Don’t Forget to Blow Bubbles

Often, we set imaginary obstacles for ourselves that keep us from making important changes in our personal and professional lives. We give up before we even start, before we even try.

I’m reminded of a young woman who worked on a large sales and customer service team I had recently been asked to lead. I was excited to make the necessary changes so that this team could contribute to the organization in ways that I knew they could.

I started on a listening tour to learn more about the various roles on the team, what was working well and what could make the team truly exceptional. As I went around the room and asked for feedback, this young woman talked about the stresses of her role and shared that sometimes she wished she could just sit back, relax and “blow bubbles.”

Not knowing whether she was speaking literally or figuratively, I asked what kept her from doing just that. 

Her response was so insightful. 

She said, “I’ve always assumed it would be frowned upon.” She couldn’t speak to why she had that assumption, but knowing the conservative nature of the greater organizational culture, I understood where the assumption may have come from.

When the team arrived for work the next day, they were greeted by a bottle of bubbles on each desk with a short note saying, “Work hard, Play hard,” which became a central value of our newly forming organization.

It’s important to evaluate the assumptions that seem to hold us back in both our personal and professional lives. We need to evaluate the “I can’t” voices inside our heads and ask the “Why not?” questions. 

Liberate your mind to imagine what’s possible instead of putting out the fire before it has time to warm your body. That’s how this one time overweight kid has been able to compete in marathons, triathlons, endurance cycling events and fitness competitions as an adult.

Don’t forget to blow bubbles…