Have you ever heard of the story of the boiling frog?

If you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will jump out immediately. However, if you put a frog in a pot of warm water, it will stay in the pot. Then, if you gradually turn the temperature of the water up to boiling, bit by bit, the frog doesn’t notice the hot temperature until it’s too late – for the frog.

This metaphor, sad as it is, can be applied to workplace well being. It is easy for workplace conditions that are unhealthy to gradually build up and wear us down and before we know it, we are a boiling frog. Many of us rush through the day rarely pausing long enough to consider both what is happening and how it’s impacting us, often until the impact is more far-reaching.

What could it mean for us, and the cultures of our workplaces, if we had a vision of thriving so clear and compelling that we could take intentional and active steps to create it in life and in work? The good news is that we can do that.

Let’s consider what it means to thrive.

In our work, we use a tool called Be Well Lead Well Pulse ®. This helps leaders objectively assess aspects of how they are, and are not, thriving, therefore enabling conscious choice about actions that cultivate thriving. When leaders thrive, they are better able to lead from a place of balance, resilience, and wellbeing. This makes it easier for them to tap into their internal wisdom, and to lead more effectively.

We look at six areas of thriving and we invite you to consider these in the context of your current experience.

1.  Thriving – Overall, how would you describe your overall wellbeing? How do you feel about your prospects for well being in the future? How well do you bounce back when you are faced with difficulty?

2.  Fuel – To what extent are rest, diet, physical movement, and breath tools used to restore and sustain physical, emotional, and mental energy?

3.  Flow – What have been your experiences with feeling that you are “in the zone” where the work feels effortless and fulfilling?

4.  Wonder – To what degree are your perspectives expanding and views evolving through having new experiences, embracing differences, and appreciating beauty around you.

5.  Wisdom – How do you tap into that wise, innate side of yourself that is      authentically you and that guides you and never letting you down?

6.  Thriving Amplified – How do you impact those around you to help them develop, grow, and create environments that care?

Thriving is a natural human state. We are designed to thrive and our body knows how to respond in conditions that enable thriving. When we are thriving, we can see it through behaviours that demonstrate calmness, clarity, and presence.  Using a model or a framework, like Be Well Lead Well Pulse®, can be helpful when taking a pause and reflecting on what is getting in the way, as well as what is working, for our individual and collective thriving.

The first time I heard of the story of the boiling frog, I thought to myself, “that won’t be me!”.

Guess what?

I became one too.

There is no shortage of evidence that clearly shows we’ve got a lot of work to do to foster thriving at work. In the words of poet Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better..”

We know better. Let’s do better.

Let’s avoid being boiling frogs.