In This Issue:
Improv For Business, Life and Relationships
Advisor and Strategist to Entrepreneurs
Right Speech in Business
Worrying About Success
Global Wisdom Circle
Sensory Awareness Workshop at Tassajara
Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration; How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work and Your Life
During my recent improv classes in San Francisco I learned three lessons that I find myself using in my work, my life and my relationships:
- Accept all offers/Say "Yes" - This may sound simple but is actually a profound practice. Just try it. Try fully taking in other people's ideas and proposals. This experiment may help you to see how often we say no or to use improv language, without saying no, you may "block" whatever the proposal or idea has been put forth. Instead of blocking, you can change, add to, or revise whatever is suggested - these are all forms of saying yes. Most of all, try saying yes to yourself, your relationships and your life.
- Celebrate mistakes - This was a huge lesson for me in my first improv class. So often we want to hide our mistakes. If you are taking risks and stretching beyond your comfort zone, mistakes will happen. Try saying "yes" to your mistakes.
- When in doubt, ask, "What happens next?" - If you find yourself questioning or doubting or feeling stuck in some way, just ask yourself "What happens next." There is an expression I like that summarizes this teaching - Those who do, can!
Advisor and Strategist to Entrepreneurs
Gain a fresh perspective, solve nagging problems, and respond effectively to change by hiring ZBA Associates. We can help you to revise your strategy, update your business plan, or clarify and improve your business development process. We can help clarify communication, reduce "fire fighting" and help save your company time and money. If you run a small business, a non-profit or are a coach or service provider, contact us to learn how we can help - 415 389-6228.
Right Speech in Business
Our words have tremendous impact in our work. The four pillars of right speech are:
- Speak the truth - This actually can be very difficult in many business situations. How often does either fear or wanting to look good get in the way of the truth?
- Not creating harm - It can be easy, particularly in positions of authority to underestimate the power that our words have.
- Not exaggerating - This means to be aware of putting spin on situations - underestimating how much time a project will take or over emphasizing the positive aspect of our team's performance.
- Relieving suffering - How can we directly and openly meet and care for others in the workplace?
Worrying About Success
I heard a wonderful interview recently on public radio. The person interviewed had been the U.S. bull riding champion. He described how as a cocky young man he got on a wild bull for the first time and felt the exhilaration of being in connection with this huge, wild animal. When he first began to compete in bull riding contests, he felt tremendous pressure to win, since he had no money and was supporting his new family. Winning in this case meant staying on the bull for at least eight seconds. For the first six months, he never once stayed on for eight seconds. During this time he kept thinking about and worrying about all the things that could go wrong, such as falling off the bull. After six months, when he was desperate and out of money, he decided to start worrying about what could go right - how would he contend with staying on the bull and with receiving awards in front of people. As he began to worry about success, instead of failure, he found he was able to just be with the bull.
Global Wisdom Circles - Tuesday evenings, June 7th to July 26th, 7:30-9 pm
At Studio Rasa in Berkeley - 933 Parker St. bet 8 & 9 streets
www.studiorasa.org 510 843-2787
Studio Rasa in Berkeley invites students of all traditions to join Global Wisdom Circle, a new Tuesday night series of meditation, dialogues, stories and ritual facilitated by spiritual teachers celebrating Buddhist, Christian, Indigenous, Islamic, Jewish and Sufi life ways.
I will be speaking on July 26th.
Sensory Awareness Workshop at Tassajara with Lee Klinger Lesser, July 3 - 8
Quieting Our Hearts: A Workshop in Sensory Awareness.
Sensory Awareness is a mindfulness practice that cultivates our own responsiveness towards what is needed in ourselves and in those around us.
For details see: http://www.sfzc.com/tassajara/zenretreats.php, or, call Lee at 415 389-9729.
Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration: How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work and Your Life
This book, released in February 2005 by New World Library, is available at your local bookstore or on Amazon. "I love this book. It is profoundly simple. It is understandable and accessible - a profound way to integrate life and work."
- Eileen Fisher, president of Eileen Fisher, Inc.