Today I attended a workshop titled “Be Above the Line” which was conducted by the company BEabove Leadership. I really enjoyed it and felt that it happened to me in a timely manner. In this workshop we were introduced to the 7 levels of effectiveness. Before I go on here are the 7 levels:
7-Synchronicity
6-Innovation
5-Engagement
4-Courage
________________________________
3-Frustration
2-Fear
1-Hopelessness
6-Innovation
5-Engagement
4-Courage
________________________________
3-Frustration
2-Fear
1-Hopelessness
Level 1-3 are considered levels in the “red zone” and levels 4-7 are considered to be in the “blue zone.” Ann, the workshop facilitator said that while red doesn’t necessarily mean negative and blue positive, being in the red means an individual is choosing to ground themselves in fear. She/he will be manifesting reactive, stressful, and violent energy to act from. While being in the blue means an individual is choosing to ground themselves in love and will be cultivating proactive, positive, and non-violent energy to act with.
In the workshop I went through a number of exercises (which I will not account here) and just feel so grateful I had this time to reflect and think meaningfully about going to Laos. One of the exercised that I completed that I want to share is the one with the following diagram.
We were instructed to focus on a situation and ask ourselves what percentage are we at in the blue vs the red. The situation I chose was going to Laos. While completing this exercise I started articulating what my fears are about going to Laos and I want to share them here so that I can work on being in the blue if I were to encounter these situations.
Big Thank You to Lisa my workshop partner for completing this diagram for me!
My fears about going to Laos:
Rejection- I’m afraid my students won’t accept me as their teacher because of my ethnicity and nationality.
Ridicule- I’m afraid people in Laos will see me as inadequate or inferior because of my family’s history.
Egotism- I’m afraid that my domineering/lone ranger work style may not make me the best person to work with.
Boredom/Loneliness- I’m afraid that I won’t be able to deal with the downtime I have to myself and that it may worsen my homesickness.
Suspicion- I’m afraid that all the horror stories my mom tells me will come true. What if it happens to me? I feel like I can’t trust anyone. What if this gets in the way of my attempts to build relationships with the community?
Ok. There! I’ve said it. These are my fears about going to Laos (and there’s probably more). And I know now that by sharing them I can start thinking of ways to work with them. I really liked this quote I got from Ann:
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
I will definitely remind myself about this. I’m hopeful that articulating my fears will help me to conquer them.
Rejection- I’m afraid my students won’t accept me as their teacher because of my ethnicity and nationality.
Ridicule- I’m afraid people in Laos will see me as inadequate or inferior because of my family’s history.
Egotism- I’m afraid that my domineering/lone ranger work style may not make me the best person to work with.
Boredom/Loneliness- I’m afraid that I won’t be able to deal with the downtime I have to myself and that it may worsen my homesickness.
Suspicion- I’m afraid that all the horror stories my mom tells me will come true. What if it happens to me? I feel like I can’t trust anyone. What if this gets in the way of my attempts to build relationships with the community?
Ok. There! I’ve said it. These are my fears about going to Laos (and there’s probably more). And I know now that by sharing them I can start thinking of ways to work with them. I really liked this quote I got from Ann:
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
I will definitely remind myself about this. I’m hopeful that articulating my fears will help me to conquer them.
I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
William Allen White
William Allen White