Last night my wife and I attended the Holiday Party for the National Speakers Association – Georgia chapter. As always, it was a great time, with non-stop enjoyable conversations. I really am thankful to have that group of people, and the NSA organization, in my life.

When I joined NSA more than fifteen years ago, I was a wide-eyed twenty something with abundant excitement and little real knowledge about the profession of “Speaking.” Going to those first meetings, I was a little intimidated but mostly curious and awed by the talent and variety of interesting characters … some of which are still members today.

NSA is a remarkable group. People openly share all of their information, business practices, and trade secrets with one another. The support is heartfelt and genuine. After I got over the initial shock and suspicion, I’m convinced that NSA cut my learning curve by several years. But, more importantly, it gave me a group of people to consider colleagues, as well as friends, as we all seek to become better over time and help others to do the same. In many ways, although I am one of the group’s veterans now, I feel that I am still that beginning student. There is no end to learning in this remarkable, ever changing profession. Learning, in any meaningful endeavor, is a lifelong process.

I’m hopeful that you have an association of people like this in your life, too. That’s how we stay connected, accountable, and motivated to continue past our discouragements and challenges. We can’t do it alone.

For the past five weeks, I’ve been keeping regular attendance at the Yoga Source Studio near my home and office. It’s funny, but I have driven by this place for years, thinking I really should go take a class. Though I had only had limited experience with yoga, each time I tried it I came away with the realization that it would be an awesome component to my practice regimen.

As an I get older and continue to perform acrobatics, maintaining my fitness and overall flexibility is increasingly important. Flexibility, I am convinced, is one of the most important ingredients to injury prevention and recovery. I was also very interested in the benefits I would gain from getting better control and capacity of my breath. As a speaker, and especially a speaker who does back flips and handstand push ups, being able to manage my breathing is a rudimentary skill to enable me to deliver a powerful, persuasive flow of words.

Already, after just a month on the mat (2-3 times a week) I am noticing a huge benefit. Plus, I really enjoy the “escape,” being able to devote an hour apart from the phone or in-box and simply listen to the quiet voice within. Would that be the within-box? I don’t know.

In Off Balance On Purpose, I write a lot about the “lifelines” – the vital connections between the spheres of life. For me, the practice of yoga is strengthening the lifeline connections between Health–Spiritual Growth–Personal Interests. As I get to know other people in the class (and will also be bringing my wife, Sheilia, with me on Thursday), it will also be a way to strengthen some important and new Relationships.

In what ways do you need to remain flexible? How are you preparing for it? If you read my writing, you probably get the idea that everything with me is a metaphor for something deep and meaningful in life. Guilty as charged. But it is certainly true that we need to stay flexible – in our thinking, our abilities, and our approach – if we are to have remain adaptable, successful, and happy.

Take a deep breath. Relax. Lean forward. Stretch. Doesn’t that feel good?

Do you have tension in your life?

Let’s see. Between economic uncertainty, job pressures, and the multitude of circumstances competing for your attention, I’d say it’s a safe bet that we all experience the daily tugs of tension.

And that is a good thing.

Tension is natural, normal, and a vital component of a healthy, enjoyable, prosperous life. The key is to distinguish between the helpful, positive tensions that pull us forward toward improvement and the negative, destructive tensions that sabotage success and happiness.

As Glinda, the Witch of the North, asked Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”, we should ask the same of the tension in our lives. Is it good tension or bad tension?

Bad Tension

Bad tension may manifest in our lives as stress, strain, or sickness. The prolonged presence of these negative elements can take an enormous toll, manifesting in serious physical ailments or depression.

You need to diffuse the negative tensions in your life. Recognize and reject them. And note that, in many cases, these factors are self-inflicted — a byproduct of our thinking, our actions, and our indecision.

Stress: (n) a biological term, meaning “The consequences of the failure of a human or animal to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats.”

It is not the circumstances or threats that bring about stress. It is our failure to act!

You must take action to diffuse or remove the bad tension in your life.

1. Engage in physical exercise.
2. Breathe deeply and purposefully.
3. Make the decisions you have been forestalling.
4. Refuse to accept the burdens that you know will bring about unwanted, negative tension.
5. Replace bad tension with good tension.

Good Tension

Tension can be a positive force that helps you understand your relationship relative to others and to life’s events, challenges, opportunities, and questions. As the “magnitude” of the opportunity or challenge increases, so will the tension. For example:

• The tug of competing forces (pros and cons) provides clarity relative to your position.
• The pull of a compelling opportunity draws you forward into uncertainty.
• The desire to become better causes you to put forth extra effort, learn, and improve your abilities.
• The connection you feel with others (a force created through communication, understanding, and shared experiences) serves as a guide or comfort when you are physically separate or pursuing different agendas.

When the tension is increased  — it may stir your emotions and generate some uncertainty. This, too, is normal and natural. You may notice that your existing doubts become harder to overlook. Your fears inflame. Your beliefs and abilities become tested.

I say bring it on! Even then, it is not only possible to relax and embrace uncertainty. It is a mandate!

When the stakes are real and immediate you can turn your tension into a heightened focus. Build the confidence to overshadow your doubts. It’s not as though they will go away completely. But doubts can drift into the background noise just long enough for you to take the next purposeful step down your own version of a “yellow brick road.”

Keep leaning forward,

Dan