Yesterday I was on a phone call with a good colleague and friend, Cameron Barr. Cameron is among many things, Pastor at Grinnell, Iowa United Church of Christ Congregational. He and I are exploring some writing together, including a more deliberate article on the strategic planning process that we created with several stewards at Grinnell.
Yesterday’s conversation included sharing recent experiences of depth in working with teams. Sometimes it is there. Sometimes it is not. Cameron made this remark.
“It is a lot easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than it is to think your way into a new way of acting.”
Together we referenced the slowing down that is needed in the latter. It’s a slowing down that can really interrupt the habit and pattern of many people. Many of us are quite eager to get things done. A good thing, right. That good thing can also impede us getting to the depth and change that we need. It impedes getting beyond the “act” and integrating new practice.
I’m glad to have colleagues and friends who remind me of this, who help put words to something that happens often yet can be difficult to name.
Yes this is true and we know it from the cognitive sciences as well. Change your thinking by making your body do different things.