“My name is Shannon, and I’ll be your guide for this time on your mat.”
As the doors close, we find our breath and heartbeat. With lights dimmed and calming music, our yoga instructor moves us through the practice, from one posture to another, from the less challenging to more challenging poses.
“Each posture provides an opportunity to improve balance, strength, or flexibility,” she teaches.
“What’s your intention for today?”
I’m a Yoga Beginner in pursuit of flexibility.
After the hour has slipped away, I introduce myself and say, “Thank you, Shannon, for all you do to make this class possible.”
Encouraged by the experience, I continue, “Clearly, you care and have a calling to help people to discover the benefits of yoga. I like the space you created for us today. By the way, you never know who is in your class; I need this. Thanks for your commitment and all you do.”
The gratitude and connection visibly move her.
The celebration of Shannon was a brief conversation with lasting effects.
2020: THE YEAR OF CELEBRATION
In my previous post, I ask, “How Committed Are You to Celebration?”
To make this The Year of Celebration means I will recognize and honor noteworthy progress in the Story.
Four components bring structure to celebration:
- RECOGNIZE — to celebrate requires paying attention so you can acknowledge the people and the existence of incremental wins. When you are in pursuit of performance improvement, support is essential.
- HONOR — in the scope of changing behavior, you have an opportunity and obligation to respect the compound effect of consistent “baby steps.”
- CLARITY — setting expectations and having agreement regarding desired outcomes are required to establish what is noteworthy, important, impressive, or a significant effort.
- PROGRESS — behaviors, actions, and habits that indicate you’re making headway provide energy and encouragement towards the ultimate victory. The objective is to keep moving forward.
The celebration is more natural when you remember you’re writing a Story with many chapters. The objective is a pursuit of progress, not unattainable perfection. You are writing the story with others.
CREATE SPACE TO THINK
In the Next Level Journey, I coach around this idea of a Spacious Place. You have found your Spacious Place when you are living with purpose and passion while seeing and serving others. Shannon is in her Spacious Place as a Yoga teacher. It was my opportunity to celebrate her.
So, who do you see? Where is Shannon in your story?
Who will you recognize and honor for the noteworthy progress (contribution) they are making in the Story?
2020: The Year of Celebration
Celebrating you for caring about the people,
Steve
Transform disruption into clarity for life and work!
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Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash