OR HOW TO Mix and match activities to generate enduring energy
This article is part of a series on the the parallel between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and conditions for sustainable transformations of organizational systems. Here is the 1st post. If you are a professional changemaker, committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner serenity.
💡 Explanation of the permaculture operating principle
Nature doesn't need a gardener.
It is designed from scratch to provide its needs for water, sun, wind, nutrients, no matter the season or location. It adapts itself according to the characteristics of a given context, whether it is arid, icy or humid, in order to develop, distribute and store the resources necessary for its permanence.
Nature’s goal is to respectfully and minimally use energy with the least effort.
🔍 Illustration of the principle applied to a mission of transformation
Just like Nature, a change maker needs to walk the talk of sobriety.
A change agent needs time, creativity, knowledge, support, but above all, a lot of energy to last and to redistribute to its ecosystem.
I remember a member of my team arriving at a meeting exhausted.
She felt the implementation of a cross-functional committee promoting eco-actions in the office was weighing her down.
During our discussion, we tried to understand the sources of resistance, the members’ commitment issue, and the essential elements to create a real impact. We were able to see how we could adapt the approach to match the resources at our disposal, strengths and maneuverability of each member. This plan was supposed to strengthen the shared governance of the project and conserve everyone's energy while maximizing opportunities for pride.
She seemed relieved. Still, one thing was missing: her energy storage and renewal.
I asked her: "What projects are energizing you currently?” Once these elements were identified, I simply advised her to alternate and mix energizing and draining tasks during her day. This would naturally, recharge her energy without her feeling depleted. This dynamic creates a virtuous circle because energy is contagious.
A few years later, after many subsequent successes, she told me that this change had been pivotal in achieving her goals
🐝 Tips to get moving
Fill up on energy like you would fill up on groceries.
Just because the market is full of good food doesn't mean you're going to take it all home. That would be unaffordable, unpackable and impossible to consume before the expiration date.
So, yes, there are billions of projects you'd like to start, many people to meet, decision makers to convince, partnerships to create, emails to write, kick offs to launch, dozens of conferences to attend, piles of books to devour. But you need to be selective.
We have to acknowledge our level of motivation, our intellectual dynamism, our physical shape, to allow us to manage our impactul projects in the long run.
Do you feel guilty that you may not be doing enough for the climate and social emergencies? I understand.
Now, let’s take a different perspective.
On July 28th, our society spent the annual budget of natural resources. This Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates during the entire year. As a change maker, you may try to activate changes in your ecosystems so as to stop overspending natural resources when over producing and consuming products.
Why are you doing to yourself what you fight against? Why are you overspending your energy?
I am not here to judge, rather to create a wake call. I often catch myself in the act of overspending my energy while pursuing my projects. I try to get back on track as soon as possible. This is important to lead by example and maximize my impact and well-being at the same time. It is challenging to do. Yet, it is crucial.
“Productivity only has value if it allows you to have a balanced life ”
So are you ready to generate the kind of energy that endures? What is your first step in this direction?
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Hello everyone, I am Nina cambadélis, an independent coach and facilitator, specializing in sustainability and organizational transformation. I am also a changemaker working for the leader of environmental services.
What I like to do through my activities is to inspire professionals to rethink the business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, human, and nature-friendly world.
If you wish to be supported to:
Become the changemaker you want for the world you expect
Find and assert your leadership or promote the emergence of new leadership styles
Integrate sustainability, purpose-driven initiatives at the heart of your organization
Accelerate your ecosystem's engagement to create systemic change
Make an impact while preserving energy and well-being
Here is a link to an exploration call and a form to further elaborate on your ambition and challenges: English