Every hunt has a moment that forces you to make a decision. Do I follow the path or make my own? Do I let the arrow fly or hold on for a better shot? We make hundreds of decisions every day, and some of the hardest can be whether to seize a moment or just let go.
We all get snagged on thorns now and again. I was recently consulting with a team and out of the blue, one of the guys violently rejected an idea we were discussing. This was a moment where the room got tense, and it felt like a confrontation was unavoidable. But just as quickly, and as if the entire room let out a deep breath, we all let it go.
Not every shot is worth the loss of an arrow. Just like in Monopoly, this guy needed his “get out of jail free” card and the group almost instinctively gave it to him. He came up to me afterwards to say thanks and I just simply said, “Let it go, we all did.” I know of companies that give “get out of jail free” cards to employees to inspire creativity and boost productivity.
Take a quick replay of your last few weeks. Were there moments when letting go would have worked better toward hitting your targets? When a “get out of jail free” card would have reduced your stress and opened your mind? Let go of the moments that do not serve your purpose.
Sometimes it is easier to think that the strength is in the fight. But finding the strength to let go is easier than you might imagine. Let go of battles that end in discord, let go of uncomfortable memories, let go of the arrows you might have lost. Letting go gives you the freedom to be ready for the pivot in your hunt for the things you want most.
