Go with the flow.

Going with the flow is a timeless wisdom and has gained acceptance in this fast-paced, changing world we live in. This ancient concept, based on the teachings of Lao Tzu, offers a strong antidote to the stress and anxiety that seeps into our lives. Recently a friend of mine reminded me to “just go with the flow.” Has anyone said that to you recently?

Lao Tzu, a legendary Chinese philosopher believed to have lived in the sixth century BC, introduced this idea of “wu wei” or “non-action” and this idea does not advocate for passivity, but rather for aligning ourselves to the natural course of events. Or what he called Tao, “the Way.”

We find ourselves today in constant overload, connectivity 24/7 and a relentless need to achieve. Tzu’s idea is refreshing, and many have begun to adopt this way of living by finding peace in turning off the news, taking walks in nature, visiting an art gallery or simply putting family time first. Several of my current clients have done just that. I know it has been effective in their energy, creativity, and resilience as they face career challenges.? It reinforces their desire to find harmony and flow amidst difficulty.

Go with the flow, allows us to let go of our ego, welcome change, and find the best moments in simple actions. Imagine sitting in a lovely space with the drapes flowing in the breeze - feeling the air on your skin. Sometimes the best action is non-action rather than forcing that sense of doing rather than being.

I find it helpful to remind myself about following some of these steps:

Embrace simplicity?– I feel better when I declutter my space and create a calm office environment.

Focus on priority?– What matters most? Let go of unnecessary things that are distractions or commitments that are less important.

Practice mindfulness?– Leadership experts are teaching and incorporating mindfulness into their self-development practices. Jeremy Hunter, good friend, and Professor at the Peter F. Drucker sand Masatoshi Graduate School of Management taught me years ago about mindfulness and the importance of intention versus attention in our daily life.

Connect with nature?– Try leaving your cell phone at home and take a walk so that you can tune into sounds, smells and sights offering a connection to nature when you need it the most.

Listen actively?– Practice fully engaged listening and communicate with empathy so that you can build mutually satisfying relationships with others. A new connection fuels the soul.

The wisdom of “going with the flow” offers a path to greater resilience. Sometimes, the key to overcoming obstacles is not to fight harder or re-think something over and over in your mind, but to flow more smoothly in life. Make room to reconsider your perspective and embrace balance, breathing and simplicity into your life. I know that might sound easy and it is not, yet taking a small step may offer a delightful surprise of calm.

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