Food for Thought No. 13
Being Still, Releasing Fear, Setting Intentions, and Gamechanger Sessions Are Back!
Welcome to Food for Thought No. 13. Yes, it feels like a 13 kind of newsletter - A strange and slow start to 2022. GC's 3-2-1 newsletter usually comes with 3 ideas to explore, 2 things to read/watch/listen to, and 1 question for you.
Today’s newsletter is about the benefits of being still, releasing fear/anxiety, setting intentions, and my joyful exuberance that Gamechanger Sessions are back starting this Thursday with Roger Martin.
I. Explore
1. Stillness & Expectations
As I sat in stillness, and my mind quietened, I began to feel the heavy buzz and weight of fear, anxiety, and restriction that I was sitting in. It was hard to sit and be still. Being in my skin and energy was not pleasant. It felt uncomfortable, tense and agitating. The more I sat, the more I could feel just how much weight I was carrying. I knew I was not alone in this feeling.
As we come to terms with the start of this new year 2022, I only recently put my finger on what was exacerbating this tense and uncomfortable feeling. Covid is not new but our culture tells us that new years are times for resetting, intention setting, releasing the old and yet for most of Jan we have found ourselves with the polar opposite external circumstances - More covid, more restrictions, more fears, more of the same, more lockdowns, more time with kids unhappy to without any social contact and at home. The delta between my expectation of the new year and my reality is what made me (and perhaps many of us) so tense. We were back to a fearful surviving/scarcity mindset at the exact moment “culture” typically gives us permission to not be in that mode.
What amazed me was how upon noticing this tenseness and being in stillness, I was able to release this energetic anxiety that was weighing me down. This is the power of stillness, reflection and mindfulness.
2. Releasing Fear & Anxiety
For me, to release fear and anxiety is to unwaveringly accept that there is so much that is not in my control. It’s to let down the resistance without losing my discernment and motivation to do all that IS in my control. It’s to remind myself that we live in a complex and chaotic system where intentions do not always equal impact. It’s to embrace that my energy (not intentionally always) impacts my reality and especially as a leader and mom, the realities of many other people. It’s to accept the reality of circumstances and recognize that taking risk, being in acceptance, and using discernment are able to coexist.
Releasing fear is not (only) an intellectual exercise. It is a reminder that my body and mind are deeply connected. I feel fear and anxiety in my body and finding ways through stillness, yoga, exercise and being in nature allow me to connect to this felt sense, to go through it and then to release it.
3. Setting One Word Intentions
I have written about this practise in previous years, and it doesn’t cease to amaze me just how powerful this tiny practise can be. Setting a 1 word intention is different than writing resolutions, or setting goals. Setting an intention is to invite more of a feeling or emotion that you are lacking/ wanting into your life. It again, requires stillness to get clear on what will serve you most.
My word this year is JOY. Why JOY?
JOY is a choice.
JOY can sound frivolous and unnecessary (which made me less excited about choosing it) until I realized that JOY is actually different than PLEASURE. JOY (for me) is achieved through CONNECTION, GROWTH, PRESENCE, PURPOSE, PASSION, ABUNDANCE, and GRATITUDE. In fact, JOY can be found in the hardest of circumstances and most challenging of times if I choose to learn, grow and embrace that life is not always easy but can still be JOYful.
JOY is a reminder for me to…
1)Be present with the very people and communities I care about and love
2)To seek out experiences and humans that bring me JOY
3)JOY is sometimes an invitation to just BE vs. to DO (hard for alpha like me!)
4)Sometimes a reminder of why I am DOING vs. BEING
5)To be IN the journey, not only expecting / allowing myself to feel joy with the outcome
6)To create a family culture and a work culture that embraces JOY and makes people feel connected to each other, our PURPOSE and to our growth
7)To be in gratitude which is when I feel my most JOYFUL
And last…
8)To sit in stillness, till I understand what is getting in the way of my JOY, and to resolve that which is in my control
II. WATCH / LISTEN
Gamechanger Sessions are Back!
Speaking of JOY, I am delighted to announce that Gamechanger Sessions are back starting this Thursday at noon 12PM EST (2 days from now!)
Our season is starting with an all time favourite mentor and thinker of mine - Roger Martin. Roger L. Martin - strategy icon, the world’s #1 management thinker, renowned author, and former University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management Dean. Roger has chosen disco.co/rogermartin as the platform to build his live learning empire with.
In our session on Thurday, Roger will be talking about the themes and ideas in his upcoming course he is launching with Disco called “Create a Winning Strategy in 2022?” In this course, Roger is combining his best thinking for a first ever virtual, live and highly interactive learning experience designed for a very select group of CEOs, business leaders, and strategists. Creating Your Winning Strategy for 2022.
Roger taught me how to think. His work transformed my mental models and his books Playing to Win, The Design of Business, Creating Great Choices and More is Not Better are exceptional. I started my career at Monitor Deloitte (where Roger was Co-Head) and am still in awe of the power of his frameworks.
I have been blown away by the demand and warm reception to the new "Roger Martin School of Business" on Disco. His first course starts Feb 1, 2022 (sadly very few / no spots left) but delighted that due to the overwhelming positive response, we are now opening a second cohort for May. 👉👉 Disco.co/RogerMartin
2. Chatter that Matters
On Dec 31, Tony Chapman, Host of the RBC series, interviewed me. Chatter that Matters is a wonderful series that is highly complementary to our Gamechanger series. Tony is a kindred spirit who is just as passionate about the human condition and lifelong learning as I am.
My interview is an honest and vulnerable chat where I share some of the bigger experiences that have shaped my journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Tony is an exceptional host. My episode is here if you want to take a listen.
III. Reflective Question(s)
I couldn’t just ask one… 😊
How Can You Be Still (even for an hour this week?)
What Fears/ Anxieties do YOU Need to Release?
What Is Your One Word Intention for 2022?
What Brings You Joy?
I would ❤️ to hear your answers - leave a comment or tweet them to me @candicedisco on twitter.
Have a wonderful rest of your week! And hope to see you Thursday!