Play, Intuition, and Imagination for Professional Growth
Tags: Imagination, Play, Women Supporting Women, Yoga, Growth

Play, Intuition, and Imagination for Professional Growth

Quilt host Mayuko Okai creates spaciousness for her clients so they can then find creative ways of professional thinking. Join Mayuko for a Quilt chat in LA soon! Quilt Follow Nov 14, 2019 · 4 min read

by Lisette Cheresson

To be successful, sometimes you need to step back from the hard edges of success and instead create space for imagination, intuition, and a sense of play. Studies show that when creativity is fostered and emphasized, professional endeavors benefit : a sense of wonder spurs creative solutions to complex challenges, and teaches us to seek out-of-the-box approaches to problem-solving and innovation.

For Mayuko Okai, Quilt host, yoga instructor, registered dietitian, and intuitive eating coach, this creative approach to entrepreneurship is essential. “Both self-care and play are so crucial to our lives,” says Mayuko, “both professionally and personally. I think we all know this, but sometimes it’s hard to do. When we’re busy and stressed, we tend to forego self-care first — but that’s when we need it most.”

Mayuko notes that a yoga practice can be a great way to begin to tap into the spaciousness of our minds in order to allow room for expansion. By exploring our “inner world through breath and movement,” she says, we are able to observe our mind’s “crazy thoughts, limiting beliefs, distractions, and daydreams.” On the mat, she says, we learn how not to take things so seriously, and how to let go. We are then able to take those learnings into our everyday lives, and apply them to professional pursuit.

Mayuko applies those same principles in her coaching work. In this role, she guides clients to explore their relationship to food and eating, and helps them to heal by holding space to process appropriately.

Imagination vs. Intuition

When we talk about creating space in our lives, we create room for both imagination and intuition. While one may augment the other — and both are important when considering alternative avenues for professional growth — Mayuko differentiates the two by considering their respective sources.

“Imagination can originate from an external source,” she says, which can be completely limitless or altogether fantasy. “You’re playing in an un-contained realm and you can go as far as your creative mind will take you.”

Intuition, on the other hand, “comes from within, from a truth,” she says. “There is a level of self-awareness that allows you to tune into intuition and receive ideas and thoughts. Intuition provides seeds and puzzle pieces,” says Mayuko. “Imagination allows you to explore and play from the seeds.”

Mayuko believes that it’s when you combine both imagination and learnings of intuition that your mind becomes a vast playground. And in this space, you can begin to reap the benefits when applied to professional goals.

The Benefit of Recharging

It’s spending time in nature — particularly in the mountains, beach, and desert surrounding LA that feeds Mayuko’s sense of play and creative purpose, and gives her an opportunity to recharge. “I can’t just crank out ideas from pressure,” she says. This is particularly true for her work, which demands a strong connection to the inner self.

But this kind of internal space is important for all lines of work. Being grounded and continuously seeking out new ways to be inspired is what allows us to keep pushing boundaries and opening doors.

Quilt events are just one unique way in which we can begin to foster a sense of space and play. Mayuko seeks out those kind of authentic connections, where people can come together to be vulnerable and have deeper meaningful conversations. “I think being in a room full of feminine energy is helpful to a lot of people in this way,” says Mayuko. “I appreciate Quilt chats because it really gives everyone the opportunity to share from an authentic place, in an intimate setting.”

This human connection and intentional networking is something we can then carry into our working lives. And this — along with the unintended benefits of tapping into play, imagination, and intuition, can help foster professional growth.

Learn from Mayuko IRL in her 90-day intuitive eating private coaching. Check out her website for more information, or to book a free discovery call.