Who knew a little chalk could reshape your morning routine!?
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Labryinth Lessons
My daughter and I drew a labyrinth on the backyard patio. Unlike a modern maze, the classical labyrinth is a single continuous path that continually loops upon itself until you reach the center.
I started to walk the labyrinth every morning as the kids played in the yard. A week into this new routine, I noticed that my mind was craving its morning roundabout on the patio – I had unconsciously slipped into the practice of a daily walking meditation.
What other rituals should we instill for ourselves and our teams? It may seem daunting, but our fears could be overblown. Our psyches might quickly adopt the new routine.
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It rained as I wrote the first draft of this post. The morning after, we redrew the labyrinth. As I retraced the lines, my daughter added little drawings inside the path. She designated special powers to these sketches, sending us to various parts of the yard if we stepped on them. This simple path became the armature for a new outdoor game.
Don’t be afraid to take the first, imperfect step. The new endeavor could be the foundation for future continual improvements.
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After further rainstorms, we are now on iteration #4. The game is gone, the labyrinth rotated 90 degrees, and the path has been widened to fill the entire patio. Even so, we are at least one version away from perfection. The impermanence of the chalk has been a feature, not a bug. Indeed, the impermanence of the chalk is why we drew the labyrinth in the first place.
Don’t fear temporary changes. A collection of minor tweaks could lead to something bigger. Our buildings may be permanent, but our processes are ephemeral. We should constantly experiment and try something else tomorrow.
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One Question
What big problem needs to be tackled with a series of small steps? How are you gonna take the first step?
Hit reply and let’s chat!
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Three Links
This labyrinth experience was an unintended example of creating a Tiny Habit. Even though I have not been successful at manufacturing new tiny habits on command, BJ Fogg’s book is still worth reading.
A few weeks ago, Arnaud Marthouret shared a few lessons from racing motorcycles. He recently followed up with three more lessons. They remind me of lessons I learned from a much slower activity – Tai Chi.
Check out the Laughlin Labyrinths, created by Wes Dufek. Park safely and find your center in the desert and enjoy views of the backside of some cheesy casinos. It’s a moment of pure Nevada.
… and a drawing.
I was first introduced to the classical labyrinth in a studio taught by Chip Sullivan. It’s interesting to see what stray errata have stuck from my time in undergrad. Two decades ago, labyrinths wouldn’t have been on that list, but here we are.
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Thanks for reading the OPM letter! I’d love to have a conversation if you have any feedback. I hope you found some prompts to stretch your craft and relationships as a curious Owner PM. See you next week!
Stay humble, be kind, and keep experimenting!
Justus Pang, RA
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