How often does it feel that the harder you push in business (and life for that matter) the harder it pushes back?  It’s kind of like that cornstarch in water demonstration most of us have seen in school (or our kids school).  You can drag your finger through the solution slowly and it provides no resistance at all.  However, the instant you try to plow through it quickly the solution stiffens into a solid-like substance that creates impenetrable resistance.

There is a natural flow and pace to the things we do.  Go too slow and we miss opportunity.  Push too hard and it pushes back just as hard, exhausting us.  The key is to figure out that ideal pace that produces maximum results with the minimum amount of effort.

Yeah, that sounds good, but most of us are pretty hard charging when it comes to business.  After all, that’s what got us where we are, right?  But what if “where we are” is just the beginning of “where we could be”.  Sometimes us “hard-chargers” have to push so hard that we finally think that nothing is working and we’re just stuck.  The moment we realize that is the moment we are finally open to real breakthrough…

The most effective work is not hard work. The most effective work is work that flows easily and naturally. Valuable results don’t come from stress and anxiety. Really valuable results come from authenticity and truth.

Imagine being relaxed and confident, not fighting against the challenges but instead allowing the best possibilities.  Imagine the feeling of genuine fulfillment that comes when what you do is completely aligned with who you are.

Stop trying, and allow. Stop worrying, and be.

Ralph Marston

Next time you feel like you’re stuck no matter what you do, consider stepping back for a moment and just accept that simply pushing harder is not the solution.  Then be open to the possibility that another direction will present itself that may get you farther than you even dreamed possible.