Stretch targets — What are we Chasing?

We are now hurtling towards Spring, the earth is telling us so, the weather, the flowers, the mornings are easier. The yoga classes have settled down to their more normal levels from the January upsurge. At the end of one of the early morning yoga classes last week, one of the students said, ‘I have to run, I am chasing an overseas client, the competition has quoted for the work I am hoping for.’

I asked another, a Sales Director, how he dealt with the competition, ‘I just set the sights higher, be better, stronger, more efficient, better service, better prices.’

Another said they had quoted, put the price in on a job, the client said, they had a cheaper quote, and were seeking a third quote. He did not think he would get the work.

Chasing stretch targets

This is all good, we are stretched, we grow, develop skills, benchmarking against others, keeping an eye on the competition. Most of the time we enjoy this, it makes us more creative. Referring to it as healthy competition.

The more we develop, the wider environment we take in. We become stronger, faster, better; it’s fun, we achieve and gain. When does it stop? Does it stop when we stop? Or does the process in the end stop us?

At what point does it stop being fun, and invigorating, and becomes stressful, when do we experience being overwhelmed by it all? This all depends on the individual, what is fun for one, is stressful for another.

The market of the Wellness Industry suggests that stress and anxiety thresholds have become critical.

We all get overwhelmed at times, depending on what you are doing, the reasons for doing it. Being busy is good, too busy perhaps not so good.

Do you have the tools to manage the process?

The feeling of being overwhelmed we all have experienced. Using the tools of yoga can help.

Learning to be aware when you are ‘chasing’.

Sense where you are feeling the sensation.

Stop.

Pause.

Inhale, pause, exhale, pause: perhaps a few times.

Ask yourself the question, is this my ego rising strong? If your ego is rising strong, it will prevent your spirit from rising strong. It is from your spirit rising that creativity springs.

If it is your ego rising strong, stop, pause. How do you manage this? Acknowledgment of it, speaking the Truth to yourself is key.

Is the ego driving me to achieve? If that achievement is well founded, then fine. If the ego and pride is leading to feelings of being overwhelmed? Anxiety? Feeling of being ‘not enough’?

At this point it is time to stop and take that pause, is there another way?

If you are doing what you love, that feeds your Spirit. No matter what the competition is doing, what the next person coming up behind you is doing, it is of no consequence. Become aware when the ego is playing you, are you playing to Your Standards, or those of another?

Do the work, put the project together, market the proposal, let go, take the pause, non-attachment to the outcome.

What is in our control, is what is in the here and now, that creative thought that has just come up, while we are not looking over our shoulder at what was or what might be, or what could be ‘if only’. It is that current creative thought that keeps our Spirit Bright.

What are you chasing? Share your thoughts in the comments, or get in touch to see how these ideas can help your development.

Our very dear yoga teacher and friend Susie Dennis has written this blog for Coach Mentoring Ltd. Susie holds a Bsc (Hons) P.G.C.E M.B.A BWY Dip TT, Y.A. and is a structural yoga therapist. www.ilkleyyogacentre.co.uk