Stand strong and face the wind

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/01/2017 (3278 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I recently read about trees growing in the windless bubble called Biosphere 2. The idea is that, by removing external challenges such as wind, the trees would grow faster than those left in the elements.

As I read, I got to thinking about the weeks ahead in this new year. Many of us will face challenges and many of us will find a way over, under, around or through them. Sadly, though, many of us will topple under these challenges. What may be temporary blocks for some could cause others to fall over.

In Biosphere 2, scientists were excited about growing trees in the windless bubble. The trees grew several times faster than those exposed to the elements, and the scientists were ecstatic — until the trees suddenly toppled over under their own weight.

This is what happens to many people, as well — they collapse under burdens of their own creation.
I know people living with a sense of righteous indignation. They carry previous hurts and disappointments wherever they go. They spend each day in the equivalent of their own windless bubbles, nursing these hurts. They expend value energy pondering who insulted them, who embarrassed them, being envious of others and so on and so on. After a while, they inevitably collapse under the weight of these self-created and self-perpetuated burdens.

A client recently shared with me his struggle with procrastination. He believed the opposition he receives from his reporting manager and colleagues was the reason he wasn’t taking action. He was convinced that if could only get his work colleagues out of his way he would stop procrastinating.

I shared the story of the windless bubble and its impact on the trees, and he quickly realized that opposition was the challenge necessary for him to grow strong roots to reach the heights he desired.
That was the conclusion reached by the scientists. They realized the important role the elements play in supporting trees to grow strong roots before achieving their maximum heights.

As you move into this year, check any burdens you might have carried over from 2016. View each challenge that comes your way as one designed to help keep you rooted.

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis is a director and executive coach at Ultimate Potentials. Contact her at living@ultimatepotentials.com