In 1977, Ilya Prigogine was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on “dissipative structures.“  Prigogine contends that because dissipative structures are disturbed i.e. shaken up by definition, they are able to change and evolve.  On the other hand, those structures that are too well insulated, and thus unable to be disturbed, will simply stagnate and die.  According to Ilya,  friction is a good thing!

I was reading about Ilya’s work and got to thinking about how friction has served my practice well over the years. Here’s what I’m talking about . . . .

When my referral sources are disturbed . . . they call me to consult when they are in over their heads.  They call me with referrals. Or, they call me wanting referrals.  They do something different.

When my community is disturbed . . . by elections, substance abuse, suicides, natural disasters, my community gets busy!  It get activated! And, they do something different, too.

When my clients are disturbed . . . they are motivated to pick up the phone and call me. They make appointments and come to see me. They follow through with their homework in between sessions.  And, if they are disturbed with me, the tell me!  And, all of that serves me (and my clients) well.  They do something different.

And, when I am disturbed . . . I seek additional information.  Or, I take action.  I tell someone just to be heard.  I take a class or seek consultation. I learn a new strategy.  I, too,  do something different.

Although I’m always up for a new adventure, I must admit, I don’t always relish the unpredictability of my work being disturbed.  But . . . does it help in the long run?  Keep me on my toes?  Sharpen me mentally and emotionally?  Help me stay flexible and alive in my practice?  You bet!  And, that flexibility and willingness to do something different helps my business stay vibrant and thriving.

So maybe tomorrow . . . when chaos looms out of no where to disturb my daily practice . . . . Maybe, just maybe I’ll remember Ilya Prigogine’s ideas and instead of digging in my heels and whining, I’ll say “thank you” for my dissipative practice and the wisdom to see the gift!

How about you?  Got a dissipative practice?  Or have you gone rigid and stagnate?  Needing a little help loosening up and learning to ride the waves?  If so, email me!  I’m happy to help you get unstuck and start enjoying the fruits of a little disruption.