I would like to present you with a radical notion: until we change our relationship with nakedness, and particularly our own nakedness, I don’t think we will ever access deep part of ourselves and our psyche (soul in Greek) that demands to be explored.
By being naked, I mean in your own terms, but whatever it is, I suggest you ‘push your envelope,’ and ‘lean in’ to the edges of your discomfort. Give it a try. Remember it’s all about the experience. Take small steps and see what happens!
Let me explain: you have probably experienced some form of therapy, courses or books on self-development, yes? And in your business lives you’ve probably been on courses, attended breakaways and perhaps received coaching, and so on.
How has that impacted you? How has it transformed you? In my experience of these things, I have had insights and breakthroughs and realisations which have been wonderful and useful in many instances. It’s also been hard work, painful and daunting at times. I often have great intentions of taking inspired action when I leave, but often it simply doesn’t happen. Life somehow just catches up and I ‘get busy.’
But I have never done any of these naked, until now.
When I (we?) get naked there is nothing to hide, surprise, surprise! We can bare our souls to a therapist but if we do it with clothes on I would argue it’s going to have limited results because we are always protected and shielded, by external coverings in the form of clothes and internally by what we are unwilling to really ‘go naked’ on. The result is often ‘marginal improvements,’ as opposed to out-and-out transformation.
Bear – or bare – with me, please?
I talk about two types of nakedness: ‘internal nakedness’ and ‘external nakedness.’ Internal is of the heart: courage, vulnerability, having courageous conversations and so on. ‘External nakedness’ is yes, being physically. I think the two are not mutually exclusive of each other. If we do them together the results are both dynamic and dramatic.
I can imagine your response to this article so far possibly saying this is a ridiculous idea or it’s not practical or, ‘Simon has had (another) midlife crisis.’ Or perhaps not?
Not long ago the idea of nakedness in the way that I’m talking about it now was utterly ridiculous and completely unknown. Actually, it was terrifying.
And then one day I was invited to a ‘naked poetry’ event where we were invited to deliver authentic and vulnerable poetry that we had written naked, in front of strangers.
Once the initial weirdness and discomfort had left there were just people in a room exposing themselves physically, emotionally, courageously and vulnerable. It was remarkable, inspiring and very grounding.
In that moment the power of nakedness as a medium for gaining access to my authentic self became visible. It was a revelation. I noticed all those things that stopped me in life were the same things that stopped me being naked. I had never felt so alive, so uncomfortable, so joyful and so at peace.
Whilst I had written a book on courage called, The Art of Courage,’ which you can find here, the idea of being naked in a comfortable (okay, slightly uncomfortable!) setting that was not sexual, drink or drug-related, was about as impossible as imagining that I was flying to Mars for the weekend.
I realised how much shame and trauma I carried from past comments of ridicule, criticism and unkindness growing up, about my body. I had witnessed it in others and even administered it to others, or at the very least thought about it and judged others. Having spoken to many people, I now know that this is a common phenomenon. I don’t believe there are many (any?) people who are genuinely accepting of their bodies. Something is either too big, too small or not firm enough.
Our mind is wired for survival safety security and comfort. It has absolutely no interest in pushing our boundaries and yet if we do not do this we are destined for the status quo for homeostasis for a life unlived and unexplored.
So, after years of challenging my boundaries, particularly in the realm of public speaking where I have done over 1,000 talks to groups of strangers to pedal the virtues of courage, it was time to take it up to what feels like its highest level. And I came up with this process, which I call the M.O.J.O process of Getting your Mojo Back. This is now the main aim of my work. When we ‘have mojo’ we can ‘move mountains.’
I describe Mojo as having MOreJOy, versus NOJOy! Another way of saying it is, we have more Passion, Energy, Authenticity, Courage and Humour.
If you are interested in learning about The M.O.J.O Process for Getting Your Mojo Back and Transforming Fears into Opportunities, pop me an email and I’ll send you the 4-step process: [email protected]
Why not book me to come and speak at your organisation, conference or team? You can fill out an enquiry form here.
