Humans React to Change
We all know the feeling—when life throws challenges our way, our instinct is often to brace ourselves, dig in, and fight through it. It can be counterintuitive to take a deep breath, allowing for grounded action. In competitive work environments, high-pressure situations, or even personal struggles, it is instinctual to adopt an ‘elbows up’ approach. We push, defend, and resist, believing that if we just try harder, we will come out on top.
But what if there’s another way? What if, instead of tightening our grip, we could loosen our hold and move into a space of grounded action – where effort is even more focused, intentional, and effective?
The ‘Elbows Up’ Mentality: A Stress Response
When we feel overwhelmed or under threat—whether it’s by deadlines, expectations, or uncertainty—our nervous system reacts. We tense up, raise our defenses, and prepare to either fight or push through. This ‘elbows up’ stance is deeply ingrained. It is a survival mechanism designed to protect us from perceived dangers.
While this reaction can be useful in short bursts, over time it leads to exhaustion, stress, and burnout. Our energy is spent resisting rather than flowing, and our effectiveness diminishes. Instead of making progress, we find ourselves stuck in cycles of tension and frustration. And our reactions trigger reactions in those around us.
Shifting from Resistance to Grounded Action
The key to moving from ‘elbows up’ to meaningful action is not to push harder but to shift our approach entirely. This begins with awareness—recognizing when we are caught in a defensive stance and clearing the energetic blocks to see a different path.
Here are three steps to help you shift:
- Spot It: Notice when you are in ‘elbows up’ mode. Are you feeling tense, defensive, or reactive? Are you spending more energy resisting than creating solutions? Simply recognizing this pattern is the first step to change.
- Shift It: Take a breath and notice the underlying beliefs that trigger this response. You can use Logosynthesis® as a guided approach to identify and shift the triggering mental imagery. By resolving the trigger, you are more present for clearer thinking and better decisions.
- Move Forward with Intention: When the blocks are resolved, you can better access your inner wisdom to take action that is purposeful. Grounded action is rooted in clarity and calm, allowing you to engage with challenges in a way that is sustainable and effective. Take purposeful action that is both clear and effective, rather than reactive.
The Power of Grounded Action
One of the most surprising lessons in this shift is that letting go of tension and resistance does not mean giving up. In fact, it’s the opposite. When we release the struggle, we free ourselves to take action that is aligned with what truly matters. Instead of getting caught up in battles that drain our energy, we channel our efforts into what is meaningful based on our innate wisdom.
In work, relationships, and life, flow creates better results with less struggle. It allows us to focus on solutions instead of problems, ease instead of force, and purpose instead of pressure.
Your Next Step
Where in your life are you operating with ‘elbows up’? What would it look like to shift from resistance to grounded action? Take a moment to reflect and you can use the guided video below to experience Logosynthesis®. You can also read “Thriving in our Times: From Reactions to Action Using Logosynthesis” (Caswell, 2020). When you learn to move with ease rather than struggle, you unlock potential that was blocked by the tension and reactive patterns. And in that space, you discover the ease and flow of grounded action.