According to the Chinese philosophy of opposite factors, in any situation there are complementary opposites
which give nature its balance. Yin nourishes, sustains and controls Yang and vice versa. As the symbol shows,
pure, absolute Yin or Yang does not exist, there will always be a degree of the opposite contained in anything,
no matter how extreme. This is not about being a man or a woman but about the different flavoured energies
that are within us all. Chinese medicine works to balance yin and yang within the body, Feng Shui aims to
bring that balance to your space.
I was introduced to considering yin and yang when coaching by Maryanne Perry at the New Zealand Coach
Mecca Conference last year. Maryanne described how both energies are different but powerful and
complementary. We will not be at our optimum performance until we learn to tap into both parts of ourselves.
Traditionally objective setting is a yang based activity. We’re taught within business and by motivation gurus
about setting SMART goals (Specific, measurable, realistic and time bound). We’re told to do what it takes,
push ourselves hard and be disciplined. No room for deviation, if there’s resistance we just need to push
through it, carry on regardless.
However extreme the macho environment is the philosophy tells us there must be some yin present. Perhaps
occasional feelings about our goals or the success we will achieve? Perhaps getting side tracked or
postponing taking action? When I worked in HR we talked about ‘duvet days’ (sick leave for those who aren’t
medically sick but who just don’t feel like getting out of bed.) This was about doing nothing day- actually stay
in bed, sleep, eat, watch TV, read, see friends. i.e. focusing on the yin.
It’s interesting that after a period of intense yang activity, we need a rest! It could be a duvet day or sitting on
a beach. If we don’t take this time out we’re likely to experience burn out. It takes a lot of energy to move
forward when we ignore or deny our yin side and our emotions.
When we mainly come from our yin side, we are more concerned with how we feel each moment, we go with
the flow and are aware of our intuition. We may accomplish things but they might not be the things we set
out to do and we might not have taken the most direct route to our goal. Perhaps you have experienced this
on holiday, in a period of independent travel, whilst ill or on a spiritual retreat? After a while of inhabiting
mainly yin, we find a desire to take action and progress, maybe a sense of frustration that helps us to
rebalance.
To bring together both sides for goal setting we need to….
1. Use our yin side to tap into our intuition. Is this goal in integrity for us? Is it something that will bring
us pleasure and move us closer to who we want to be?
2. Use our yang side to clearly define the outcome we desire and how we will know when we get there.
3. Use our yin side to visualise the goal and imagine the feelings associated with achieving it so our
subconscious can automatically draw us towards our outcome.
4. Use our yang side to define action steps and mile stones on the way to success
5. Use our yin side to feel the best time and way to take action, to be in tune with our bodies so we don’t
suffer with stress, to know which people we can relate to best and to have fun with our actions.
6. Use our yang side to develop routines and habits that serve us and bring us closer to our goal.
7. Use our yin side to get in touch with any resistance we might feel. To give attention to these feelings
and accept them so they don’t stand in our way.
8. Use our yang side to maintain focus, stay determined and get back on track when we stray.
9. Use our yin side to be flexible to find creative ways round obstacles and stay in our flow
With this balance, goal setting becomes more about tapping into your natural power and less about forcing
achievements with struggle and sacrifice. Most of us have a preference for yin or yang in different situations
and giving attention to the other energy can be like trying to write with our non-dominant hand! It might take
a bit of practice and some re-education of those around us but it has exceptional benefits for both our
achievements and our sense of wellbeing.
which give nature its balance. Yin nourishes, sustains and controls Yang and vice versa. As the symbol shows,
pure, absolute Yin or Yang does not exist, there will always be a degree of the opposite contained in anything,
no matter how extreme. This is not about being a man or a woman but about the different flavoured energies
that are within us all. Chinese medicine works to balance yin and yang within the body, Feng Shui aims to
bring that balance to your space.
I was introduced to considering yin and yang when coaching by Maryanne Perry at the New Zealand Coach
Mecca Conference last year. Maryanne described how both energies are different but powerful and
complementary. We will not be at our optimum performance until we learn to tap into both parts of ourselves.
Traditionally objective setting is a yang based activity. We’re taught within business and by motivation gurus
about setting SMART goals (Specific, measurable, realistic and time bound). We’re told to do what it takes,
push ourselves hard and be disciplined. No room for deviation, if there’s resistance we just need to push
through it, carry on regardless.
However extreme the macho environment is the philosophy tells us there must be some yin present. Perhaps
occasional feelings about our goals or the success we will achieve? Perhaps getting side tracked or
postponing taking action? When I worked in HR we talked about ‘duvet days’ (sick leave for those who aren’t
medically sick but who just don’t feel like getting out of bed.) This was about doing nothing day- actually stay
in bed, sleep, eat, watch TV, read, see friends. i.e. focusing on the yin.
It’s interesting that after a period of intense yang activity, we need a rest! It could be a duvet day or sitting on
a beach. If we don’t take this time out we’re likely to experience burn out. It takes a lot of energy to move
forward when we ignore or deny our yin side and our emotions.
When we mainly come from our yin side, we are more concerned with how we feel each moment, we go with
the flow and are aware of our intuition. We may accomplish things but they might not be the things we set
out to do and we might not have taken the most direct route to our goal. Perhaps you have experienced this
on holiday, in a period of independent travel, whilst ill or on a spiritual retreat? After a while of inhabiting
mainly yin, we find a desire to take action and progress, maybe a sense of frustration that helps us to
rebalance.
To bring together both sides for goal setting we need to….
1. Use our yin side to tap into our intuition. Is this goal in integrity for us? Is it something that will bring
us pleasure and move us closer to who we want to be?
2. Use our yang side to clearly define the outcome we desire and how we will know when we get there.
3. Use our yin side to visualise the goal and imagine the feelings associated with achieving it so our
subconscious can automatically draw us towards our outcome.
4. Use our yang side to define action steps and mile stones on the way to success
5. Use our yin side to feel the best time and way to take action, to be in tune with our bodies so we don’t
suffer with stress, to know which people we can relate to best and to have fun with our actions.
6. Use our yang side to develop routines and habits that serve us and bring us closer to our goal.
7. Use our yin side to get in touch with any resistance we might feel. To give attention to these feelings
and accept them so they don’t stand in our way.
8. Use our yang side to maintain focus, stay determined and get back on track when we stray.
9. Use our yin side to be flexible to find creative ways round obstacles and stay in our flow
With this balance, goal setting becomes more about tapping into your natural power and less about forcing
achievements with struggle and sacrifice. Most of us have a preference for yin or yang in different situations
and giving attention to the other energy can be like trying to write with our non-dominant hand! It might take
a bit of practice and some re-education of those around us but it has exceptional benefits for both our
achievements and our sense of wellbeing.
The Yin and Yang of Goal Setting
Soul Sanook Coaching
Copyright 2009 Soul Sanook Coaching. All rights reserved. |
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| Written by Debbie Reeds, Life and Executive Coach, www.soulsanook.com info@soulsanook.com |
Yang is associated with the masculine, directness, straight
lines, focus, left brain, logic, clarity, force, competition and
action.
Yin is associated with feminine, meandering, curves, right
brain, sensing, being passive and quiet, cool, soft,
collaborative and gentle.
lines, focus, left brain, logic, clarity, force, competition and
action.
Yin is associated with feminine, meandering, curves, right
brain, sensing, being passive and quiet, cool, soft,
collaborative and gentle.
