A few years back, I was in a yoga class. And the instructor said something to me that has stuck with me ever since. She explained that we should only push our poses to about 80% of what we thought we could handle. And by doing that, over time, we would have a stronger practice and achieve more. 

Have you ever tried that?

“What do you think I should do?”, he asked. I was in a conversation with one of my direct reports. Only once he had evaluated what had already taken place was he able to see clearly what options he wanted to consider next. 

Have you ever noticed this?

It was a stressful time. We were in our fourth quarter, under pressure to close the year strong and hit our metrics, and deep in planning for the next fiscal year. Much of our leadership was deep in planning meetings, or preparing for planning meetings. Everyone was saying, “we just need to get through this month.”

Have you ever felt that way?

This past summer, I spent 3 weeks in the Republic of Georgia with a travel group of about a dozen people. It was an absolutely incredible experience. 

During our travels, we quickly developed a tradition at meals that I loved. After the food had arrived, before we began eating, we held up our plates and simply said, in unison, “We are grateful.” 

I was making the leap and had accepted a new role. I knew it was a “towards” decision - I was moving towards work and a team that inspired me. I also knew that I couldn’t go back. I was closing the door on a chapter of my career. Even so, I was struggling through the transition. Did I make the right choice? How was it all going to work out? Would I regret stepping away from my old role? Could I “hack it” in the new one? 

And so I kept saying “I want to know it will all work out.”

Do you ever feel this way?

“I just don’t get it, Christina.” My friend was sharing a challenge he was facing with one of his consulting clients. He was genuinely puzzled at this behavior - why would his consulting client’s actions be so different from their words?

Have you ever observed this kind of obvious conflict in someone else?

My teammates and I looked at each other with big eyes. I could tell they were thinking what I was thinking. Our stakeholder wanted too much. The ask was too big. There was no way it could be done, at least not in the timeframe she was expecting. 

Have you ever felt this way?

“Wait, why do you do that?” Thankfully, I kept this thought to myself as my new teammate was sharing the team’s schedule.

Have you ever found yourself doing something in a way that made sense in the past, but doesn’t anymore?

Suddenly, we hear a crash and he starts crying. That’s when my very wise young niece observed, “that kid didn’t make a good choice.” My mom and I exchanged knowing glances over her head. She spoke the truth, in a way that only young kids do. 

Have you ever seen someone speak the truth like this? 

I was in middle school, and a few of us in my youth group were talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up. This particular girl was sharing her dream, and she had the whole plan mapped out. I was flabbergasted. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, much less the path to take to get there. 

Have you ever felt this way?

My head was full at the end of every day, swimming with how much I needed to to learn about our product and the organization I had just joined. I felt two steps behind everyone around me. How do they know so much? Why is it all so easy for them? 

Have you ever felt this way?

“I need to leave my job.” I was finally admitting to my family what I had known in my heart for a while. I knew what I needed to do, but it took me a while to admit it. Especially out loud. 

Have you ever felt this way?

“How’s it coming along?” “Slow,” I said. “Sometimes it feels like I need to squint my eyes and tilt my head to see any progress at all.”

Have you ever felt this way?

I didn’t know what to do. It felt like a monumental decision. I was torn. Do I stay or do I go? Do I pivot or persevere?

Have you ever felt this way? 

Things had been simmering for a while. A few especially challenging work situations, coupled with some personal circumstances led Walter to believe it couldn’t get any worse. And then it did. Several things hit all at once, and Walter knew he couldn’t let things keep going this way. He needed help. 

Have you ever felt this way? 

Fall is in the air. Here in Colorado, we’re already seeing hints of fall color on some of the trees. The high country is showing early signs of the vibrant gold that will cover the aspen trees. For me, the fall always brings a sense of renewal and refocus.

Do you feel this way, too?

I love roasted broccoli. My young niece, on the other hand, wasn’t convinced. She tried to exert control over the situation - make a face, complain, or resist. Until I gave her a little agency in the situation.

Has this ever happened to you?

Do you ever get caught up with all the nuances and criteria that could play into a big decision? 

Your head swimming by all the different things you could factor into your choice…the “what if this” and “what if that” questions? 

My mom suggested that I try Tae Kwon Do. I wasn’t sure what to make of this. It was so different from anything I thought I would be interested in, but someone who knew me well was suggesting that this might be a good thing for me. 

Has this ever happened to you?

“I still haven’t made progress”, I thought to myself. In this particular planning session, I was bemoaning the fact that “craft room” was still on the list. It had been on the list for weeks, but I hadn’t made any progress. So I needed to add it to the list yet again. 

Can you relate?