Alignment, Rhythms and the 4th Quarter

As I sit here in a local coffee shop, beginning to flesh out this month's newsletter, I'm noticing the early, improv-style jazz (almost a given in these places) playing in the background. And I'm struck by the odd rhythms that seem to permeate the piece.

Players seem to flow in and out of the music, effortlessly joining the prevailing rhythm or sometimes nudging the group towards theirs. And I'm reminded of one of my favorite words…

?Alignment

Alignment is one of the three elements of my?Effortless Creation Formula?(email me ?or DM if you'd like me to send you the whole?formula).??Alignment is about learning to flow with the energies of Life.?

?There are many different forms of alignment:

• Alignment of our words and our actions is called integrity.
• Alignment between members of a team is called teamwork.
• Alignment between head and heart might be called purpose.

?Without alignment, we feel like we're swimming against the current. We're not "reading the room" (whether it's an actual room or the room in our head!). We aren't using our precious energy effectively.

?The musician in the example above has two choices. They can join the rhythm already in progress or they can invite the group to follow a new one.

?For most of us, it's generally easier to go with the group; to adjust our rhythm to what's already in progress. And there's nothing wrong with that.

?But sometimes, as a leader, you may need to change the tune. How do you do that?

Well, you could just barge into the melody and take it over by force. By virtue of your authority, you can simply demand that the other members of the band conform to your rhythm. After all, you're the boss! But pushing your agenda this way may not be worth the chaos it causes.

How does the jazz musician do it? First, he joins the rhythm already in progress. By doing so, he's creating alignment and trust with the other players. With trust established, he can now begin to introduce his own "suggestions" into the tune.

So as we enter into the 4th quarter of 2022, ask yourself:

• What rhythms am I aligning with?
• Are those rhythms taking me where I want to go?

?Are you aligning with the complainers in your business or your family? The naysayers about the economy? The negative voice in your head?

?Or are you aligning with your vision? With the field of possibility?

These questions might be challenging if you've never done something like this before. Start slowly. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

#performancecoach #DrFredBlum #TheSelfRealizedLife

David Clayman, Ph.D. SJ Barakony John Russell Grace Lanni Alex Johnson Alexis C. Bell, MS, CFE Jutem Lee Pearce Chany Rosen Aseem Kishore Aaron Ellsworth EMILY MASRY

photo cred: Craig Adderley