AWE: THE ESSENTIAL CREATIVE STRATEGY LEADERS AREN'T TALKING ABOUT

This article has been reposted from on plenteouslife.com.

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Have you ever:

• Stood mesmerized by the emerald and sapphire curtains of The Northern Lights as they dance across the Arctic sky?
• Marveled at the sound of new life in hearing the heartbeat of your unborn child for the first time?
• Bore witness to divine intervention—the miraculous—that has no logical explanation for occurring in the natural world?

Every conscious soul is designed to be amazed—astounded, gobsmacked, captivated, bewildered; to stand in awe.

Awe is the emotion we feel when we experience vast mysteries. What does that have to do with life mastery? Experiencing more awe is a little-known game-changer for how you move through life—it directly shapes how you create and lead. In today’s issue of The Grip, you’ll discover five benefits of awe for your personal & professional development and seven methods for intentionally cultivating more of it day to day.

Let’s dive in!

5 BENEFITS OF AWE FOR LEADERS

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." Albert Einstein

1. Enhances Creativity & Innovation

Awe shifts your perspective, helping you see possibilities and solutions that were previously hidden. This expansive thinking is critical for innovation in leadership and entrepreneurship, empowering you to take bold steps and disrupt industries.

2. Increases Resilience & Reduces the Stress Response

Awe fosters a sense of perspective, helping you stay grounded and bounce back faster when challenges arise. It helps lower cortisol levels and promotes a sense of calm, which is crucial for maintaining energy and avoiding burnout in high-pressure environments. This is true for both work and home.

3. Deepens Vision and Purpose

Awe connects you to something larger than yourself, strengthening your "why" and aligning your efforts with your long-term mission.

4. Increases Focus, Clarity, and Strategic Thinking

Awe quiets mental clutter, helping you focus on what truly matters. This clarity drives long-term, expansive thinking and execution.

5. Strengthens Team Culture

When you cultivate an environment of awe, it stirs awe in others. Sharing awe-inspiring experiences unites teams, increases empathy, and improves collaboration. Awe syncs people up with one another when they experience it together.

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7 METHODS FOR CULTIVATING AWE

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” Marcus Aurelius

When it comes to experiencing more awe in your life, take a lesson from surfing. Catching a wave doesn’t happen by chance. Surfers intentionally seek out target-rich environments—where waves frequently happen—to experience the ride.

Strategy: Surfers put themselves in the middle of the action.

Awe has target-rich environments as well. You are not limited to waiting on awe to randomly strike out of nowhere. Instead, you can strategically immerse yourself in the places and activities that frequently stir up awe for you.

From physical locations to specific practices, we’ve got seven methods for cultivating more awe in your life. Start by identifying one to utilize today:

1. Seek Out Natural Wonders

Spending time in nature—whether gazing at a mountain range, the ocean, or a starlit sky—provides a much-needed reset for your heart and mind. A gigantic redwood tree can stir your soul.

• Schedule time for outdoor activities like hiking, watching the sunrise, or stargazing.
• Even a walk in the park can do wonders.

2. Practice Mindful Observation

Slowing down to notice the extraordinary in the ordinary cultivates an awe-inspired mindset.

• Spend 5-10 minutes observing something with childlike curiosity, such as the intricate pattern of a leaf, a piece of art, or even the movement of clouds.
• Examine it as if you’ve never seen anything like it before.
• You can take this approach with people—even yourself—too.

3. Engage With Art, Music, & Awe-Inspiring Media

Experiencing powerful works of art or music connects you to deeper emotions and perspectives. Diving into videos, documentaries, books, and podcasts about incredible human achievement or the mysteries of the universe expands your thinking as you contemplate your place in the world.

• Attend live performances, explore art galleries, or listen to soul-stirring compositions that move you, such as epic film scores.
• Watch documentaries like Planet Earth or TED Talks on groundbreaking ideas.
• Set aside time to read books, articles and posts from thought-leaders about space, quantum physics, innovation, God, miracles, and extraordinary achievement.

4. Surround Yourself with Visionaries & Creators

Being in the presence of ambitious, forward-thinking individuals will inspire awe and push you to think bigger. Marveling at the scope of innovation, art, and exploration that has been achieved already can inspire you to create something impactful yourself.

• Attend conferences, mastermind groups, or networking events where you can connect with extraordinary people. Invest in mentorship.
• Visit museums, historic landmarks, or even delve into case studies of transformative leaders or businesses.

Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. -Marcus Aurelius

5. Travel to Unfamiliar Places

Experiencing new cultures, landscapes, and architecture opens your mind and fosters humility. Even discovering new places in your home city can spark awe-filled ideas.

• Make travel—both domestic and international—part of your personal or professional development budget.
• Invest in trips quarterly as well as annually.
• Explore new sites and businesses locally every week or month.

6. Commune with God

Connecting in stillness with your Creator breaks the cycle of constant problem-solving, decision-making, and striving by inviting your soul to rest and trust. Experiencing God’s presence reminds you that your life fits into a bigger, sacred narrative—an insight that can spark renewed inspiration, clarity, and purpose.

• Set aside 15-60 minutes a day to simply be with God; indoors or out in nature.
• Practice centering prayer.
• Meditate on scripture.
• Contemplate God’s goodness and faithfulness.

7. Keep a Journal of Awe

Reflecting on the beauty and blessings in your life helps you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the awe-inspiring moments around you.

• Write down three things daily that amazed or inspired you—big or small: a child’s laughter, a big breakthrough, or the way your body functions so intricately.
• As you acknowledge awe in your daily moments, you’ll find awe-stirring moments around you begin to multiply.
• Review your collection of awe-inspiring moments at the end of each week as you prepare for the week ahead.

Give yourself permission to be awed. And then architect your world to experience more of it every day. You are designed to be fueled by awe.

Keep creating!

May you prosper in every way ??

Becky & TPL Team