Here’s another occasional thought from the gym. I attended my first aerobics session for two months on Friday last. I was a little apprehensive, even frustrated at how much I seemed to have forgotten, almost like I would ‘fail’ in some way. I nearly didn’t go. Classic comfort zone stuff.
So this got me thinking about what happens when we don’t get enough opportunities to practice the TE principles, and as a result our facilitation or coaching can feel or become less purely a Thinking Environment. This can happen, for many good reasons, just like not going to the gym. And then it’s natural to feel a little apprehensive, to worry about finding a way to start again gracefully – it can even feel like it’s easier just to carry on as we are, staying in the comfort of the known.
In my experience – in both cases – when I trust the process, all is well. On Friday I trusted myself to carry on with the ‘process’ of the routines even when I fell out of step a few times to begin with, and sure enough muscles and instinct kicked in, and led to a great session – and full endorphin reward.
Likewise during a facilitation or in a coaching session I know that when I trust the TE process, remind myself of the key principles, and deliberately choose to stay in a place of ease and non-judgement, things will go well. It’s no exaggeration to say that they always do – with full oxytocin experience too.
So that’s why I’m working on some ideas and dates for TE Refresher days. In my venue at the The Grange in Ealing I’m going to offer a 10.00 – 4.00 day to allow for easeful travels for everyone; to have no more than 12 people, and to use the day to ‘practice practice practice’ in Thinking Pairs and small group, so that there’s lots of time for ‘live’ thinking about your own work as well as input and reflection on what’s new or different. There’s always something new.
Day fee will be £90 including refreshments and lunch, I want to be as accessible as possible. The dates are: Monday 29th April or Wednesday 26th June. If keen please email by return so I can hold a place for you. And I hope to offer something similar in Ireland too, later in 2019 or early 2020.