Create Space and Time

The following is an analogy from the game of hockey I was reminded of by Brian Hennessy, a customer and fellow hockey coach. For years I’ve coached kids carrying the puck into the offensive zone to skate into an open space. When you’re carrying the puck and a defender pressures you by taking away your space and time, you’re likely to make a poor decision. In contrast, when you can curl away from a defender and get to open space on the ice, you have time to survey the play and make a good decision. The time and space gives you time for quick reflection, allowing you to see things you wouldn’t otherwise see.

The same happens in our lives when we are under pressure and are triggered into an emotional reaction. If we can just create space and time, we can survey the situation and make a better choice. We can see things we would otherwise miss. It gives us a chance to allow our Conscious Thinker to get in the game.