Pivot - or how to manifest

Have you ever noticed that the word “manifest” contains the word “mani”, meaning hands in Latin? A friend once pointed that out to me, and I think it goes to show the active part that we play when we are manifesting.

This is a part that many teachers do not focus on.?

Possibly because it's where we get stuck. When we act, we often come from a place of control. From a place of thinking and logic. Because of that we are hampering our own efforts, as we are not open to new ways of doing things and so often overlook these.?

Today, I want to share with you a story of manifesting that might seem trivial at first glance; but I think it explains my point with a little bit of cheek and humour.?

On the weekend I decided it was time and beyond that the sleeping sofa in the snug on the first floor should move downstairs into the front parlour. I live in a 17th century Cottage and I’m sure you can imagine the tight stairs and awkward angle to navigate. Most people, I am sure, would have invited friends around and recreated the Friends episode on the pivot. But I’m happier to do things on my own. And seeing I had moved the thing upstairs over three years ago I thought I stood a very good chance along the lines of “what comes up must go down”.?

I thought it should be an easy fix of about 15 minutes. Spoiler alert, it took me one and a half hours and a lot of sweat and swearing. The reason it took so long is that I exercised not only my body, but also my brain. I kept trying to think of the best angle, the best way around, the best pivot; trying to get unstuck.

And, of course, the more I tried, the more I got stuck.?

It came to the point where I wanted to give up. After all, the sofa could stay where it was and I could get some other things done. And I wasn't sure how much strength I had left to move it. A question came to me then: What else can I do to get this sofa downstairs? And within seconds. I had it in a position where it quite naturally flowed down the stairs.?

It got stuck again a little bit. And I asked again. What now? And the answer came immediately. So, I moved the sofa with really quite little effort. It took strength - yes. But no mental logic whatsoever. Just pure prayer: asking God (or the universe) and receiving the answer.?

And being open to the solution, not insisting that I knew the right way to do this, and to get this done, but opening up and surrendering to the power beyond. That might sound very strange, but it actually does work. Not only for moving a sofa.?

Moving a sofa is tangible and you might say this story has nothing to do with manifesting. However, the whole time I was thinking about the outcome: I wanted to see the sofa downstairs, wanted the dogs to be able to jump on it when I'm gone for the day.

And I wanted the snug to be more of a library and to have better access to my books. So there were good reasons. There was very strong motivation. This image of how it would all look once I was done kept me focussed.??

It allowed me to open up and ask questions.

When we ask questions, we immediately become open and don't get stuck because we don’t try to control an outcome.

This is super important in all areas of life.?

For example, if you're stuck with a work project, can you ask a question? Can you just sit back and close your eyes for a minute? Just ask, “what can I do now? What is the solution to this? What is one little thing I can shift to make some progress?” And let the answers come to you.?

As a coach, what I do is ask those questions and provide that safe space for you to find your own answers. Listening to what you say and mirroring that back to you so that you can hear yourself speak.?

Sometimes it might be enough for you to hear the words being said out loud; but very often we don't have anybody to speak to. Especially about the big decision or in work situations - it might just be inappropriate to share your thoughts with team members or family. Either because it’s company confidential or because you don’t want anyone to see that you are struggling with decisions.?

Executive coaching is that independent support from a companion who wants to see you succeed. It helps you to get unstuck.?

So, if you ever wedge your sofa in the hallway, I will be there to ask you the questions and help you to get out. I might even lend a hand :)?

If you’d like to have a conversation about coaching my door is always open and I’d love to hear from you.