I used to solve problems by thinking. I come from a family of brainiacs and this is The Family Way.
Think really really hard and you’ll solve the problem. 

The challenge with this method is that thinking isn’t the ideal way to solve our vexing or interesting problems. THOSE problems are invitations to expand or up level. Our minds aren’t key resources for expansion strategies. 

The other day I had a full head of thoughts—it had been a super dense day for me personally. I wanted to keep thinking about the problems, but intuitively I knew that I needed to distance myself from thought to actually uncover solutions. I went for a walk. 

5 miles in my energy lightened. A whisper of intuition came to me, like a quick tiny breeze. It was, as intuition always is, a surprising thought. It was helpful. I felt a shift. It was the weirdest feeling. I swear I felt my ego let go! In the moment I had a tiny ‘aha’ feeling like oh yes, that’s right..this is how we’re meant to seek guidance. 

Approaching problems with neutrality is not easy when they feel burdensome, expensive, vulnerable or scary. But I’ve found that even the toughest ones are solvable when I combine practical neutrality and energetics. 

Is the problem I am working on really the problem that needs solving? Or is it possible that I am punishing myself in the problem by not seeking perspective or help. 

Often the problem is smaller and simpler than I thought it was. This idea is supported by the work of John Doerr, whose amazing book Measure What Matters is a must read. 

Am I overfunctioning? Stuck in density? Being stubborn in my thinking? If I get any yesses, a 5 mile walk or a talk with a mentor might be a prudent move. 

Asking for help beyond the rational is a method I have used for decades, and it’s been so reliable that I made it into a workbook that is the current pop-up on my site. We are reworking the site pages and taking that opt-in down soon. I was feeling self conscious about that pop up. Like we’ve all outgrown the teachings in it.

But the teachings are sound. The longer I am in business, the more I understand that effective business strategy honors what are called, in yoga, the two wings of the bird: self effort and grace. Grace must be invited in. It is beyond thought, beyond ego. And it often has the exact answer I need. 

Coaching is the fastest path to a fresh new level. Always, 100% of the time. We are wired to work together and a coaching relationship is uniquely powerfully focused on YOU. Lean in this summer. Start with The Intensive.