…can feel demoralising for those who only like forward motion, making progress. But let’s reconsider for a moment…what if the one step backwards is actually a point of learning, consolidation and insight?
Maybe you recall those times when you went a little slower to go more quickly in the end. Or when you’ve rushed on forwards only to have missed things along the way.
Yes, the call for pace is all around us. Yes, the pressure to keep moving onwards is strong. But validating the one step backwards makes us even stronger.
The dynamics of the one step backwards include these:
- we halt long enough to consider where we really are – to survey the scene
- we open ourselves to the insights gathered during the 3 steps forward – what have we actually achieved and is it on point?
- we take a breath, helping our physical, mental and emotional selves to recuperate, adapt or stabilise depending on need
- we build resilience and resources for the next stage of forward motion
What does it look like in practice? That depends on whether you like to ‘plan’ and make concrete notes, undertake specific analysis and so on, or work with silence and allow the insights to flow, intuition to be active and wisdom to emerge. All of these can be present depending on our preferences. It could be worth trying those that aren’t your preferred way – just to mix it up a bit and see what new resources might come your way.
The point is validating the one step backwards is part of making healthy and resilient progress – not just on the physical level but on the wisdom level. In this way we grow our wisdom and expand our centre of equilibrium making our contributions, decisions and leadership even more powerful.
Perhaps a new mantra can emerge that supports wise leadership – three forward, one back, three forward, one back?