Put Yourself Out There

Boldness is a mask for fear, however great. ~ John Dryden ~

You might have heard the phase, "Never let them see you sweat."  There is some value in that statement.  It's not that you want to be false in your confidence.  Instead think of it this way -- there is research that suggests you can become more powerful if you hold yourself in a powerful pose.  So, perhaps if you make bold choices despite your fear, then perhaps you will help reduce that fear.  Confidence comes from experience.  Act as if the first time is really the second or third time.  Great leaders are fearful, just like you.  The only difference is that they aren't timid.  They don't act scared.  They act bold.  Act as if you aren't scared. Act until you become bold - until you become confident.  Put yourself out there - no one will find you until you do.

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 bold even when I am fearful. 

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.” 

 

Courage to Lead

Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and

no concept of the odds against them. ~Robert Jarvik

If you are only looking at the mud in which your foot is stuck, then you will not see the stick that will help you get out.  If you foucus on fear and obstacles, then that is your whole world.  You will be unable to see your success.  Turn your mind to courage and abilities.

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

"I will be courageous and think beyond the obstacles."

Scary Moments

A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice. ~ Edgar Watson Howe, Country Town Sayings, 1911 ~

"Next time, I will_______!" You can fill in the blank.  Experience really makes you who you are as a person, as a leader.  Even when you account for risk, something always happens for which you didn't plan.  Those heart racing moments teach you and embed the lessons you need to remember.  These events are important.  They give you the chance to grow.  As a leader, you can dispense advice and be a great mentor but those that follow you will only grow when they are thrown into the deep end.   Don't coddle those around you.  Challenge them to learn the hard way.  Not the mean way but the way that shows you care about them as people.  When things get hairy - ask them questions that really make them think about what they would do differently.  That is coaching, that is teaching...that is leadership.

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 help others learn from the scary moments.

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.

Make Fear Give You The Edge

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. ~Maori Proverb ~

For many of you there are very real and valid reasons to worry.  Fear keeps you alert and warns of danger.  It is a necessary part of your emotions.  Worry and fear will never go away for anyone.  The difference maker is how you deal with fear and worry.  You can let it eat at you and occupy important areas of the brain - where you need to think.  Use the alertness that fear provides to get focused.  Some leaders feed on danger and risk because it can be very exciting.    As a leader, know that risk means that you have the opportunity to grow and flourish.  With risk comes fear but with fear, can come bravery.  Trust that you will prevail and overcome.  Instead of fear ruling you - use it's energy to create success.

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 use fear to my advantage - with it, I will be more alert and focused."

Fear Can Make You Stronger

Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. ~ Alex Karras ~

When was the last time you exercised your courage?  Each fearful moment in life gives you the opportunity to strengthen your courage.   In these moments you have two choices, retreat or advance.   Retreating can give you the chance to review and decide if there is another way, a less risky way.  This can be a good thing but it will not make you stronger.  Advancing, however, builds your courage.  Every time you practice courage it gets stronger. 

It might not feel like it because when you put yourself out there you might get hurt.  But those injuries do not have to mean that you can't courageous again.  They don't have to be fatal, it depends on how important it is to continue moving forward.  As a leader, you set an strong example if you venture on despite the wounds, despite the fear...despite the "what ifs" - sometimes that is just what you have to do - to become stronger.

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 strengthen my spirit by being courageous.

Choose Inspiration Over Manipulation

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower ~

Motivating other people is part manipulation and part inspiration.  Which one would you rather practice?  Inspiration?  No doubt.  However, have you assessed your behavior lately? How much of your time is spent as a motivator and how much is spent as an inspirer?  Be brutally honest.   No one is in your head right now.  If you answer manipulator more than 20% of your time, you will need to revisit your values.  Don’t make excuses about why you practice manipulation over inspiration.  The first reaction might be to justify your behavior.  Stop.  The second reaction could be guilt or regret.  Stop.  If you are a victim, you are not a leader.

To begin to flip manipulation into inspiration review your values.  Are your behaviors in alignment with your principles?  Next, what is your agenda?  Is it about you or them? Do you feel confident or fearful?  How well do you know the people you lead?  Have you taken the time to know what matters to them?

As a leader, you must operate within your values system.  If you are fearful, act courageous.  Get to know others sincerely and have faith in them.  Lead from the heart and you will be an inspiration.

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 choose to lead with inspiration.”