Are you here to CREATE or REACT?

I'm sure you've experiences a huge array of emotions over the past week.

Me too!

I'm also assuming you've seen enough of the news - and I don't think there's anything new I can bring into this conversation anyways.

That said, there's something I want to share with you cool cats out there wanting to build something new. If you're anything like me, you'll like this!

The following has really helped me through some of the rough patches I've experienced in my private and professional life (if you listen to my podcast Good Vibes Only, episode 53 in particular, you know I've run into a few of those last year…). This is also something I actively use with my clients to help them grow and expand.

It all starts with this simple notion coined by Albert Einstein:

 You cannot solve a problem where you created it from.

 And let me add to that: 

I doubt anything new, amazing or innovative has been created when the inventor has been stressed, afraid, anxious, or even raging. Quite the contrary.

So what does this mean to you and me (not wanting to not deny what's going on), keen to build bridges for the future?

Sorry to be spitting famous phrases but the change we wish to see really starts with us.

We must start INSIDE us to change the EXTERNAL.

With our emotions and feelings to be precise. 

I see emotions as a vertical scale - at the bottom you have hate, despair, shame, anger and as you move up, you start to experience feelings of joy, gratitude, love and peace. 

Moving up the scale, therefore, is the starting point.

As we start to feel better, we start to think better. Now we are not 'there' anymore but we are 'here', seeing a different world. We've changed. When we change inside, the outside changes. This gives us the opportunity to think anew, come up with things we didn't realise when we were 'down there'. 

One but… I have had some sensations that the emotions of joy, fun, hope and love are almost not 'allowed' in this time. How crazy a thought is that?! 

Because you know what, for us, both as individuals and as a collective, this really is the time when we need more of those high scale feelings than ever - simply because to have created a better world when we come out of this experience depends how well we can innovate, be creative and think outside the box. (Plus feeling good in general gives us a more happy life right?!)

Therefore, start with yourself. Give space to good feeling emotions and when you're 'there', work FROM these emotions and see how things start to change.

And if you don't know where to start, let me give you a tip - this is where I often start with my clients:

Come up with 20 things that make you happy. It can be anything. (20 because 10 is too easy!). Get some inspo from one of my clients from the image, nice-looking list!

Sounds simple but take the challenge and DO these things. Practical application matters here. We are what we do daily. 

?We need more love and hope now than ever. We also need more new, out of the box thinking than ever. You matter. Each one of us matters.

How are you going to contribute building the new?

X Anna

Ps. If you want further support, I'm setting up a temporary Leadership Circle that commences Monday 23 March.

For the 4 upcoming Mondays we will discuss this new paradigm, how we can choose our response and what we, as individuals, can do. If you're feeling lost, this is your hour to get your power back, reflect with others, hang out in some good vibes and get some tangible support for navigating everyday life. 

The deep-seated purpose of this circle to be of inspiration, work on our growth mindset, build character while not forgetting practical implementation to initiate change right away. You could also see this Circle as a test for future challenges very similar to what we're experiencing now - are you here to create or react?

This circle is donation-based and you can read more here: https://www.annakuusela.com/offers/JtJL2cMs/checkout

I'd love to have you.