Acceptance and letting go — essential skills to build resilience
One week ago, being approximately 2.5 weeks into the Social Sabbatical, I could not have imagined to talk about a more delicate topic than the topic of being thrown into an emerging market to volunteer for an NGO which focuses on children’s rights.
Turns out I had not foreseen how quickly one can evolve in a unique setting as the one I’m currently in — detached from families and friends, day-to-day tasks and responsibilities or constant distraction by the infinity of choices of first world societies. So I figured to give it a go and speak about the necessity of building resilience, be it by taking a mindset of acceptance, or a mindset of letting go. In my opinion, both are immensely important soft skills when operating in today’s fast-paced business context, but probably even more so when collaborating with NGOs and social enterprises, not bringing a social or legal background.
Why Let Go?
Let’s face it — the pace of change in today’s professional environments demands a great level of agility and flexibility, and clinging onto the familiar only blocks the path to personal and professional growth. When departing to the Philippines, we were explicitly told to leave our jobs and perceptions behind and embrace the journey. To be honest, I only fully understood the impact as I realized that we truly have to let go of certain behaviors, ideas, concepts, expectations and even hopes (although these will continue to arise).
To transfer it to a business context, whether it’s an underperforming team, a failing project, or a flawed business model, recognizing when something isn’t working is the first step towards progress. But often, the fear of failure drives organizations and individuals to resist letting go, or, worst case, to push even harder. The truth is, failure is an inherent part of business and non-governmental operations. Instead of viewing failure as a setback, embracing it as a learning opportunity fosters resilience and poses an opportunity for future growth.
Meanwhile I am glad for having recognized that delivering differently, less or less quickly does not necessarily mean that we deliver less meaningful results.
The Benefits of Acceptance and Letting Go
My number one benefit of acceptance and letting go is the liberation of resources: once established, it frees up mental bandwidth which we can dedicate towards other, more relevant priorities. Also, it allows us to stop dwelling on past mistakes or unreasonable expectations, as we manage to disrupt the never-ending train of thoughts.
Ultimately, letting go helps us cultivate a sense of emotional intelligence and self-awareness as it requires acknowledging our limitations, recognizing when to seek help or relinquish responsibility — essential coping skills when operating in an unfamiliar or unfavorable environment.
Also, accepting and being humble will strengthen your interpersonal relationships and contribute positively to a culture of collaboration and trust within diverse teams. Eventually, the more you are in sync with the current situation, the better can you communicate what you really need.
How to Let Go
Based on my experience, practicing skills of acceptance and letting go is a process that requires conscious and continuous effort. So over the past weeks I gathered and tested some strategies recommended to learn the art of letting go in a professional context:
- Identify Attachments: Reflect on your business practices and identify areas where attachment may be hindering progress. This could include outdated processes, unproductive habits, or unrealistic expectations.
- Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness through practices such as meditation, intentional breathing, or journaling. Mindfulness enhances self-awareness and equips individuals with the clarity to recognize when attachments arise. (when working for SAP, I recommend taking the Search-Inside-Yourself Training!)
- Seek Feedback: Request feedback from colleagues, mentors, or industry peers. External perspectives offer valuable insights and can help challenge beliefs or assumptions.
- Focus on the Present: Shift your focus from past failures or future uncertainties to the present moment. Embrace the opportunities and challenges that exist here and now, rather than contemplating on what could have been or what might be.
- Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories along the journey. Recognize that letting go is a continuous process, and each step forward is a testament to your growth and resilience.
In conclusion, by embracing change, releasing attachments, and focusing on a mindset of resilience, individual contributors and organizations can unlock new opportunities for professional but also personal growth. I recommend you give it a go, too!
