Play to Win

Where the loser saw barriers, the winner saw hurdles. ~ Robert Brault ~

How do see difficulties?  Are they huge mountains that you can't see a way around?  Do you use words like "impossible" or "never?"  As a leader, take an assessment of your reactions the next time a challenge comes your way.  Do you begin with the possibilities or the impossibilities?  Do you shut down and assume that there is nothing that you can do?  If you find yourself wondering what you can do as opposed to what you can't do - then you are a visionary.  Leaders must strive to always see what they can do in any situation - and never give up on the dream. As a leader, help others to see what is possible.

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 see obstacles and I still move forward."

Lose Worry; Be Inspirational

If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of becoming a prophet. ~Isaac Bashevis Singer ~

Worry is something that will wear others down.  You will begin to make them take on this unnecessary emotion and they will become unmotivated to try to attain goals.  Emotions will have a huge impact on whether you achieve and if people don't think you will succeed then they won't even bother trying. When you are a leader, it is up to you to allay fears.  You are to be the calm person of reason.  You should be the visionary hopeful.  Not in a naive way, but instead, become more of someone who promotes things in a positive and possible way.  Practicing mindfulness will help you visualize achievement! People will want to follow you if they think you can attain success.  It is up to you to have the vision and it’s up to you to inspire others to drive for the end results.  It is then much easier to triumph.

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 inspire others to believe in success.” 

 

Dream in Reality

Faith is a fine invention
When gentlemen can see,
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency.
~Emily Dickinson~ 

When you have your head in the clouds, it makes your view a bit foggy.  Having faith and belief in yourself is extremely important but don't forget to do a reality check.  Dreams with no action is a fool's game.  Blindly going along with no focus on a real vision can lead to disappointment or miscues.  You must be careful to not think that desire will be the only key to success. Opportunities may pass you by as you sit, waiting for your dreams to manifest themselves.  Great leaders will have vision and will make things fly but only while they also have their feet firmly on the ground - searching for the real steps to move them forward.

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 dream and I will keep myself grounded in reality.

Be Humble; Be Noble

Be humble for you are made of earth, Be noble for you are made of stars. ~ Serbian proverb ~

There is a duality that exists in leadership.  You must, at the same time, be a  charismatic-confident-visionary and a humble-inclusive-servant.  Leaders must be touchable but also special.  Do you accept both roles?  Can you see how the best leadership must find a way to practice assertiveness and humility?  People only follow those who are sure of themselves.  They will follow you if you feel you can lead the way.  At the same time, arrogance will not get you the respect you need to lead - think of it more as a special ability that is not about you but about the purpose or mission. Remember, this ability is a gift and you must be gracious.  True, it is a fine line, but there are no options to only be one or the other.  Lead with your head held high and your arms held 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 will be humble and confident in my abilities.

Leaders Don't Say Impossible

I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution. ~Wernher von Braun~

How many times this week have you used the word impossible or some other worthy synonym?  Do you fling it out there casually as a reason to not take action?  When you do use that word do you challenge yourself?   Not that you need to dwell on things that you might not be able to control but perhaps you are too quick to judge the situation.  Successful leaders will commonly think"difficult" but rarely "impossible."  As a leader, if you use the word impossible on something really important, you will be seen as someone with limited abilities...limited vision.  You certainly won't find someone who wants to follow "it can't happen!"  People want leaders who say, "Let's make it happen!"

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 carefully assess whether it is truly impossible or just plain difficult and attainable."

Be Willing to Let Go

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell~

When do your dreams become the obstacles to success?  It's when you are unable to see a new path that might be better than the one you think you should be taking.   If you are too ridge in your vision then you may come up with disappointment.  Take the time today to be flexible in your ideas.   Take in the clues around you. Are you missing something that is right in front of you?  Are you too focused on the moment and task at hand that you cannot see down the road?  Does it really have to be done that way?  Great leaders have specific visions and ideas however, they know that there other influences - ones that they cannot see that can make the difference in success.   It's good to take a take step back from action and control to see where life might take you.

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 let go of rigidity to open myself up to new possibilities."