Yutori.

Or — and then she ( student ) gave all these different definitions of what yutori was to her.

But one of them was… and after you read a poem just knowing you can hold it, you can be in that space of the poem.

And it can hold you in its space.

And you don’t have to explain it.

You don’t have to paraphrase it.

You just hold it, and it allows you to see differently. 

And I just love that. I mean, I think that’s what I’ve been trying to say all these years.

Taking time to admire the beauty and only talking about what’s in my field of vision. 

Creating pockets of time to do so. 

When we step into absorption with nature, as one example, and with no agenda except to see – well, spaciousness opens up.

I can imagine that all of you have had experiences of spaciousness.

It is easy for me to imagine how it happens with a poem, music, forest bathing, looking at the starlit sky or the full moon and other meaningful moments.

Yet this snippet from the interview hints at the many more opportunities we have to savour our everyday.

The second Japanese term I want to introduce is Shisa Kanko translated to English as "pointing, calling, and acting".

It's a kind of checklist, bringing consciousness and mindfulness to whatever you are doing, specifically when engaged in repetitive tasks.

In Japan, Shisa Kanko was first used by train operators and is now widespread in industrial settings. 

A 1994 study by Japan Railways showed a reduction of 85% of mistakes made by conductors when using Shisa Kanko.

If you travel to Japan, you will notice this pointing and calling.

So again, how is this relevant to coaching, you may ask?

Well, as mentioned above, coaching is an act of self-discovery. 

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Practicing Shisa Kanko with your own behaviors, emotions, or beliefs is a good way to start noticing the habits of the mind and to bring awareness to the situation at hand.

Until you notice (point) and name (call) the behavior you want to change, it's impossible to change it (act).

(More about Shisa Kanko in Japan in this article by Alice Gardener.)

• Intentionally build space in your schedule to arrive early, rather than packing meetings back to back with little or no transition or travel time.
• Carry a journal or small notebook with you and regularly write down your thoughts and feelings or creative ideas or use it to explore solutions.
• Notice your breath and body sensations.
• Start meetings with a check-in, one-minute meditation, or a moment of silence.

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• Create time to meaningfully connect with colleagues. Actually get to know them.
• Slow down your conversations to focus attention and make room for thoughtful inquiry, listening, and deliberation.
• Take breaks in your day to stand up, walk around, get outside.
• Create “no email” zones in your day where you can have think time or concentrate planning or creative projects.