24.08.2022

The World We’re Designing | Protect | Acknowledge

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 World We’re Designing

There have been a couple of things that have happened recently which have shaken me to the core. The first of these being while queuing in a home improvement store with my husband, where we witnessed blatant and aggressive racism - even hearing a white middle-aged man yelling expletives at an Indian gentleman and shouting “go back to your own country”. The second was dealing with an online composite screen and fencing company who took our money months ago and not only failed to deliver, but have refused to respond to any communication. It turns out that they’ve done this to thousands of people.

I mentioned these two examples to a couple of friends separately, and both of them said that they have also experienced dreadful human behaviour since COVID-19. But if you think beyond my examples, look at the behaviour of politicians, issues around the world, violence and judgement - including social media (and other media outlets) who provide a platform for judgement - what’s going on in our world?

As someone that has researched #kindness and #compassion, I find this beyond tragic. I know that poor behaviour of any type stems from a deeper place: a lack of #balance at an individual level. The failure of individuals to have a strong and calm foundation will adversely affect relationships, behaviour and the negative impact created in homes, neighbourhoods, societies and beyond. What we are experiencing in the world is a result of millions of us being imbalanced and failing to take responsibility - in other words we are creating a world that is conspiring against us. To change this we have to change ourselves. To change ourselves we need 1) awareness and 2) to start making better choices. There is no magic pill, however a great starting place is kindness - self-kindness especially - followed by patience, empathy and compassion.

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

Protect

I’ve just been working with a client who described a situation that brought the word PROTECT to my attention. Originating from the Latin word PROTEGERE meaning "to protect, defend, cover over, cover in front". It is formed from PRO "before" + TEGERE "to cover". Who and / or what would you step in front of to ‘protect’?

The client I mentioned was saying how he would have his colleagues backs - he would always step forwards to protect them.

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

Acknowledge

Who has been someone - let’s say since January this year - that you need to acknowledge? This could be someone at work, a friend, a loved one, someone in a store etc - and they could have gone through adversity or been helpful. How can you let them know you acknowledge them? Perhaps send a card, say thank you, buy them a coffee, leave positive feedback etc. This action, inspired by the need for more kindness in the world, not only helps the recipient - but is good for you too.

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

“How do you think others see you?”

Time and time again I run into people with a very distorted view of how they believe they are seen by others. In my job, I get to hear how board members feel about each other and often wish I could share all the positives. How do you think others see you? Can you verify this - ask a trusted friend, perhaps?

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

Care

Despite my Learn and that the world appears to be full of judgement, I choose to focus on positives. I’ve been on the look out for evidence of care in the world, and sure enough I’ve found plenty of examples. Seeing care and kindness around us doesn’t have to be directed towards us specifically - to indirectly observe it is known to have positive impacts as well as being a direct recipient. It’s also worth saying that research shows that caring and kindness are also contagious. A moment of care towards someone will dramatically improve the changes of it being passed on.

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

This week, my recommended book is a short book by Marty Neumeier. It’s called The Designful Company - and is a must read!

We have added a small fee for many of the downloads, but by using the week-long discount code of DESIGNFORDELIGHT - as readers / supporters of LEAPS (use the code before next Wednesday 31st August) - you can download for free.

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 ***

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?