The Power of Intention

"In the short run, earth shapes water. In the long run, water shapes earth." Jim Drescher, Nothing Missing Leadership

Only one week in and resistance is already showing up. Not surprised. In fact, knowing that its source is in the intention itself makes it easier to accept and return to my commitment. Wanting something to change means there is a gap between where I am and where I aim to be. It is, therefore, inevitable that there will be breakdowns, interruptions, and challenges as movement toward the intended future occurs. And while this knowledge may make it easier to accept, emotional reaction still arises when things are not as smooth as I would like. In being human, I know that experience is not unique. My inner critic is also pretty well honed and can get loud when I find myself off course. One intention is to pay less attention to that all-too-familiar voice this year.

Over the last several years, nature has been my greatest teacher. Hundreds of hikes, more swimming strokes than I care to recall, and many hours aimlessly wandering in contemplation of the forest have offered much clarity and sometimes deeper confusion. As much as I still don't like it when in them, the swamps of confusion often lead to the most important insights. Wisdom is gained in the breakdown, though only once I am able to move beyond the emotional reaction, return to the intention, and open to new possibilities.

Water represents the Heaven principle of infinite possibilities. Earth, in contrast, is the realm of practicality. Our work as leaders is to unite the two, to make the possible real and to accept the real without losing sight of what is possible. This is why having a clear vision and holding it are so important. Sometimes we need to adjust or change course. This is learning. However, nothing loses a team more quickly than having no idea where they are going. And nothing short-circuits intention more quickly than emotional reactivity and frustration about how we think things should be rather than openness to how they could be. It helps to expect resistance and it is essential to hold space for change. We need to allow for possibility instead of repeating the familiar past.

The mind is more like water and the body is more like earth. An intention for change requires reshaping both. Creating a vision is relatively easy. Holding course in the face of resistance much more challenging. Emotions like fear and anxiety can quickly cloud our view. This is why somatic leadership and embodied presence are so vital: we learn to self-regulate our energy and cultivate the elevated emotional states that align action in a way that is consistent with our intention. Resistance will show up in the short run. In the longer term, vision shapes reality, though only when we let ourselves be the change.

#watercourse #leadership #newground #intention #embodiment