Breaking Free

My friends,

Have you ever thought about how a tiny bird with a brain weighing just 2 grams instinctively seeks the freedom of the sky? Yet, despite our larger brains, many of us often find ourselves shackled by invisible chains, especially in the workplace and the world around us. These chains can be self-imposed, but on the other hand, many aren’t. Often, they’re crafted by the expectations and limitations set by others. It could be a boss, a friend, a partner, or a complete stranger we barely ever know. 

In many professional environments, there are many contracts and agreements that you often find yourself signing. Many are enforceable, and many more are not or are hard to. That’s not what we will cover today, but we will discuss the unspoken rules and norms that dictate how you should think and act. These can be stronger than any agreement when it comes to breaking them. They are as binding as any physical restraint. We’re often told to conform, to fit into predefined roles, and not to rock the boat. However, this conformity can be destructive to you personally first before it becomes destructive to the organization or society as a whole in the long run. It put creativity and innovation in a garbage can, keeping you from reaching the highs you can reach. Instead of becoming a believer of unique achievements, you become one of ordinary results like everyone else. 

Think about how much of your work life is influenced by others’ perceptions. Whether it’s a manager’s expectations or the company culture, these external pressures can shape your decisions and limit your growth. Have you ever thoughts about what those may be? Have you ever even paused to attempt thinking about that? If not, you should do that sooner rather than later. It’s crucial to recognize these chains for what they are in hopes that you can challenge some and redefin them for the greater good. 

Instead of accepting these limitations, you should focus on questioning and expanding them. Challenge the norms by introducing new ideas and perspectives. Encourage open dialogue and different thoughts. Now by doing so, I'm not telling you to not deliver on what it is expected of you, but I'm directing to you to thrive to enhance our own growth butcontribute to a more dynamic and innovative workplace which ultimately lead to better results. 

The other day, I came across this training in LinkedIn which is I will use to delve into this from a philosophical angle: the notion of self-actualization. Inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is about realizing our fullest potential beyond basic needs and societal expectations. It’s about finding meaning and purpose in our work, not just checking boxes or meeting quotas.

Consider how this applies in your real life. There might have been times when you felt bound by a job description or a narrow set of responsibilities. But by seeking projects that may be beyond your outlined tasks, by aligning your work with your passions or by working closely with others instead of doing it in a sill, you begin to outperform those limitations. You find fulfillment not just in completing tasks but in contributing to something greater.

Another important aspect is the power of intention. To me, this is the most lacking aspect. We are a very distracted society. One that has and is still creating too much noise around us. All of this is putting is dark cloud above us, and forcing us to walk on a path that may not align with with intententions with our goals, dreams and actions. If you find a way to break free from all of that, it can help us choose what truly matters to us and will guide us in pursuing it with focus and dedication.

As we reflect on these weekly insights, it's essential to recognize that the chains we feel are not just personal, they impact everyone around us. This is the whole purpose from this newsletter. One drop at a time, the hope is to motivate one person to challenge one limitation at a time from any aspect so we can inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that can transform our workplaces and communities.

I encourage you to close your eyes for few minutes now, and Imagine the world we once lived in in early 80s, 90s, 2000s versus the one we inhabit now, where voices are beginning to rise for both good, and bad reasons against the status quo. Envision the future ahead. You already have many signs in front of you. Some are exciting, while others are very concerning. What are you doing about that? My advice?Dare to disrupt, honor the lessons from the past, respect them, and let your courage today be the driver of the change you want for tomorrow. You can create a legacy of you, and your loved ones.

However, let’s be clear, being free doesn’t mean you can claim anything or disregard the foundational pillars that have shaped our journeys up until now. It’s about understanding the balance between our ideas and respect for the values and systems that got us here. 

Have a great week

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