Why do we hold on?

Why do we hold on to …

• What we know?
• What we think?
• What we do?

I’ve been pondering why it’s so difficult to let go of knowing, thinking, and habits that no longer serve us. Nature teaches us that there is a flow to life, and part of that flow includes letting go. In Nature, there is an assumption that all of life exists in dynamic movement. Species, plant life, and ecosystems all continually adapt and evolve. Nature knows that everything is connected to a larger environment that is also constantly moving and evolving.

Learning to Let Go

As humans, we don’t always see ourselves or our organizations as part of a dynamic external environment. Instead, we think that as organizational leaders, our main job is to control our environment. That way, we can predict behavior and protect our organization’s profitability. Given this context (and the belief that the external environment is more static than dynamic), it’s not surprising that we have difficulty letting go of processes, structures, and mindsets.

And yet, letting go is an essential way for systems to maintain and build resilience. It’s a crucial component of evolution for individuals and organizations.

Many of our organizations want to become more innovative. Nature can teach us how to build that strength, but first, we must learn the art of letting go.

What makes us hold on?

What causes us to hold on? I think there are several reasons for holding onto the way we think, what we know, and what we do:

• Control. Holding onto what we know, think, and do gives us the illusion of control. We think we can predict events, for example. When we can predict, we can control or influence our lives and our organizations.
• Safety. There is safety in not changing or moving forward into the unknown. We often think, “If I can avoid the unknown, I am safer.” We choose safety over the fear and anxiety associated with the unknown.
• Habit. We all have aspects of our lives that run on habits. When we are busy, we bring our habits to our choices and behavior so we don’t have to think through other alternatives.
• Feeling. Fear, anger, or anxiety over the future can cause us to hold on. If we don’t change and evolve, we can avoid these uncomfortable feelings.
• Possibility. Sometimes, we hold on because we can’t imagine an alternative way of being. If we’re unable to see a new way of being or knowing we often hold onto what has worked in the past, even if it works against us in the present or future.

Times of change require us to let go and try new ways of being. The ability to see other possibilities helps us to experiment with new behaviors and mindsets.

We are faced with many challenges that require everyone to transform ourselves, our systems, and society. To do this, we must reflect on what is no longer serving us and the larger world. We have to learn to let go of how we have traditionally thought, worked, and lived in relationships with each other, our communities, and our planet.

What do YOU think causes us to hold on?