They say 'set out your gym clothes the night before.'

They say 'wake up and put one foot on the floor.'

They say 'start even when you don't want to...'

It can be difficult thought can't it? 

This morning, Sunday 3rd March, was a morning where I really didn't want my slow cup of coffee to end. When I know its a 'training day' I usually do my morning routine of prayer and 5 min meditation then grab my coffee and sit in the living room to check in on my day and re--structure it if necessary. 

This morning I went back to bed...

As I looked at my phone desperately trying to find the motivation to re-jig my day so I could continue with my routine I didn't want to 'put one foot on the floor or start even when I didn't want to.'

I paused and observed what was emerging for me. 

I created space to consider what my own obstacles were. 

To be honest, I still don't know what the answer was, but what that space did was give me enough psychological energy to put my headphones in (my first step), open up my class (second step), and then get going... 

Starting something can be hard... continuing something can be difficult... AND finding an atom of why you are doing something is often what is needed to move things along. 

And sometimes, most times when you are doing something hard, all you need is to find that little thing to move you along. 

Where might you need to find that next week? 

I firmly believe that when you start looking at your calendar and identifying the 'hard bits' your subconscious helps you by starting to problem solve on your behalf! 

And today is also an ending for me... it is the last lesson of the level 3 improvisation class I am doing with The Free Association. I will be pausing for a while because Ramadan is coming up. Level 3 is the first level where there is an exam and it is a 'pass or fail' class. This morning as I was reflecting on the above one of the things I decided is that regardless of whether I pass or fail I will repeat level 3. The repeat is so that I am more confident and familiar with some of the concepts and ideas that we use. What determined this was meeting a lawyer turned comedian turned facilitator last week who spent several years on the comedy circuit - in case you were wondering this isn't something I am planning on doing - but the way that he spoke about the learning and nuance gained from some of the skills learned in improvisation made me know I wanted to repeat level 3. So as much as it is an ending it is also a new beginning. 

And both endings and beginnings can be challenging. 

Simply, the end of the weekend and the start of the week, and then the end of the week and the start of the weekend can bring 'stuff' up for people. 

What is your 'stuff'? 

How can you gracefully move from one space to another? 

What do you already know how to do? 

I invite you to do more of that this week! 

Tomorrow I am off to the University of Oxford to spend a day with the Center for Culture and Religion where I am a new Research Associate, and on Thursday I will be leading a workshop session for the Psychosynthesis Coaching Symposium in London. And in between that will be my usual coaching/advisory and facilitation work. What are you doing next week? I'd love to know. 

All my best,

Saiyyidah

The Space

1. A seat to welcome more of me (you) into the space.

2. My journey to the last level 3 class

3. A poem I saw that summarises some leadership development work I did on belonging last week.

4. A bracelet I bought that reminds me of the mobius strip - the idea that we all have an inner teacher that we can access, that will guide us... that we all have the knowledge we need within. 

5. A picture from the session on belonging I mention in 3 above :-)

6. A space I go to to find solace

7. Something I saw this morning which reminded me of the importance of company.