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.

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."

Stay Calm in Fury

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it. ~René Descartes~

There are times when people will say the wrong thing.  They may or may not mean what they say.  People are poor communicators and they will make assumptions about things.  They think they know what you are thinking and will decide what you are doing without asking questions to get clarity.  Leaders will stay calm when when there is fury around them.  As a leader, don't get pulled into the drama.  Let others get worked up. You can't think clearly when you are crazed with anger. You should stay calm and focused on the goal.  As a matter of fact, the more others get out of control, you should get in more control.  As others shout, you should whisper.  When others try to get down and dirty, you should fly so that you can see the whole picture with a clear head.  When you have a clear head you are a better leader.

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 stay focused and out of the drama that can derail me and my journey."

Focus On What You Can Control

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. ~Author Unknown~

Great leaders only do what they are capable of doing.  There are many things in the world that you cannot control.  Stop trying.  You waste your talents and your energy.  Focus only on what you can control in your life.  First, begin with yourself.  Review each goal and decide what you can do in instead, instead of waisting precious energy on what you can't do.  Then take that step to 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 will focus my efforts on the things I can control."