Renewal

As winter approaches, bringing with it snow and cold days, we are reminded of new possibilities, fresh starts and the all important need for renewal. The holiday season, although overwhelmed with busyness and consumption, can be a time to slow down and think of how we can care for ourselves, our families, and our businesses. Inspired by the DreamYard Project in the Bronx, we bring you simple steps on how to renew your organization and team members with energy and creativity making for a productive new year.

Inspired by just that, a dream, the DreamYard was established in 1994 by a group of young people trying to find a place where children were free to dream. The project has since developed into a “nationally recognized community arts organization that uses the arts, digital tools, and social justice to transform students, schools, and communities.” Leaders who work in high-tension and under-resourced organization understand the importance of renewal, not just for themselves, but for everyone they serve.  Our impact directly correlates with how well we are managing the day-to-day stressors. The leaders at DreamYard take the time to care for themselves year round, using some of the following techniques and experiences.

Before introducing these techniques to your team members, it is key to commit to finding the space and time for active participation. Especially around the holidays, it’s easy to move with muscle memory instead of intention. In order for true renewal to happen, designated time and space is critical. Of course, when we create a space for ourselves and our team members, we must remember to make it a safe. We can do this by creating group agreements together.

Opportunities for renewal don’t have to take the whole day, instead they can be integrated into your daily routine. When we make time for ourselves a natural part of our day, it’s easier for us to foster our self-growth and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas for creating a healthy environment:

Free Write: Have your team participate in a five minute free-write. A free-write has no restrictions or target goals. The objective is to write exactly what comes to mind. When we do this, we become aware of what exactly is going on in our lives, especially the things and ideas that we hadn’t taken the time to reflect on before.

Walking meetings: Engaging our body while also engaging the mind can make focusing easier. Though routines are important, changing things up often leads to increased creativity. Use different meeting designs as a way to keep your team engaged and refreshed.

Breathe and stretch: Clearing your mind for just 5 minutes during the workday can make all the difference. Breathe, stretch, and laugh.  Do it individually and together as a team.

Practice Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a balanced art of movement and breath. Practicing with your team can help recenter your energy and prepare you to handle stressful situations with intention and grace.

At MECC, we know how tough it can be to carve out time for daily renewal. We also know how important it is to an organization to have healthy, happy team members. As the new year unfolds, we challenge you to start adding these tips for renewal into your daily routine.

What have you done to renew yourself today?