When I skated with the Ice Follies, we trained, rehearsed, or performed for about 50 weeks of the year. We did have a break during Christmas, at which time in my first year I flew to Germany to visit my family who was residing there for a short period.
Naturally, I had my skates with me and one day we went onto an open pond with some extended family members.
I love skating outdoors and was in heaven stretching out on this enormous “rink”, eventually performing some interpretive moves and spins.
My uncle watched me for a bit, then asked how I was able to change speeds in my spin. I demonstrated that I could spin at a consistent speed for a number of rotations, then if I extended my arms and free leg, I could slow myself down. Conversely, if I brought them tight to my body, I could speed up my rotation. I had learned how to monkey with inertia.
Inertia is “A property of matter in which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless that state is changed by an external force.” In order to change the “uniform motion” of my spins, I needed to do something differently.
I’m sure someone could figure out the scientific formula to accurately predict the result of my arms-out/arms-in action, but in essence, “...the moment of inertia of a rigid body is a tensor that determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration about a rotational axis”.
You get up in the morning, do a quick phone check, conduct routine ablutions in the bathroom, put on the coffee, get dressed, make your bed, prepare some food, get the fam ready for the day, and then jump on the computer (or into traffic), respond to an overwhelming number of demands at work only to get home later than planned, then hit the gym or trails briefly, put the finishing touches on that presentation, grab dinner, answer a few more emails, escape with a beverage and some mindless TV, then power nap to wake up the next day to do it again….and the days fall into weeks and the weeks into months. Business as usual? Inertia.
You know change is inevitable.
The question is, are you leaving yourself dangerously exposed to falling victim to blind routine by being in a habitual groove? Or are you your own change agent?
Aha! ~ Make change a habit
The “external force” that causes a change in “rest or uniform motion” is most inspiring when it originates internally. We can exercise and change parts of our being, why not our response to change?
By changing things up voluntarily, you’re keeping yourself alert, nimble, and armed to handle the changes that come unexpectedly.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ~ Maya Angelou
Either way, you’re in control.
Do the rules, conditions, boundaries, expectations, and parameters seem to be changing constantly, messing up your routine? How are you managing that? Let’s blow this topic wide open tomorrow – TUESDAY September 27th – at NOON eastern on Aha! Moment Trailblazers|Facebook
Succeed Deliberately!
Jae M. Rang, MAS
Strategist, Speaker, Author, Mom
