In days of yore, knights girded up for battle in metal from head to toe. How they functioned at all is a wonder, ensnared as they were by their heavy armor.
In this day and age, we don’t use breastplates or shields to armor ourselves: We put up emotional barriers instead, in a misguided attempt to protect our tender hearts from the slings and arrows of daily living. And then we wonder why we feel so disconnected, so alienated from others, or from our own feelings.
As an actor, I learned that the emotional armor I was piling up in the daily grind of living in New York City was anathema to my work and to my growth. This armor was manifesting itself through bodily tension, which limited me physically and emotionally. Breathing and relaxation work helped me melt away the armor so I could be emotionally available to myself and others. The more I ditched the armor, the more present I could be, and the more powerful my work became. This holds true even now for me, as a coach, a speaker and a trainer. I actively work on ridding my body of its armor so I can be fully present and of greatest service to the people I serve.
Today—right now, in fact—take some time to focus on where you are carrying physical and emotional stress. Is it in your shoulders? Your belly? Your mouth and throat? Physically tense the muscles in that area. Then, with a voiced exhalation (“aaaahhhhhhhh”), imagine that the tension or armor in that area is falling away and clanking to the floor.
Only when you ditch your armor can you be fully present.
Only when you ditch your armor can you be ready to genuinely give and receive.
Only when ditch your armor can you perform at your peak in whatever spotlight moment you’re stepping into– whether you’re conducting or participating in an important meeting, giving a pitch or presentation, or mentoring a valued team member.
Dare to drop your armor, so you can bring the gift of you fully and genuinely to your work, and to the world.