As people and events start to wake up from winter, my coaching clients seem motivated to do the same thing.
 |
While I don’t have any real data, my intuition tells me that that this is a great opportunity to really listen for the first appearance of the spring growth in my coaching conversations and to follow with the questionsthat encourage the opportunities.I’m sure that everybody has some ways to get a clean break from their winter mentality, but here are some of mine.
Six keys that work to create that springtime green: |
- Do Something Creative. Most of us don’t deliberately think about doing something creative, so take an end of winter break to try something a little different. CREATE is an awesome word. While the result may not be what you want, you cannot fail at the process of creativity. Creativity is calling for you, and you can answer with just a small investment.
- Be in the Season. Stephen Covey wrote about the “Law of the Farm.” You can’t hurry the seasons and you need to do what the season demands. You plant in the spring, weed in the summer, harvest in the fall, and let the land set in the winter. If you live in the Northeast, right now you are experiencing mud season. There is nothing you can do about it. It’s a seasonal thing. What is your season demanding?
- Run Away. Why not? Will the world end if you take three hours to hide in a movie theatre to wear strange glasses and watch something in 3-D?
Write a Love Letter. It’s been a month since Valentine’s Day. Who do you know that would appreciate a love letter? Write, give it, and don’t expect anything back. I guarantee that your step will be a little springier for that day. - Make Waffles for Breakfast. I don’t know what this has to do with the season, but my wife asked me for waffles in the morning and I came across a blog post with a waffle recipe. Coincidence? I think not.
- Wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. If you don’t, the leprechaun’s will get you.
In short, most of my coaching clients are feeling the season change and haven’t put a mental shape on it yet.
Frivolity helps.
Make a decision that you are breaking out of your winter doldrums and, once the decision is made, you will be ready to leap forward once again.
We’d love to hear your reactions. Share in the comments what the changing of the season prompts you to do?