A Meditation For Getting Unstuck From Striving
Jude-Martin Etuka
Founder, Mindfulness Coach @jude-martin.com OD Transformational Leadership EI Facilitator Lecturer, PhD Candidate, Notre Dame I bring CALM to people & organisations using simple mindfulness tools & techniques
"Be. Do not try to become" - Osho
The concept of ‘non-striving’ in mindfulness is a fascinating one, particularly in the workplace, where striving is often seen as the gold standard of success (McClelland, 1988; Hertzberg, 1968). Yet, how often does this constant drive leave us feeling stuck and trapped in an endless loop of doing, achieving, and moving forward - without pause? Often without know how to actually stop.
At an event a few months back, I compared human beings to computers. If not switched off after long periods, they function in a stilted way, and often freeze. The solution? Simply switch the computer off and on again – and it functions like new. Like computers, we need to learn to ‘stop’. To switch off to start. This stopping is a key aspect of ‘non-striving’ in mindfulness (Kabat-Zinn, 2013). After, I finished speaking, a gentleman approached me and said, “Jude, I know I should switch off but I don’t know how to stop, and do not want to know how to either because I don’t know any better”.
Non-striving doesn’t mean abandoning ambition or striving for human excellence. Instead, it offers us a way to get unstuck from the relentless churn of "what’s next." It’s an invitation to let go of the pressure to always push ahead and to rediscover the richness of the present moment – and the excellence that emerges out of that state.
A non-striving attitude asks us to pause, to stop, to acknowledge, and appreciate who we are right here, just the way we are, rather than being consumed by who we think we should become. It’s about living with calm, equanimity, and self-acceptance, grounding ourselves in the present while navigating life with clarity and balance.
In today’s fast-paced workplace, the pressure to achieve, outperform, and constantly strive for more can feel like quicksand -it pulls us in, leaving little room to breathe or reflect. While ambition and goals are good for success, embracing a non-striving mindset can help us step out of that stuck state. Non-striving encourages us to be grounded, to appreciate what is being accomplished, and to find clarity amidst the mental noise.
In the workplace, this shift can unlock new possibilities:
1. Improved Decision-Making - By stepping out of the reactive cycle of striving, you approach challenges with clarity and confidence, free from the fear of failure.
2. Increased Perseverance - A non-striving attitude doesn’t mean avoiding effort. It means accepting that the path forward might include discomfort or difficulty, and that’s okay. Life involves some amount of pain requiring that we do not give up!
3. Enhanced Creativity - When we loosen the grip of "what’s next," we create space for new ideas to arise - naturally. There’s no pressure.
4. Stronger Relationships - Letting go of the urge to prove anything, or to show perfection in a task, allows for grounded and authentic interactions with colleagues, clients, and teams.
This meditation is an invitation to get unstuck. It offers a space to pause, to stop, to reflect, and rediscover what it means to simply ‘be’, rather than endlessly striving to become. As Osho says:
“Be, do not try and become.”
In this practice, we take a moment to step out of striving. We’ll notice what we have and where we are right now, from the constant ‘need’ and ‘urge’ to move forward.
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Go well…
A Meditation for Getting Unstuck from striving.
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