Make Things Happen

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci ~

If you think instant success is really instant you need to start interviewing people.  Talk to those who have seemingly overnight success and ask them about their journey.  You might hear about struggles and failures or they might tell you that it was easy when they were following the right path.   The one thing in common is they will tell you that you have to do the work.  No one will hand you everything you need to be successful.  Some will have advantage but in the end it's the work that gets the accomplishment.  Great leaders do something everyday to get to their success.  Never mind about your starting point - Just Do It!

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I work towards my success everyday.

Rethink Your Burdens

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” ~ Lou Holtz ~

Have you ever seen those women who carry buckets of water on their heads? Despite the weight they seem to do it with ease. How?  First, they accept that it is a burden they must carry in order to survive.  Why the head?  There are many theories but let's assume it's because that is the best way for them.  Next, is training.  No one picks up a bucket of water and walks for miles without some practice.   Consider the life burdens that you carry with you every day.   Would you like your burdens to be easier? Try using your head.  They are a part of your life, so you are going to have to figure out a way to carry them in peace.  Much like starting to carry water on the head, peace with your burdens will not happen overnight.

Begin with rethinking your burdens.  Practice mindfulness to help in the process.  How necessary is this burden?  Is there a better way to deal with it?  Relative to yourself and others, is this burden as heavy as you think it is?  Can you drop it?  If you can't remove it, right now, how can you make it easier?  Perhaps it not even a burden but a blessing.   Mindful leaders take the time to discard the useless burdens and embrace the real ones as part of life's journey.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will remove unreal burdens and carry the important ones with ease.

Keep Moving

“Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be only afraid of standing still.” ~ Chinese Proverb ~

Patience for what we truly desire is one of the greatest tests. Things just don't always happen overnight, however, as long as you are moving in the right direction things will happen for you.  Take steps daily to achieve.  It is when you stop that you run the risk of never attaining or worse retreating.  It is true that from time to time you need to take a break and assess your journey - but that is not the same as standing still.  You are still moving toward success, just more slowly.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will move mentally and physically toward my goals.

Embrace Your "To-Do" List

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. ~ Confucius ~

How many things have you been putting off?  What kind of excuses are you using?  "I'm too busy."  "I'm to tired."  "It's too hard."  "I'm overwhelmed." "I don't like it."  If you look at all the things you have to do as a negative then it will harder to get done.  If you are overwhelmed break things down into smaller chunks.  If you don't like a certain aspect, figure out a reward or do it first before doing the things you like.  A wise man once said, "When you sit down to eat.  Eat the food you detest first then you can enjoy the rest of your meal without having to agonize." If something is too hard. Get help.  Leaders look at their to-do lists as necessary to success.  Even those things that seem unrelated to your goal are important.  They create learning opportunities.  As a leader, your tasks and responsibilities are not obstacles but stones in the path of your journey.  Some stones will be more appealing than others and some will be heavier but you will need to place them all.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will embrace, with contentment, all that I have to do...as it is part of my journey."

Find Happiness Within Yourself

Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose. ~ C.S. Lewis

Jobs may come and go.  People will come into your life and may leave.  Things can break, fall apart or become uninteresting.  You, however, are with yourself forever.  It's a common saying about leadership in that it is "lonely at the top."  If you are at peace with yourself and you are happy with yourself, then you will never be lonely.  Enjoying the company of others is not the same as needing others for fulfillment.  Seek to be with others but do not depend on them for your own mental health.  Be with yourself and find contentment with your life journey.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will find the happiness I need within myself."

 

 

Lead Where You Have Gone

You can't lead anyone else further

than you have gone yourself. ~Gene Mauch