The Holidays are
coming fast. For many of us, it can add even more stress to our already busy
lives.
From a leadership
perspective, holiday activity is an event, an environmental condition,
something that is going to happen (whether we like it or not). How we engage
this time is an important choice.
To lead ourselves through it well, we need to keep our perspective and follow
our true priorities.
Often, the key in
self-leadership is simply making choices. Saying yes to one activity will
almost always require saying no to another; that's where priorities come in. I
would encourage you to make your choices based on what is really in your heart,
do it joyfully and do it with a foundation of what your true priorities
are.
Priorities emerge
from our perspective. I have grown to really enjoy the opportunity to reflect
during the holidays. Whether it is part of my faith practices or simply
thinking about the right things while I am in the midst of what others might be
saying "humbug" about.
Opportunities like:
- Really reflecting during all that extra driving or traveling time about what is really important to me in my life. Really quieting the mind and "listening" to what pops in there.
- Understanding and celebrating what really brings joy to others when I consider what gifts to share with them.
- Reading those Christmas letters and cards from far-away friends and really connecting with where they are and the joy they are experiencing in their lives.
- Truly listening when I am reconnecting with people that I haven't seen for a while and making both of our lives richer with those conversations.
- Using the "non-routine" time and days to refresh my body, mind and spirit and come back with more clarity and purpose.
I’m not a big fan of
New Year’s resolutions because they have become so cliché, but I am a fan of
having a time to deepen my perspective
and reset my priorities. If that’s a New Year's resolution ritual for you, go for
it. If you have another ritual or time to do it, make sure you carry through on
it--it is an essential part of growing as a leader. If you don't have an annual
ritual of renewal, you should develop that time and way to go deep on what is
important to you and why. For some, it might be an annual reexamination of your
Personal Mission Statement or other exercise. Without a time to reflect, your
perspective will be weaker and you priorities will be more difficult to set
(and follow) because they risk being shallow and may constantly change.
Only with a solid
leadership foundation can we lead ourselves with clarity and conviction. Only
then will we be prepared to lead others.
Post a response on
some ways you refresh your perspective or check your priorities.
Continue Leading the Interstates Way!
Dave Crumrine
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