The importance of seeking alignment with self and others at work
Have you ever felt physical pain because your body was out of alignment? I received a Thai Yoga massage yesterday, a treatment I highly recommend. Its purpose is to release tension in the body and achieve alignment, similar to what a chiropractor does during an adjustment, just way more relaxing. When our body is out of alignment, we experience physical pain. Misalignment in other areas of our lives can be less obvious, yet it can have severe consequences.
I strongly believe that alignment is a key contributor to success. One definition of alignment is “a position of agreement or alliance”. When we are in true alignment with our inner values, and those of everyone else in our circle of influence, including co-workers, managers, and customers, good things start to happen. We eliminate resistance and therefore have full access to our highest levels of energy. This is a powerful state which opens endless possibilities and makes space for creativity.
If total alignment on all levels is the key to success, why don’t we encounter it more frequently? What gets in the way? What is the secret to achieving greater alignment?
Let me answer the last question first – the secret to greater alignment is to find your “why”. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is your purpose?
- What drives you and makes you get out of bed every morning?
- What are your core values?
- What gives your life meaning?
- What brings you joy?
Once you are clear on the answers, your “why” surfaces and it becomes your inner compass to guide you. It will help you find employment that fulfills you, and a working environment that lifts you up and brings out the best in you.
So, what commonly gets in the way of finding alignment more often in the workplace? In my opinion, the greatest obstacles are a) a lack of self-awareness and b) the apparent readiness to defer from our inner compass when circumstances cause us to compromise.
Especially in the corporate world, many people are pushing their agenda without thinking much about the greater good. Their ego gets in the way of developing self-awareness and aligning with others. Also, at times we may choose to de-prioritize our why, e.g., when circumstances dictate an urgency to find a job quickly without having the luxury to find our dream job that provides the ideal environment and is in alignment with our personal goals.
When you add up how many employees either lack self-awareness or have compromised on their why, and are not working under ideal circumstances, it becomes apparent why alignment is lacking in so many organizations leading to less-than-optimal results. While we cannot control others, we can control ourselves by developing a greater level of self-awareness, finding our why, and doing our best not to defer from our inner compass.
A professional coach can help you do exactly that. Contact me at angela@belladonnacareercoach.com to assist you with the process of gaining greater alignment with yourself and others.