The Sleeping Warrior

“With the world changing at such a pace, the combined craft of imagination and application will be vital. We create learning solutions that ignite the mind and empower greatness.”

Can’t believe five months have passed since I wrote those starting lines on the www.imaginocity.co.uk web page. When I created this business, the sole aim was to do just that – develop solutions for companies that meet the needs of an ever-accelerating world. Little did I expect such velocity of change and the likely impact such high improbable circumstances.

Nicholas Taleb told us in his mind-blowing masterpiece ‘The Black Swan’ that random events underlie our lives. When they happen, the impact is huge; they’re nearly impossible to predict; yet after they happen, we always try to rationalize them. I’ve been inspired by those who are in tune with the authors advice and surfing the troubled tides. The companies, contacts, colleagues and friends who have all pivoted to build brilliance and kindness in a landscape of uncertainty - I salute you. 

I spent part of my weekend in isolation sitting on my home office roof pondering personal pivots. I also wanted to get a view of the ‘Sleeping Warrior’, the profile of the north Isle of Arran hills in Scotland as seen from the Ayrshire coast by my home. It is a well-known site that takes its name from a resemblance to a resting human figure. It seemed somewhat symbolic of how I’ve felt for the last few weeks since Covid-19 engulfed our lives. Spiralling and swirling from worrying and panicking to resting and reflecting. I’ve not been posting or sharing on social media. Preferring to chat and spend time on and offline with those who can help wake me and others from this unplanned slumber.

I’m an optimist, like on a ridiculous level of sunshine and stars. When I hit a bump, I’m pretty good at pulling a wheelie and continue down the trail. However, this one felt more like a wall, as I wrote in my journal on day one “Last night I cried, I shouldn’t as I’m lucky, but I did, I'm sad with the world. Uncertainty is playing with me and virtual hugs just ain’t cutting it.” By day two, “I’m calmer today, not firing, but calmer. My run helped, Perry Timm’s post helped, Kirsty and Rory’s conversation helped, Mrs L’s honest chat helped, social rainbows helped.”

All of these interventions show me that kindness counts more than ever. We need to share our stories and lessons as we travel through these times and beyond. We need to awaken the sleeping warrior within each of us. We need to understand our fears and rediscover our soul by being kind, staying safe, looking after yourself and each other.

I'm going to combating personal pivots this week, to shuffle Cognitize cards and their potential for these times. Looking out for tales to help us triumph. Building content and ideas that can help us all to continue to learn. Supporting people in their need for growth, sharing the insight and ideas that I find. Finally, to repeat, repeat, repeat - with as many people, I can reach to help them wake their sleeping warrior.