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02.11.2022

The Comfort Trap | Culture | People Watching

Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS. 

You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach: 

Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: something that’s creating an energy and positive impact
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge

Have you taken the GLAS Understanding Assessment
and received your free report?

LEARN
Something Worth Sharing

The Comfort Trap

While many of us strive for ‘comfort’, it’s not always a helpful state to be in - or certainly not to stay in. Being comfortable allows us to settle in for the duration, to potentially take our foot off the accelerator and coast. We see this all the time in family businesses; often the business has passed from the founding generation who have worked to build a strong organisation, and then people (usually family members) migrate to a comfy state within it.

Comfy is associated with familiar. The problem with familiar is that we stop striving, pushing and growing. We stop challenging and questioning. The issue then is that we potentially enter a slow, often unnoticed decline. This isn’t true for just business however, have you ever begun a new hobby and enjoyed good progress initially - to then become comfy and progress plateau?

To overcome come this, it’s vital to find deliberate ways to stretch ourselves - as a business, physically or mentally. We have to find strategies to stretch out of the comfy space and strive by finding a way to aspire and be accountable. This might be via a mentor, a non-executive director, a coach, stating publicly what you’re aiming at or joining a group. Comfort is a short-term benefit and one we need to be much more mindful of, as well as not confusing it with safety and stability. Being pushed in a balanced way - providing there is a clear purpose behind it - is a good thing.

ENERGY
Focusing on an emotion or positive energy; a stand-out word / s

Culture

It’s amazing how many phrases and terms become incredibly popular - and even over-used - and yet people often don’t understand their true meaning. ‘Purpose’ is one such term that people have a confused understanding of. Another very popular term is ‘culture’ - and yet when you ask people what it means they struggle to define and explain it. This is where etymology can be really valuable.

The word ‘culture’ originates from Latin word CULTURA meaning "a cultivating, agriculture". This highlights the point that a culture is an environment suitable for growth. To do this, as with working the land, it requires nurturing - feeding and encouraging while being ready to adjust with change. To create a fertile environment is what building a strong culture is all about, otherwise things struggle and eventually wither away.

ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference

Plan Something

Research shows that the emotional value of a vacation or trip isn’t just at the time of the trip or after it, but in the lead up to it. Anticipating positive events sustains the output of dopamine into the brain's chemical pathways.

This week, I’m suggesting that you plan something positive, such as: a theatre trip, meeting up with a friend or reading a book. Make sure it’s something you can anticipate and look forward to, even if it’s a small thing.

PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)

“What worries you the most about the future?”

Over the past several years, the news around the world is rarely positive. So often I hear people sharing their concerns for the future. As you think ahead to your future, what worries you most?

SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition, my gratitude or to be celebrated.

People-Watching

One of my absolute favourite things in the world is to sit with a latte (in the sun hopefully, and sometimes with a chilled glass of wine), and watch both the world and people go by. I also love watching people in train stations, grocery stores etc. People watching is just so fascinating and I’ve long thought was something of value, but I’ve investigated further and found research to support this:

1. More present in the moment

2. Better understanding of people in general

3. Increases empathy

4. Improves self-awareness

5. We learn by observation (what to do and not to)

6. Helps us perform better at tasks after watching others

7. Observing positive emotions (love, kindness, affection) transmits to us

People-watching is a human trait (actually not just human!), and one that is vitally important to us - as well as being fascinating!

BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
This week’s little extra for you - from me

I was reminded of the book I’m recommending to you recently and so wanted to include it this week. Ignore Everybody was written by High Macleod. It’s a brilliant little book full of great tips and thoughts.

The visual synopsis below is gifted to you for free (for 7 days) using code: HUGH-IGNORE when you check out. Access is via the link below.

The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences.

If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.

*** ORDER YOURS NOW READY FOR 2023 ***

Order Your Deliberate Year Calendar & Logbook Set

LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis. 

I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:

• L: what have you learned?

• E: what’s your energy / feeling word

• A: what’s one thing you need to do?

• P: what are you thinking / processing?

• S: who or what can you shout out?