Transition is occurring all the time, whether we realize it or not.
For those who are considering – or are in the throes of – major transition, it’s not too hard to figure out that transition ‘R us.
When it’s not so major, it’s also not so obvious that the daily steps we’re taking are adding up to transition in some form or another.
Where we end up at transition’s end is largely based on what drives us. Come with me to the garage for a few minutes…
As you’re charting your course, what kind of motor do you have under the hood of your chariot?
– Does it purr like a kitten on the fuel injector cleaner of inspiration?
– Or does it run, foot to the floorboard, on the raw gas of panic?
Bearing in mind that you’re the chariot, have you ever stopped to consider what commonly motivates you? Perhaps defining panic and inspiration might be enlightening…
PANIC – a situation that causes many people to become afraid and to rush to do something.
INSPIRATION – a person, place, experience, etc. that makes someone want to do or create something.
In each of these dictionary definitions, to do something is a common denominator.
Notice, though, that fear inflames the felt need to do something and act in a rush with little thought, planning, or asking an important question: If I do this, where might this road take me? If panic is the fuel in your gas tank, it can cause you to make short-sighted, knee-jerk choices. The result? Operating your chariot with a constant shifting of gears, trying to find ‘smooth’. Instead, it’s often more like, ‘If you can’t find ’em, grind ’em!’
Inspiration, on the other hand, stirs something within that transcends fear. It kindles and re-kindles responses from the strings of our heart having just been strummed. Being inspired still calls for asking the same question: If I do this, where might this road take me?
In the case of panic-driven rush, the road often rises up to meet us with potholes of confusion, roadblocks of conflict, and detours of discouragement. The problem is, when we’re motivated by panic in the first place, unless and until that is addressed, we’re likely to keep responding from a fear-based fueling of the movement we are engaged in.
It’s like having a car with two wheels instead of four…you just keep going in ever-increasing circles of panic-driven frustration. We may breeze through a few green lights and think we’re really making progress. But if situations keep eliciting panicked decisions and in turn, rushed actions, the end result is usually less than favorable or fulfilling.
As for inspiration, there is no guarantee that the route we embark upon will be any less full of potholes, conflict, or discouragement. But when fear is no longer the motivating factor behind our action, there is less concern and anxiety, leaving room to enjoy the creative outworking that inspiration inspired!
Christian Nevell Bovee said it quite well:
Panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination.
And may I add, the enemy of our inspiration, too.
People in panic-mode do not typically know how to slow down.
People operating from inspiration understand it may take some time but the result will be more lasting and worthwhile, especially if the inspiration is for eternal purposes.
As we leave the garage, I’d like to leave you with a few points to ponder:
For the raw gas folks – What are you afraid of? Do you know? Can you name it?
For the fuel injector cleaner folks – Ideas and inspiration are great.
Do they turn you into raw gas folks?
Or can you balance inspiration with forethought and patience?
May we start a conversation? I’d love to hear your thoughts; feel free to share in the comments section.
And if you’d like to hang out in my coaching ‘garage’ for a bit to work through the above questions, I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me here.
Leave a Reply