At a Worm’s and Snail’s Pace

This week, Mahogany put on her Observation Binoculars (as seen in the photo 😆), and we searched for worms during the rain. It took special effort to actually move slowly enough to find one, and even more effort not to trample it before we could slow down to observe it.

We watched it scrunch up in order to stretch out and move... Ever so slightly.

We hypothesized about where it was headed.

We found dried-up worms and talked about the circle of life. We saw birds with worms and reinforced that conversation 😆.

What made it all possible was moving with intention at a pace that matched our goal. We slowed down, we looked closely, we stopped to observe and assess. We celebrated after we found what we were looking for.

I can’t remember when it started, but Mahogany now “puts on” her observation binoculars during our walks (by creating make believe binoculars with her hands near her eyes). This day she put them on to observe the worm.

On a different walk, we spotted a snail making its way along the path.

I showed Mahogany how it moves unhurried, one slow glide at a time. When we came back from the walk, it was gone. So we did what any good observers do: we looked for its trail. That shimmery slime path it leaves behind led us right to it. Tucked into the mulch. Resting.

(It also feels like such a rare sighting seeing a snail…I feel like I’m always seeing slugs lol, never a snail.)

And of course, there's a coaching/leadership lesson here 😆 DUH.

As this week comes to a close, I'm celebrating that several things have come into view that I've been journeying towards. 🙌🏾

I committed in January to using Q1 to intentionally clarify my mission and purpose, making sure people knew and understood them. I also began putting systems in place, which required some time and financial investment, so that when things picked up, I'd be ready to handle them.

My moves weren't big and bold, but they were deliberate and steady.

I wanted to do more things, but I also knew that doing my best with what I had was enough. I had faith that by doing all that I could, I would be provided for.

From my work on sustainable leadership, I also knew that operating beyond my capacity would mean showing up in ways that weren’t aligned with how I wanted to be and how I wanted to treat people. Rushing my daughter around, having unrealistic expectations for her, so that I could squeeze in this opportunity and that. Or not showing up at all because I didn't have systems in place to catch the request, the appointment, or the next steps. Some of these I had to learn from experience.

Slow and steady, at a snail's and worm's pace, I've begun to rebuild my business. I’m doing work I feel called to, rather than work people call me to do.

And now? People are booking me. I'm being approached to do work around sustainable leadership practices. I'm returning to work with former clients to explore culture, community, team dynamics, and systems that impact retention and leader sustainability.

This journey has helped me clarify who I am, what I love to do, who I enjoy working with, and what I'm good at, but have no interest in doing. I'm in my zone of genius, and that feels amazing. And it felt amazing even during the quietest and leanest times, because that alignment is freeing. It's literally one of the reasons I started this business.
Freedom to choose what I say yes to and what I say no to. Freedom to move at a sustainable pace. That feeling, that life, I'm willing to sacrifice and struggle to achieve and maintain.

I'm a catalyst for sustainable leadership. And I'm grateful to God for this journey of business development that's helped me come home to myself.

So what about you?

Maybe you're in your own season of slow movement right now. Maybe you're not sure where you're headed or if anything is actually happening. But I want to offer you this: the snail left a trail. Even in its slowness, there was evidence of progress. Even while it was resting, it had already moved further than it realized.

What's your slime trail? What evidence are you leaving behind that says: I was here. I moved. I'm still going?

If you're ready to explore what sustainable leadership looks and feels like for you, here are two ways to work with me:

• Work with me directly: I'm now booking consulting projects, speaking engagements, and workshops for leaders and organizations who are ready to build teams and cultures where people can actually sustain their best work. Let’s connect.

• Start your journey within: If the timing isn't right for us to work together, the Abuntu Affirmation Card Deck is a daily practice tool built around the same framework I use with clients. It's a beautiful place to start. Grab yours at AffirmationCardDeck.com.

Until next time — keep moving at YOUR pace.

Rest when the mulch calls you.

And trust that you're leaving a trail worth following. 🐌🤎

— Tamisha