“A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here
A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels…”
Emily Dickinson (1834)
Spring feels like watching a newborn grow and thrive. Every movement is like a seed of hope, every phase is a dance of joy, but each step is taken with caution and care. As spring moves forward, it becomes more confident, gifting us with an abundance of colors, sounds and views. No other season is filled with as much hope and anticipation as spring. With fresh enthusiasm, we seek new beginnings and dare to dream.
To help take the most advantage of the sweetness of spring for you and your team, we’re sharing inspiring ideas to harbor your aspirations with a renewed sense of purpose.
1. Start Something Creative
Spring is the most inspiring of all seasons, providing the perfect landscape to contemplate on creative pursuits. The healing power of creativity has been confirmed by several studies. Creativity can be very calming as it lowers cortisol, anxiety, and stress.
Creative expression has such a profound impact on igniting your passion and imagination. Looking for creative inspirations to start something new? Thinking back to what excited you the most when you were a child is a pretty good start. Singing, dancing, painting, playing an instrument … If nothing comes to mind, think of an activity you love doing so much that time flies by without you even realizing it. It’s never too late to sign up for that evening art class. You can also take advantage of the many online resources that help learn a new creative skill on your preferred time from the comfort of your home.
At work, find ways to show and promote creativity:
- Create a compelling and exciting vision
- Increase your risk tolerance to try new things
- Encourage innovative problem-solving within the team
- Welcome new changes and ideas
- Challenge conformity and invite all team members to speak up
2. Start New Goals and Habits for You and Your Team
What was the longest you were able to stick to your new year resolution? An online poll shows that the average new year resolution lasts only about 3.74 months. So, January may not be the best time to set new goals and resolutions.
Setting new goals in spring, on the other hand, gives you more time to consider all your realistic options. There is more daylight and sunshine to spend time outdoors, boosting our moods. There is more energy and social interactions to work towards goals. And since it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic as a habit, the likelihood that you stick to your new healthy habits such as a new movement routine, reading and a quality diet over a more extended duration, is greater.
Recognize the need for new goals, behaviors, and habits within you team as well. Creating development plans for your team to help them set new goals is an excellent way to demonstrate leadership and make employees remain loyal to the company.
3. Focus on Joy
Spring is all about change and new energy. As you move about your day, travel to and from work or go shopping, think about the surrounding landscape. See how many changes you notice that bring you joy, from things you can see, smell, touch and hear to things you can sense and feel: from birds chirping and trees blossoming to the sense of lightness in the air. Focusing on gratitude and positivity will allow less room for negative thoughts to influence your day.
4. Find Inner Peace
Several studies have linked fresh air, sunshine and time spent in nature with a more peaceful body and mind. Spring provides us with more opportunities to find peace and serenity in nature and boost our mental and cognitive health.
Get out of the office for a short walk when you can. Feel the spring breeze and enjoy the lightness in the air. And while you appreciate your freshly found peaceful moments, make it a habit to stay away from conflict, and anything or anybody that disturbs your peace.
5. Declutter, Clean and Tidy
Spring cleaning may be the most ancient decluttering tradition known.
But even today, spring cleaning just makes us feel good. It’s also great for your health, safety and even your wallet! Removing dust and mold helps prevent allergies. Cleaning ducts and fireplaces lowers the risk of fire. Cleaning filters extends the life of your appliances. Most importantly, cleaning and decluttering has a tremendous impact on your physical and mental health. It is a great form of exercise and movement. It also helps release happiness hormones like endorphins that reduce stress and anxiety in addition to increasing focus and performance. Give your office and living space a spring cleaning treatment. Get the feather duster into all those corners, wash the windows, get rid of the clutter you no longer need. Make your space sparkle and shine.
The melting snow that reveals greening grass and the spring sunshine that brings buds out on the trees are all promises for new things to come. Spring is a reminder that each and every day, and each and every season is an opportunity for renewal of unaccomplished goals and birth of new ones: Not only for you, but also for your team and organization.