The poet Antonio Machado wrote, “Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking.”
This powerful quote about the importance of each of us taking action opens an article about a book by Dr. John Izzo and Eric Klein called “Awakening Corporate Soul.” The article shares the book’s teachings on practices that help people in a group or organization feel stimulated, fulfilled, and delivering their greatest performance. While the authors were primarily advising companies on how to reignite commitment, any mother or board member can easily see the parallels when it comes to staying motivated and bringing one’s best to the task at hand.
To quote the article: “The soul requires a sense of being in the world, of having a place and making a contribution,” write Klein and Izzo. “[When human beings work only for pay or out of a sense of obligation] this manifests into a stagnant environment that [erodes] passion and cultivates attitudes of dissent. The quest becomes: how does [an organization or a family] tackle worker fatigue and pessimism? Individuals must ask themselves when do they give more than their all; what inspires them to give 150%?”
In a family, the motivation is usually pretty clear. For most of us, raising and caring for those we love and feel fiercely responsible for is an investment and commitment we don’t question. But whether in regard to a family or a company, maintaining the energy and motivation to truly deliver our best does not happen automatically. It takes attention and intention. Repeatedly!
Izzo and Klein talk about things like fostering community and shared goals, helping individuals tap into a sense of purpose and contribution, and the importance of taking action and viewing oneself as personally responsible and a key actor in shaping the path upon which you walk.
What do you think? At Just Say Glow, we believe strongly that we all need practices in life for replenishing ourselves and reigniting our sense of joy and passion for what fills our lives. Do you have practices to share with the rest of us, for what you turn to when you are feeling depleted? Do you agree that building community helps? How do you do that in your life, family, or organization? What about taking action? Does it seem exciting and empowering to think of there being “no paths, only walking” to make the path you will follow? Or like it’s too much work?
Please share your thoughts on your journey through life and your approach to what brings meaning to your days. We know OUR sense of community increases when we hear from you, and it always helps reconnect us to our larger mission of helping us all GLOW!
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