Shut your mind up!

The word 'listen' contains the same letters as the word 'silent'. ~ Alfred Brendel ~

The best way to listen is to not only silence your mouth but silence your mind.  You often let your own biases and agenda keep you from listening. How do you develop as a leader if you are never silent around your those that lead.  Next time someone has something to say, shut down your feelings and open up.  In addition, don't always contribute...ask questions instead. You can't truely listen if you are too busy prepping in your mind what you want to say.

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 quiet my own thoughts when someone is talking."

No Excuses

One of the most important tasks of a manager is to eliminate his people's excuses for failure. ~ Robert Townsend ~

The difference between explanations and excuses is credibility.  How do you gain credibility?  By focusing on what you can do as opposed to what you can't do.  Never point fingers.  Loose the blame game.  Take ownership.  Always renegotiate.  Find a new path.  Ask questions.  Trust.  Try.  Coach. Turn frustrations into motivation.  Stay positive.  Don't complain.  Find humor. Make commitments instead of promises. Read the definition of credibility and live up to it, so you can teach others how to do the same.

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 build credibility in myself and others.

Question Your Beliefs

This is how humans are:  we question all our beliefs, except for the ones we really believe, and those we never think to question.  ~ Orson Scott Card ~ 

To succeed you must question the validity of your beliefs.  Holding steadfast to some of your beliefs will keep you from moving forward.  Always be on the watch for shifts in paradigms.  What you are working on today, what you are thinking about today will be different in the future. As a leader you must always be willing to change your mind and grow. Otherwise, whatever organization you run, whatever team you lead  will stagnate or worse...fail.


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 learn to question my beliefs to order to grow."

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."