So about last night…

So about last night…

Tuesday May 5th was definitely one of the most historic days for Alberta I can remember.  Not only did we see sweeping political change but the Flames pulled out a thrilling playoff victory on overtime!

You could feel the buzz in Calgary on Wednesday morning, there was excitement, nervousness and a bit of fear about what is going to happen next.  I was standing in line to get coffee and I heard no less than 3 different conversations happening around me about how this new government was either the best thing that could happen or the worst thing that could happen.  You could hear people digging into their points of view and defending why they were right and the other person was wrong.

It’s so interesting to see how people react to change, there’s the excitement of something new followed quickly by the reality of something new.  Will this new thing be better or worse than the old thing?  What’s going to happen to me and my world because of this new thing?  Is it a threat or an opportunity?

We are assessment machines by nature, constantly assessing the future to look for threats and opportunities.  Throw a big change at people and we go into assessment overdrive.  We try to map our expectations against an unknown landscape.  What happens if we can’t imagine a future with this new change?  Then we panic, we assess that our safety is threatened and we prepare to fight.  That’s what I heard while I waited in line for coffee this morning.  I heard a lot of people trying to map their assessments or expectations about the future against this new change in the political landscape.

The danger of getting to entrenched in your assessments (good or bad) is that they begin to look like facts, like what you believe is the truth and anyone who doesn’t believe it as well is wrong.  We limit ourselves when we dig in on our piont of view so strongly.  It’s so important to be thoughtful, open and considerate of another point of view. You never know, you could discover a whole new way of seeing the world.

Unless it’s about hockey… GO Flames GO!

j

Are you sure?

Are you sure?

Everyday I tell myself that today I’m going to welcome all new ideas, perspectives and opinions with open arms, I’m definitely not going to get stuck thinking that my point of view is ‘right’ or that my way of doing something is the only way it can get done.

Now how many days actually go like that?  Not very many…

I know there is a chance that someone else might know more than me, might be more creative, could bring new and unique perspective to a challenge I’m working on.  So why do I sometimes find myself getting dug in on wanting my way, or thinking I’m right because you know… I think I’m right.

Wouldn’t it be great if our natural response to a different perspective was “Wow how lucky am I, now I have two great points of view to consider!”  I think it’s natural to feel like we need to defend our POV, we are a reflection of our beliefs, so if our beliefs are challenged then in a way our value is being questioned.

Where it gets tricky is separating fact from fiction.  So often what we hold onto as “true” is not true it’s just our opinion.  Yet as soon as we label it as true it becomes a fact for us, something that could define us.  It becomes something we have to defend.  If I believe something to be true and you believe something different then by default what you believe is false.

The best example of this is watching two commentators on CNN argue about the politics.  Both sides present so many compelling “”Facts” about why their side is right and the other side is wrong.  There are no facts, there are just opinions, and I think we all know what they say about opinions and a certain body part 😉

Here’s an experiment you can try.  Put a Post It note on your monitor or somewhere you will see it all the time that says “ARE YOU SURE?”  The next time you feel like you are right and they are wrong or you have to defend your truth take a second and ask yourself “Are you Sure?”  Are you really right?  Is this really a fact or could it be your opinion?  If you find it is just your opinion then it’s much easier to open up and consider a new viewpoint.  You never know, maybe that will lead to a new possibility for action that you never considered.

jb

The New Macho – Masculinity Redefined

The New Macho – Masculinity Redefined

The New Macho

By Boysen Hodgson.

He cleans up after himself.
He cleans up the planet.
He is a role model for young men.
He is rigorously honest and fiercely optimistic.

He holds himself accountable.
He knows what he feels.
He knows how to cry and he lets it go.
He knows how to rage without hurting others.
He knows how to fear and how to keep moving.
He seeks self-mastery.

He’s let go of childish shame.
He feels guilty when he’s done something wrong.
He is kind to men, kind to women, kind to children.
He teaches others how to be kind.
He says he’s sorry.

He stopped blaming women or his parents or men for his pain years ago.
He stopped letting his defenses ruin his relationships.
He stopped letting his penis run his life.
He has enough self respect to tell the truth.
He creates intimacy and trust with his actions.
He has men that he trusts and that he turns to for support.
He knows how to roll with it.
He knows how to make it happen.
He is disciplined when he needs to be.
He is flexible when he needs to be.
He knows how to listen from the core of his being.

He’s not afraid to get dirty.
He’s ready to confront his own limitations.
He has high expectations for himself and for those he connects with.
He looks for ways to serve others.
He knows he is an individual.
He knows that we are all one.
He knows he is an animal and a part of nature.
He knows his spirit and his connection to something greater.

He knows future generations are watching his actions.
He builds communities where people are respected and valued.
He takes responsibility for himself.
In times of need, he will be his brother’s keeper.

He knows his higher purpose.
He loves with fierceness.
He laughs with abandon, because he gets the joke.

This is a picture of mature masculine, of healthy masculinity – it is one redefinition of masculinity for the 21st century. By no means is this list complete.

Throwing My Cap in the Air!

Throwing My Cap in the Air!

This is a really special day for me.  The 1st part of a life long journey is coming to a close.  Today is the official close of the Newfield Coach Training Program.

I have been blessed to take part in one of the top coaching programs in the world.  I started in October 2013 with so many questions about what was going to happen.  What exactly was ontological coaching, Would I like it? Could I actually do this?  Would I be any good at it?  I did the 1st part of the program through the University of Calgary and I did the actual Coach Training portion in Colorado.  Along the way I have met so many amazing people who have taught me so much.  Not just about Coaching but also about myself.  I know I have found my true calling, every hour I have spent coaching has been so rewarding.  I’m so grateful for all of the support I have had to get to this point.

Coaching is a true service profession and I love knowing that I will be able to spend my time in service to others.  I believe we are all whole and complete beings with all the strength and resources we need.  Sometimes we get stuck and a powerful conversation can help clear the path to new possibilities for action.  Having the opportunity to be a part of those conversations is a gift.

The future is so bright and I’m excited to take the next step.

This is the 2014 graduating class of The Newfield Network Coach training program 🙂

TAPOC