Front - AZ Teambuilding sro

FREEdOm THROUGH lImITS
ChApTEr 10
FREEdOm
THROugH lImITS
– HOW SETTIng BOundARIES CAn
EmPOWER yOuR TEAm And yOuR lIFE
By mikE CONDuFF
As my youngest granddaughter toddled down the driveway toward
our quiet neighborhood street, I positioned myself for a quick rescue
if needed, but just as she got to the edge of the sidewalk she
stopped ‘on a dime,’ and turned to make eye contact and giggle at me.
“Don’t go past the sidewalk,” had been our mantra ever since she started
walking, and now it was as ingrained as “Don’t eat the flowers,” or
“Don’t hurt the kitty.” The line of demarcation of the sidewalk had become
as much of a barrier for her as if it had a six foot fence in front of
it. By staying on our agreed upon side of it, she knew she was safe and in
my good graces. If she crossed it she was in imminent danger of losing
the privilege of being outside, not to mention being hit by an automobile.
She much preferred playing to being scolded, so willingly obeyed.
As adults we have a tendency to think of boundaries or barriers as limiting;
something to break through or blow by, when in reality a thoughtful
boundary can be incredibly empowering and freeing. For my grand-
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