Take a Chance

Thrivers constantly re-invent themselves, they are mentally agile and willing to risk. ~ David McNally ~

You are just going to have to put yourself out there.  Turtles don't get anywhere until they stick their heads and legs out of their shell.  Get moving, get to it, get out there!  You will not truly grow until you have taken a chance on yourself and your ideas.  Never fear that an idea doesn't work, as you can always find another one.  All great leaders have taken a risk on more than one occasion! They adjust and try again. It starts with being mindful and having confidence in you own abilities.  If you don't get out there and try, then the world will never benefit from your gifts.  Be willing to risk.

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 take chance in order to thrive.

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.

Trust in Experience

Experience makes more timid men than it does wise ones. ~ Josh Billings

A young child will not go near a stove after they have been burned.  Even if you try to show them how to be near the stove safely.  They trust their experience more than a parent, thus, making them more timid and unwilling to try again.  As you become older you tend to become more risk adverse than when you where younger.  This probably explains why people such as founders of Dell, Facebook and Google were young when they started their companies.  They didn't yet know they could fail.  You will never be a strong leader if you shy away from experiences.  Once you become a leader, you must encourage those that follow you, to be willing to touch the stove again.

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 trust in my experience and

show others how to trust in their experience, too."