Maximise the Exit | Relax | Communicating
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: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Maximise the Exit
Much time, effort and focus goes into how we prepare, start and accomplish things, but once we have done this, what comes next? Have you given all you have to a project, goal or task and then found yourself struggling in a ‘what now?’ state?
In 2001, I spent months preparing to restructure our manufacturing-based shopfloor; I focused on bringing in health and safety, rationalising the management structure and enabling efficiencies. Once I had the plan in place, I spent about 4 weeks implementing it - with absolute precision. Once we went live with the ‘new structure’ in place, I remember the feeling that followed - one of emptiness. I hadn’t prepared for the phase that followed completion.
This is something I’ve observed many times in my life and around me. One of the worst experiences of this I had was after selling a business - and having a real come-down and feeling of being lost.
My personal trainer was telling me about the mistake that many competitive body builders face - the one after they have spent months preparing for a show. These dedicated body builders control everything up to - and including - their ‘big day’ of competition, often going through a very tough diet to get the perfect physique. The day after the competition some remove all restrictions and control, and can end up making themselves really ill through shocking their bodies with food. How we handle the post-completion, or post-focus phase is vitally important.
When taught to drive - just as I had when ice skating - I recall the importance of ‘maximising the exit phase’. Experienced drivers and physics professors alike agree that maintaining consistent speed through a bend or curve is the way to go. The rule was always to not slow down, and don't speed up. But when the time is right, the best drivers accelerate out of a curve. Being able to apply this to life, projects, goals, retirement, sport and many other things we face helps us to smooth out and avoid the ‘what now?’ phase. The next time you plan something, remember to maximise the exit phase too. Landing is just as important as taking off!
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Relax
As Frankie Goes To Hollywood said in the 1984, ‘Relax, don't do!’ I love the word ‘relax’, but being told to ‘relax’ has the opposite effect.
The word is from Latin RELAXARE meaning "loosen, open, stretch out, widen again; make loose". It’s formed from RE "back" + LAXARE "loosen". It requires us to let go both physically and mentally.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
See the Joy
Watch or look at something joyful - a video, a live performance, a person, a piece of art…whatever brings you joy. Sit with it for a little longer than you would normally and take in the feeling; immerse yourself with the feeling of joy.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“How fulfilled do I feel - and how can I improve this?”
The thing that humans crave far more than happiness and success is ‘fulfilment’ - to be full of all that matters to you. It is personal, but how fulfilled do you feel now and what can you do to make it even better?
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Resilience
I have the honour of talking about resilience several times a year with MBA students. It’s always fascinating and it gives even more value to the parts of my life and past that have helped me build resilience. Resilience is such an important thing to be able to gain the strength to endure. Shout out the human ability to be resilient.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
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If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
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?
