Avoid the Flames

If you treat every situation as a life-and-death matter, you'll die a lot of times. ~ Dean Smith ~

As a leader you can't be a firefighter and treat everything like a fire that must be put out immediately.  If you do this, then you'll never solve problems.  When you are in firefighter mode, all you want is to do is douse the flames.  When you run around and behave as if everything is an emergency then your team will do the same.  Imagine the stress and wasted energy.  Instead become the investigator that finds the root cause.  Be strategic so that you solve problems to the point of no return.  Prioritize!  Choose what needs a quick fix that you can return to later.  Take your time on the really important stuff.  Otherwise...pardon the pun...you will burn out.

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 am calm and thoughtful in my planning and actions."

Don’t Dwell Too Long

Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.  ~ Marcus Antonius ~

Think about the last time you were really upset.  How did it make you feel?  How much energy did you use? Anger, frustration, and stress are normal emotions.  It's OK to get mad.  It's how you use your anger that will make the difference.  Do you use it as an excuse to be a victim?  Try instead to use is it as a motivator.  Think about why you are angry and what you can do about it - not how you can control the other person but, what you can do about yourself.  Great leaders will take the time to experience emotions and then they use it to learn.  Try not to dwell and you'll be stronger.


I experience my anger and I then move on.

Give the Gift of Listening

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.  ~Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Listen to encourage others.  One of the most common reasons people leave organizations is because they feel they don't matter and their opinions aren't heard - they just don't feel as if leaders listen to what they have to say.  Being a good listener is the most important trait of a great leader and listening it one of the most important skills as a leader.  Putting it into practice is essential and difficult. 

When you are under stress, you feel the need to control.  When you are listening you are not in the drivers seat, rather the person talking is controlling the conversation.  It can prove difficult to relinquish that control.    A mindful leader turns listening into a de-stresser by opening the mind to possibilities.  The possibility that the person talking could make your life easier with their solutions.  Don't give a reason for talented people to quit you or your organization.  Be a better listener.

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 offer the gift of consideration and better listening.

Be Realistic About Change

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~ Joan Wallach Scott ~

Do not assume that everyone will be thrilled with your desire for change.  Change is difficult by nature. As a leader, if you only speak about the great things that will come about with change you will be seen as unrealistic and out of touch.  However,  if you lament that change is bad or hard then your followers will most likely mimic you.  You need not use negative language regarding change or it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.   There are pros and cons to change and it's important to address both.  However, know that your followers will be automatically stressed with change, so don't dwell on the negative and don't gloss the positive.  It's all about balance.  Teach them about mindfulness and they will adapt easier.  They will also be grateful for the tool.

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 be realistic about change.

Cut Stress By Giving Laughter

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~ Milton Berle ~

Research is beginning to show that laughing is a full-cortex experience.  This makes sense considering the positive physical and mental effects laughter can have on people.  Laughing can be an instant stress reliever.  If you are having a hard time getting motivated, moving on from a problem or concentrating on a challenge, stress could be one of the reasons since it takes up so much space in the "thinking" areas of the brain.  As a leader, you need to be able to help others think better, so find a way to cut stress. You almost always add stress by the shear nature of being the leader. When you give the gift of laughter, you give others the chance to have a little break from stress.

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 time add laughter to the day."

Reduce Stress Through Humor

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor. ~Max Eastman

April Fools Day can be amazingly fun.  Humor, laughter and smiling take the stress out of our lives.  Sharing laughter makes you a stress reliever.  Leadership should be about taking the unhealthy stress out of situations and making them more motivating.  Happy Aprils Fools Day!

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 look for some humor in my life everyday and not always take myself so seriously."