer to emerge. I’m always struck by the inherent wisdom of systems, if we allow them to speak.
Thanks for speaking up here! : )