Word Of the Week #61: Spontaneity

May 12, 2009 by  

Spontaneity – the ability to go with the flow.

Do you find yourself so caught up in getting things accomplished or completing your to-do list that you have a hard time going with the flow? Do you get irritated, get angry, or even worse, go into fits of rage when your plans don’t work the way you want them to?

Spontaneity is all about allowing yourself to accept what the universe puts in front of you. Sometimes you have no control over it. I love completing my to-do list and I love it when things work exactly as I have planned. But there are just times when no matter how hard I try, I encounter road blocks.

In order to deal with those little frustrations, I came up with a game that I call “Planned Spontaneity.” This game has saved me so much stress and unhappiness that I had to share it with you.

How many times have you had interruptions when you are traveling? I can’t tell you how many times one of my flights has been delayed or cancelled. And there isn’t anything that I can do about that. I have no control over the weather or mechanical failures.

And yet, I have seen people go into fits because a thunder storm has grounded the plane. Who wants to get on a plane that might crash? It always amazes me to see grown men and women have what appears to be a temper tantrum in public.

Before I travel for work or when I am on vacation, I go right into my game of “Planned Spontaneity.” When I set myself up to accept whatever happens, it is so easy to go with the flow.

Where in your life could you benefit by “Planned Spontaneity?” This week focus on going with the flow. How does it make you feel to have no set plan and to experience being in the moment?

Reader Responses

“My mother used to have a great saying relating to unexpected turn of events: “who knows what it is good for?”. — Kurt Bishofberger

“Susan, all your perks are read and acknowledged each time. Thanks for lifting my spirit and opening my thoughts for more edcuational info.” — Rosey Hawes

“This was a good one. You could have added something like, plan on having a paperback with you that you can read and get enjoyment out of it while waiting. Or, go buy one. Of course, going with the flow doesn’t always happen in an airport, now does it?!” — Elaine Hall

“I call this “Strategic Tunnel Vision.” This is when you are so focused that you do not leave any time open for Spontaneity as you have mentioned. In our business if you don’t learn how to go with the flow and how to teach this skill set, then you will die on the vine. Good stuff!” — Don Vance

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