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.
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
Yang is associated with the masculine, directness, straight lines, force, direct
action, competition, left brain logical thinking and reason.
Yin is associated with feminine, meandering, curves, right brain, sensing, being
passive and quiet, cool, soft, collaborative and gentle.
action, competition, left brain logical thinking and reason.
Yin is associated with feminine, meandering, curves, right brain, sensing, being
passive and quiet, cool, soft, collaborative and gentle.
| Written by Debbie Reeds, Life Coach First appeared in Soul Sanook Newsletter Feb 2009 www.soulsanook.com info@soulsanook.com Back to top Copyright 2009 Soul Sanook Coaching. All rights reserved. |
