The prevailing myth about freedom is that is absolute — no constraints, no limitations, no restrictions.
In practice, we discover this is not freedom.
When I want to push my edge in a skill on trampoline or flying trapeze, I put on a safety belt attached to belay lines. The safety belt is a structure that holds me (with the assistance of my coach), giving me the freedom to experiment with new techniques.
The nervous system needs some measure of predictability to feels safe and at ease. It needs to feel held.
Structure isn’t only physical.
Some examples:
Without constraints on our options, decisions become debilitating — either we end up not deciding at all or, if we do make a choice, we are more likely to second guess the decision.
Without laws we have anarchy and chaos. This is why every culture has at least a basic set of precepts that govern behavior. In the same way, our personal values become the structure that guides us.
Constraints are a driver of creativity and innovation: they force us to find new ways to do things.
Business policies and procedures can help set and manage expectations with clients and customers. A clear return policy helps you make a decision about whether to buy something.
The structure of the seasons or our schedules tells us when to do our various activities and tasks, so we don’t overwhelm ourselves trying to do everything at once.
Just like the banks of the river contain the water so it can flow, we need structure to get into our flow states.
Of course, too much structure can be a problem, but we can’t operate without it.
The key is to find a structure that works for you.
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