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By Liese Gardner
Is a certain amount of tension good for us? It is if we are doing something as grand as engineering a bridge. And we want tension if we are doing something as menial as putting our hair in an elastic band. But do we want the kind of tension that unsettles us?
In the magazine Wired I found a small item about a little design trick they always do on the cover — they add a band of uncomplimentary color that starts at the spine of the magazine and continues to the cover.
“It’s called the wrong bar,” the article states. “And it’s part of a concept dubbed The Wrong Theory: perfect a design, then make one wrong move. It’s often done for tension. We’ll add a color that is hostile to what is otherwise a pleasing design.”
The effect is something that draws the viewer in, creating interest in the design.
So it follows that adding the right type of creative tension in our lives creates interest as well. A yoga instructor asks a class to demand more from a pose; to seek inner confrontation in a physical format in order to challenge oneself. Aggression in a practice about finding peace? Creative tension.
Without going outside our comfort zones how can we improve and evolve? A little tension keeps us from feeling settled. Blame our nomadic beginnings, our conquering natures and our constant search for something bigger than our selves. Whatever our destiny holds, it seems a foregone conclusion that we will always demand more. So why settle? And don’t worry about making a wrong move. As in design, it can only make life that much more interesting.
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This post really struck something in me, as I was thinking about relationships, friendships to be precise. How refreshing it is to have someone with whom you can collaborate AND have that same someone challenge you. It's not always easy. Sometimes the conversations are really tough, but the tension yields real results. Relationship-wise, I think the potential for the "Wrong Theory" to push people into unchartered intellectual and professional territory is great. I believe this kind of tension is even that much more important given the communication tools we have readily available.
I love how Natasha interpreted your insights and we were having that very conversation tonight and she mentioned this post so I wanted to come and read it.
In my professional relationship and personal friendship with Natasha, we do PUSH each other out of our mutual comfort zones and it is scary sometimes to go there but, from my perspective, I know that I am living proof of the benefits of this kind of exercise and collaboration. And I know I can do the same for her and push her to be her best.
This model of collaboration and friendship is a blueprint for what I seek in relationships going forward in work and life. People I can be myself with but who will push me and challenge me to always BETTER myself and will have the confidence and mutual TRUST to allow me to do the same for them.