Anchors vs Tethers

Photo by Kupono Kuwamura on Unsplash

Think of a hot air balloon tethered to the ground, and a boat anchored to the sea bed.

The hot air balloon tether is usually a rope or cable that holds it in place whilst allowing some movement, whereas the anchor is more like a tool used to resist movement.

In coaching with some of the most inspiring people I have ever met, I often think of what that persons connection to their world is. Is it like an anchor, where they connect themselves to their work and world by sheer weight, by dragging along doubts, fears, regrets with them, allowing those elements to drive them? Or is it a lighter tether, using their values, clarity of thought and sense of self to guide them, acknowledging the things that might hold them back but deciding to rise above them, to allow for them but “act as if” anyway? Ar ether using their tethers as a beautiful constraint?

How we connect ourselves to our work makes a difference.

Allow versus resist. 2 very different approaches to the work that matters.