In the fast-paced world of today, the drive to explore new horizons and the excitement that comes with it can be a powerful force for career and business advancement. When fuelled by restless curiosity and high expectations, the pursuit of new experiences not only keeps us healthy and alert but also contributes to personal and professional growth. This constant need for change and progress is essential for those who thrive on the sheer exhilaration of exploring the unknown. For some of us though, this can be scary as our fears can talk us into or out of experiences that are not necessarily for us.
There is no growth without Friction: Each new experience introduces us to different perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking. This broadens our understanding and enables us to approach problems and opportunities with a fresh mindset. Even so, growth most often begins with the friction of something needing to change. A seed cannot escape its outer shell to grow without breaking its exterior. Friction can be highly creative and innovative as we struggle to work through different perspectives.
Friction leads to Crisis: Both of these traits are in the Emotional Intelligence function as the energy of emotions drives us forward, making progress. This is the hero's journey storyline. There is something that causes friction that leads to a crisis and it is through overcoming the crisis that true growth happens helping us making progress.
My own story is an example of how friction led to crisis and by working through the crisis, progress and growth happen! A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. I had a great job that I enjoyed but I could also feel the restless curiosity wondering what else was out there. I could feel a change coming but was terrified to make a move. I had only 10 more years to retirement and wasn't sure I was ready to start all over somewhere else. As my workload intensified, constantly being asked to do more with less, the stress was taking a toll.
I was caught up in my shadows and fears trying to figure out in my head what I should do. I felt paralyzed. Then change happened to me and was out of my control. I was swept up in an organizational change that I didn't see coming. I felt rudderless as I attempted to hold on to what me and my team had built over the past 10 years as it was systematically disassembled without any warning.
The process took about two years and was death by a thousand cuts. It knocked me flat on my back and although they had wanted me to stay, I could no longer feel part of the team. All of my autonamy had been taken from me and I was lost. I faced a physical, mental and emotional burnout that took me two years to recover from.
It was in that recovery that I found my strengths. It was the most humbling experience I've been through as I faced my fears and shadows. Then I found the BG5® System and started to understand how I could have made better decisions for myself that would protect my health. Learning my Career Type and decision-making strategy has led to a much fuller and less stressful life. Understanding how my shadows distracted me from living fully as myself was life changing.
While the hunger for new experiences is a powerful motivator, it is essential to channel this energy constructively. Our decision-making strategy is there to protect our energy - to ensure we are committing our time and energy to something that we are passionate about or feel good about. Before committing to anything:
Understand how your energy works: When you know your Career Type, you have built in knowledge of how your energy works. Is it consistently available to you (70% of us are Builders)? Or is your energy inconsistent and therefore not reliable (the other 30% of types)? Learning how to manage your energy so it regenerates is key to not burning yourself out.
Avoid Reactive Decisions: Resist the temptation to seek new experiences solely to escape boredom or discomfort. Our mind through our shadows can easily convince us to do something that is not in our best interest. In stressful situations, we can freeze, flee, fight or fawn our way out to try to dissipate uncomfortable feelings. These are natural responses to stress but if you can relax, breathe and wait for a clear grounded signal you can avoid reacting from fears or shadows.
Allow your body to guide you: Before diving into a new experience, pay attention to how your body feels about it. Our decision-making strategies are in our body intelligence. While the mind can help us gather information and make sense of it, it is the worst place to make a decision as this is where our fears and shadows talk us into or out of things. There are more neurons in our heart and stomach that in our brain. Trust that your gut, heart, intuition and even your own voice has something wise to tell you. If you can withstand that restless, frantic energy long enough for you to relax and listen a bit deeper, you'll hear your body wisdom from a more settled place and it will guide you to what is best for you.
When we enter new experiences with an open mind and remain objective observers, we gain valuable wisdom. This wisdom, born from diverse experiences, carries the potential to inspire and influence others. By sharing our insights, we can:
Guide and Mentor: Our experiential knowledge allows us to guide others more effectively. We can offer practical advice and mentorship based on a wide range of scenarios we have encountered.
Build Stronger Teams: In a business setting, leaders who prioritize new experiences can foster a culture of continuous learning. This helps in building resilient teams that are adaptable and equipped to handle change.
Drive Organizational Growth: Companies that embrace a culture of curiosity and exploration are more likely to innovate and stay competitive. Encouraging employees to seek out new experiences can lead to breakthrough ideas and sustained growth.
Restless curiosity and the desire for new experiences are powerful drivers of progress in our careers and businesses. By embracing this mindset, we can continuously learn, innovate, and inspire those around us. The wisdom gained from diverse experiences not only enriches our lives but also empowers us to guide and influence others effectively. By navigating our decision-making strategy with intention and reflection, we can harness the full potential of our curiosity, leading to sustained growth and fulfillment. Recognize that growth is a process that begins with friction, resolves conflict and leads to a full experience of growth. So, let's keep exploring, learning, and sharing the exhilaration of new horizons.
