Breaking the shackles and letting go

Jan 14, 2022. Harry Welby-Cooke

Welcome back to 2022.  I sincerely hope and trust you had a great festive period and that you’ve come back energized and ready for 2022.  My hope for you and your family is that you will do what you need to do, to ensure that 2022 is your best year yet.  Make it count and have an amazing 2022.

Even despite my digital detox I’m currently on, the news still finds me and already it’s been a cracking start to the year with lots of curve balls and challenges.  Interesting how the ‘chaos’ at least stays constant.

Each New Year brings with it the opportunity to clear the slate and start over.  We give ourselves permission to dare dream again and come back fired up to change almost everything. 

A conversation in early January lead to me sharing an analogy I often share when dealing with prospective new ActionCOACH’s, normally in talks towards the end of their Due Diligence.  I think this may be quite appropriate for you at the start of 2022 so here goes:

We all know Tarzan right?  The freedom of Tarzan living in the jungle and swinging from tree to tree has been imprinted on our minds thanks to Disney through books, cartoons and more feature films that I can remember.  But let’s explore Tarzan’s freedom a bit.

As Tarzan swings from branch to branch he’s holding onto one vine whilst reaching out for the next.  His progress is dependent on focusing on where he wants to go and in the momentum generated through his swinging motion.  However, there’s a split second between taking hold of the new vine when Tarzan actually needs to let go of the previous one.  For a split second he’s in limbo and runs the risk of crashing to the ground.  Fortunately he’s Tarzan and seamlessly he let’s go of the vine and then catches onto the next.  There’s the initial downward trajectory of his swing before he moves up, and at speed, before repeating the same over and over.

So what would happen, if whilst holding onto the first vine, Tarzan reached out and grabbed the new vine without letting go of the first.  Yes he might feel more secure holding onto both but within a split second he would come to a grinding halt and his arms may very well feel like they’re being ripped from his body.  Next frame Tarzan would be stuck grimacing in one place and not moving.  Momentum gone and destination not achieved.

Think about Tarzan when you’re thinking about your year and the goals you’ve set for yourself.  How long do you allow the shackles of the current reality to hold you back from moving forward.  Maybe it’s the ‘Golden Handcuffs’ of your corporate job, maybe it’s your F.E.A.R. in backing yourself, maybe it the perceived risk of entrepreneurship versus the perceived stability of a ‘safe’ job.  Another Disney phrase comes to mind: “Good one Pumba”.

After sharing my Tarzan analogy the conversation went to this: “Surely any progress brings with it uncertainty and risk?”

All progress starts with those that break the shackles and let go.  Nothing will change in 2022 if you don’t allow for the change.  No risk = No reward.  Low risk = Low reward.  High risk = … Well, you decide where you want to play.

Maybe 2022 is finally the time to take the risk and follow your heart, your dreams, your deep-down desire to contribute, make a difference, follow your passion and live your legacy.  Perhaps now truly is the time to Get into ACTION!

Make 2022 the best yet.  Let’s talk.  Get into ACTION!

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