Break the Trance
A client recently asked me to develop a series of 10 minute Ted Talk-like presentations to be shared over a six month period with several hundred leaders from throughout their organization.
I love that assignment, and I really love the theme of the series: creating positive mindset shifts to better navigate sustained periods of change and uncertainty.
It's such an important theme because our nervous systems were not built to handle the increased load we've all been experiencing. As a result, our natural resilience - the ability to bounce back and bounce forward - goes offline multiple times a day. Have you ever left your iPhone in the sun for too long? If you have you've probably seen the message that says, “iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it.” Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of displaying a similar message.
In this overheated state we are more likely to focus on what’s wrong or what’s missing. The result: a loss of perspective, and the fall into the trance of overwhelm with a belief that “nothing will change.”
The series references many of the things that pull us into trance, including our Insane Thought Generator, score-carding, making tough decisions, and difficulty letting go. Each presentation includes practices participants can put into action immediately to break the trance and return to a state where positive action is possible.
Here's one of the practices I'll be sharing: five actions to choose from when you're in the trance of holding on too tight, and you're ready to loosen your grip. Each action corresponds to a letter in LET GO, so they're easy to remember:
L - Listen to your body.
It's tough to hold onto something in our mind AND check in with our body at the same time. One of my favorite techniques to drop into my body? Observing the inhale and exhale of my breath, counting off each up to the number 10.
E - Exchange the future for the present.
Often what we're holding onto is a desire for something that may (or may not) occur in the future. Exchanging a future unknown for something that IS known in the present is a great way to redirect your attention.
T - Think about how important it really is.
The author of my favorite recovery story in the book Alcoholics Anonymous writes, "I have to ask myself how important is it, really? How important is it compared to my serenity, my emotional sobriety?" My ego HATES that question. It would rather protect and defend a position -- even at the risk of impacting my serenity.
G - Get some gratitude.
Write down three things you're grateful for, along with the actions you'll take to express that gratitude. For example, if you’re grateful for a specific person – let’s say a spouse, a friend, or a colleague – write why you’re grateful for them on a Post-it note – and then leave the note it in a place they’ll find it (or snap a pic and text it).
O - Open to more options.
Our field of vision dramatically contracts when we're holding on too tight. By hitting pause and pulling up, we can determine if there are additional options to consider.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes, "Make a habit irresistible." The way to make letting go irresistible is to recognize the space it will free up in your personal CPU. With that space comes perspective, and that's where the magic happens.
If you're looking to reimagine leadership meetings, just click here and we'll set up a time to talk. I'd love to share the creative things I've been helping clients with!