Supporting Liberation in Systems: A Conversation with Conductor 100, Georgia Toland
Keeping it 100 with Conductor 100!
I recently had a conversation with Conductor 100, also known as Georgia Toland, my Operations Director. Georgia is not only a skilled Project Manager but also a dynamic Healing Centered Coach. She is part of a special group of Healing Centered Coaches who are integrating this approach into their diverse areas of expertise, reshaping the future landscape of this field. At Blooming Willow, I refer to these versatile individuals as coaching "hybrids".
During our recent talk, Georgia discussed her experience of infusing Healing Centered Coaching and Pause practices into business environments. In her work she assists Changemakers in envisioning the future of their endeavors. Through her Healing Centered Coaching training, she encourages them to pause from their daily routines and transition into a reflective "Being" state to enhance mindfulness. This shift helps them slow down, reassess their work, and prioritize well-being and freedom. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
Georgia highlighted the importance of creating environments where individuals can deeply connect with themselves and their purpose.
She also emphasized the need for stillness and introspection in today's fast-paced world to help Changemakers clarify their intentions and align their actions and structures with their fundamental values.
For Changemakers, especially those operating as sole proprietors or small businesses, operational systems can be used to create spaciousness in the professional landscape and allow for better balance.
Learn more about this amazing Conductor below:
Who is Georgia Toland?
I wear many hats, partner, parent, friend, Operations Director, Project Manger, Healing Centered Coach, etc. But right now, what feels important is that I am focusing on being present and existing in the truest sense. I am prioritizing ease, minimalism, and mindfulness in understanding how my inner state influences my surroundings. My intention is to engage in ways that feel right for me in all areas of my life and to move authentically at all times. One of the best compliments I have ever received is “You are always you”.
How would you describe the Pause as a liberatory practice in your own words Conductor 100?
Pause, to me, involves turning inward and disregarding external distractions. It's about being fully present with your Self. When I think of pausing, I think of simply existing -- resisting the urge to constantly do and instead prioritizing being in the moment. Pausing is a conscious choice to step back from the expected routine and embrace a moment, or as many moments as possible, away from societal pressures that often overlook our well-being.
As a Conductor supporting change, I’m curious, what are your observations about our Changemaker Community?
Within the Changemaker communities I engage with, there is a shared understanding that there is an overwhelming amount of work to be accomplished. There is a prevailing sentiment of "if not me, then who?". However, many Changemakers I support are starting to realize that they are constantly giving without replenishing their own resources, resulting in feeling empty and unsatisfied in the work.
I've also noticed Changemakers experiencing inflection points, realizing that they are burnt out, lacking motivation, and wanting something different. Their spark has been snuffed by the magnitude of the work and they are finding themselves going through the motions simply because it needs to be done. This is leading to an imbalance in their lives that does not align with their desire to pursue their work passionately.
Could you elaborate on the benefits you are seeing in incorporating Healing Centered Coaching and Pause practices in your work as a Operations Director and Project Manager?
Firstly, I definitely feel like a bit of an anomaly bridging the gap between two things that many people might not think are related. So I’d like to talk about how my mind actually works to help folks understand the connection as I see it. While many people focus on the outcomes of healing and liberation work, my default is always “okay yes, but how?”. The passion with which Changemakers are doing their work is defined by actions and outcomes without establishing the supports, the “hows”, to make these sustainable.
Organizational systems are one component to creating sustainability. These systems have boring utilitarian purposes (project management, time tracking, invoicing, etc.) but what I find to be the most valuable is that they create efficiencies within the mundane administrative tasks that allow for more time to do the actions and get the outcomes. If you’re not bogged down in a clunky time tracking spreadsheet that isn’t really working for you, you will have more space to focus on the core work of fostering change while creating balance with your needs as a fully functioning human adult. Simply put, organizational systems are an intentional way to build time for Pause practices into professional cultures and systems.
You might ask, how is this related to Healing Centered Coaching? My personal focus as a coach is creating space to just be and, within that space, to focus internally and hear what our Wise Self is telling us. This stillness and introspection is the Pause can help Changemakers clarify their intentions, examine their challenges, remember their whys, and align their actions and structures with their fundamental values. Whether looking at this personally or professionally, when there is space to breathe and think and be it fosters creativity that makes people more nimble within fast-changing environments.
How do you see Pause practices aiding Changemakers in designing holistic operations systems in the future?
I believe there is a connection between our current practices and a more liberated future, and for me, it revolves around spaciousness and grace. Creating space allows Changemakers to examine what isn’t working and explore tools to make those things work better. It allows them to give themselves grace and eliminate the shame/stigma of knowing something isn’t working and not knowing what to do and facilitates discussions on topics like:
· What isn’t working for me right now?
· How effective are my current systems?
· In what ways are my current systems causing issues?
· What changes would bring me more ease and freedom in my work and life?
· What possibilities would arise with the right systems in place?
· What is the truest and most beautiful version of my work?
Any last words of advise?
I believe Pause practice will also support Changemakers to step into possibilities, as they remember that just because they haven’t done it before, doesn't mean it's not possible. And even if things seem chaotic in the present, they can be organized in the future. Investing time and effort into this will pay off significantly. The time spent initially will seamlessly integrate into their routine as they progress, providing them with more room to operate without draining their energy. Embracing this process can lead to a more spacious, efficient, and liberated way of working.
Are you open to taking on new coaching clients who are interested in developing liberated systems?
Definitely. I provide Healing Centered Coaching that offers Simple Systems for Solopreneurs and Changemakers who are creating impact and could benefit from that type of partnership. I am open to assist those who feel stuck and are ready to tackle their challenges, whether that be systems work or just personal growth. My ideal clients are folks that are willing to choose readiness for change. You can sign up for one-on-one coaching with me at Blooming Willow Coaching.
Georgia Toland Headshot by Unknown
Geometric Shape Drawing by Georgia Toland
