Are you a striver?
As I walk into the Portland Japanese Museum, I notice a sign that reads:
“THIS PRESENT MOMENT.
“Pathways are winding and uneven to slow down your pace, and help you become immersed in the landscape. Paths beneath your feet may change, shift direction, or become more rustic. Allow them to lead you into this present moment.”
While the invitation is here, the curvy paths, the bumpy stones, the sunlit, peaceful day, I can’t help but notice the frenetic pace of many of the visitors, myself included.
With nothing in particular I need to do and nowhere I have to go, I begin my journey through what His Excellency Nobuo Matsunga, the former Ambassador of Japan to the United States, upon visiting the Portland Japanese Gardens proclaimed to be, “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.”
So here I am, in this gorgeous, unique place with my fellow humans, seemingly rushing to get to the next…plant? Pond? Why are we rushing and where are we rushing to? What are we striving to accomplish here…completing the stroll as soon as possible so we can get on to the next thing on our to-do list?
We seem to be striving to complete the journey without savoring the journey itself and everything it encompasses.
Isn’t that a metaphor for leadership and life?
There is this pace to life we are familiar with that seemingly makes it difficult for many of us to truly slow down, to stop the doing, the striving, the go, go, going. Even in this intentionally peaceful setting there is a noticeable energy that is out of alignment with its purpose.
Merriam Webster defines striving as, “to devote serious effort or energy.” Further, “strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.”
As leaders, it is easy to get caught up in striving. We often gain rewards from our efforts: the promotion, the raise, the accolades, the dopamine rush when we check a box off of our to-do list. We can go our whole careers and lives striving and end up at some end destination feeling like we we are completely out of alignment with who we are, clueless of what we really want, disappointed with how we impacted those around us and saddened that we didn’t bring more ease and intention to the journey so we could enjoy the ride and appreciate where we end up.
In the Japanese garden another nearby caution sign also captures my attention:
“Use Caution: Paths in the garden spaces can be uneven, narrow, and steep.”
You can become the leader you are destined to be and create the life you want with greater ease than you likely think possible. You were born to be successful, and to do it in alignment with who you uniquely are at your core. Like in the garden, your path may not always feel easy, at times it will likely be uneven, narrow, and steep, but you can choose to bring a conscious awareness to what you are creating and enjoy the path along your way.
Pause for a moment to reflect - what is one area in your life where you are striving? What is one baby step you can take today to create more ease as you enjoy your unique path?
Hi! I’m Nicole. I support high-performing executives & teams to become conscious leaders who create purposeful change. If you’d like some support to evolve into your next stage of leadership, schedule a complementary breakthrough session with me through this link or reach out to me at nicole@leadwithbliss.com. I look forward to helping you become the leader you have the power to be and to live the life you most want.
COMING SOON: Are you a senior woman leader in ad tech, ready to redefine how you lead for greater influence and impact? Stay tuned as I launch Conscious Leadership Cohorts for Senior Women Leaders in Ad Tech!
