Lead With Your True Self

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away.  ~Raymond Hull

While it is important to change and grow we must remain authentic to our true selves. Change on the advice and suggestions of others.  At the same time, be careful of who's advice you take and why you are changing.  You can not lead if you lose yourself in the process.  Then, how would you manage your values?  How would you teach what is right?  How would you inspire if you never showed your true colors?  You can't be all things to all people but you can always be 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 lead with my true self."

Act Instead of React

A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and then thinks of the reasons for his action. ~Jawaharlal Nehru

Apologize to Mend, Improve, Bond

An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything. ~Lynn Johnston

Even though you are a leader, you will not be perfect.  You will say the wrong thing, make the wrong decision or make a careless mistake.  Making mistakes followed by a sincere apology makes you stronger because it allows people to move on from the hurt and begin to start a discussion on improvement or repairing. Even if you don't think you did anything wrong but there is something amis start with an apology.  The focus is then taken away from any pain onto "what happened and how does this not happen again?"  When others see you, the leader, want to right wrongs they will feel a strong bond and willingness to follow.

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 apologize with sincerity to mend, improve, and bond."

Defend Against Complaining

Do not listen to those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. ~Og Mandino

The sure fire way to ruin a good mood is to listen to someone who is in a bad mood.  It can take away your energy.  It can put negativity into the fore front of your brain.  The place where you need to think and innovate. As leaders, you can't avoid having to listen to complaints.  They are a necessity for improvement.  However, if you get involved emotionally then you can become trapped.  Take the time to inoculate by preparing yourself mentaly.  Surely empathise and then understand that when others grumble you are to coach them into flipping their complaints into a solution.  This will help defend you from complainers putting you in that emotional trap.

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 emotional resilient to complaining

by coaching to solutions."

Patience Will Make You Think Better

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which

difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. ~John Quincy Adams

Our brains do not work as well under severe pressure.  When you are impatient you put yourself under that kind of pressure. You tend to want to quit when things do not happen quickly. The best creativity and innovation come to you.  It is not forced.  True leaders will find the patience and allow things to happen as they should happen.  You will do your best thinking and problem solving by practicing patience and determination.

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 continue on and be patient so,

that I can think clearly and problem solve."

 

 

 

Find Happiness Within Yourself

Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose. ~ C.S. Lewis

Jobs may come and go.  People will come into your life and may leave.  Things can break, fall apart or become uninteresting.  You, however, are with yourself forever.  It's a common saying about leadership in that it is "lonely at the top."  If you are at peace with yourself and you are happy with yourself, then you will never be lonely.  Enjoying the company of others is not the same as needing others for fulfillment.  Seek to be with others but do not depend on them for your own mental health.  Be with yourself and find contentment with your life journey.

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 find the happiness I need within myself."

 

 

Reduce Stress Through Humor

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor. ~Max Eastman

April Fools Day can be amazingly fun.  Humor, laughter and smiling take the stress out of our lives.  Sharing laughter makes you a stress reliever.  Leadership should be about taking the unhealthy stress out of situations and making them more motivating.  Happy Aprils Fools Day!

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 look for some humor in my life everyday and not always take myself so seriously."