If I hear the word unprecedented one more time I’m going to implode. Yes we are dealing with something we’ve never experienced before, and yes it’s going to take a huge effort on the part of everyone to get through it. So let’s do everyone a favor and stop talking about how big the mountain is and let’s start packing up our gear, grab a big stick and begin the climb.

 

As businesses and individuals begin the work of dealing with this situation one thing is most certainly clear- We are going to need strong leadership in every aspect of this recovery. So let’s talk a bit about what it means to be a leader because one thing is for sure- when things are going well, leadership doesn’t really matter all that much. It’s when things aren’t going well, and people are feeling scared, uncertain and vulnerable- that’s when true leaders show up and tend to show up in big ways.

 

Interesting that many assume leadership is only important in business or in sports. Everyone is a leader in some aspect of their life, and in the coming weeks and months everyone will have an opportunity to lead. The only question then is- what type of leader are you planning to be? How are you going to show up with the most important people in your life? Where are you going to make an impact?

 

Our families need role models to show them that life will go on. Sitting in front of the news all day every day or binge-watching programs isn’t dealing with the problem. What messages both verbal and non-verbal are you sending to your family during this time. There is no playbook and no right or wrong answers. Know that they are paying close attention to everything you do and everything you say.

 

Many in our workplaces are being laid-off or furloughed. How are you prepping your teams for the time they will be out? What plans have you made? What resources are you providing to them in their time of need? How are you communicating to them? Once again there is not playbook for these circumstances. Know that you have their full attention so again everything you do and say means something.

 

Here are a few things leaders will keep in mind as we climb this mountain together-

 

  1. Focus on what you can control. Right now, we have limited resources so expending any time and energy on things beyond our control is a waste of time and energy. Also when you take action, other’s around you will see that it’s ok to take action as well rather than sit and wallow in the circumstances. Think about what you can do today.

 

  1. Control the conversation you are having with yourself. The narrative that is constantly playing back in your head can be paralyzing, especially if it’s the wrong message. That conversation you have with yourself is the most important conversation you will have today because it’s the only one that will really make a difference to you and those around you. Start asking yourself on a consistent basis- is this conversation I’m having with myself right now moving me closer to my goals, and to the outcomes I’m looking for- or is it pulling me further away from them? Your thoughts are things, and your actions with follow your thoughts. Pay attention to the conversation and get it working for you, not against you.

 

 

  1. Get your body moving. You may not be able to get to a gym, but you are able to get up and get moving. Our bodies are designed for movement and when we get our blood pumping and oxygen flowing it helps us think clearer, relaxes us, and gets our mind unstuck from the challenges of the moment. The weather is warming so get outside for a brisk walk, and then go back to the problem you were solving with a clear head and a new perspective.

 

  1. Start your day with something positive. All the challenges we are dealing with aren’t going anywhere. If the first thing you do every morning is turn on the TV for the latest statistics, or dive into on social media, then that’s probably not a great way to kick off your day. Start your day with something that feeds you energy, instead of those things that tend to drain it. Read something positive, write something, talk to someone you care about or that energizes you. Anything to start the day off on the right foot. Then you can begin to tackle the daily challenges of keeping your business and your life on track.

 

  1. Know that you are a leader and that you will get through this challenge that same as you have gotten through every other challenge in your life up to this point. A belief in yourself and your ability to overcome the obstacles in front of you is what separates leaders from the rest of the world.

 

 

Make a choice today to be a leader in your business and in your life.

 

Cheers to your success and your health

 

One Quarter Turn at a Time

 

 

Thoughts for the week:

 

Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain anything is possible. -Mandy Hale

 

Maturity is the capacity to endure uncertainty. -John Finely

 

Be okay with not knowing for sure what might come next, but know that whatever it is, you will be okay. -Unknown

 

Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability. Unknown

 

To the victim, adversity is bad, To the leader and warrior, hard times are life’s richest times of growth and possibility. Use them to fly. -Robin Sharma

 

Cheers to your health, your growth and your continued success-

One Quarter Turn at a Time

Coach Tim