Change Your Prescription!
Over the last several weeks, we have taken a look at five truths that are important to remember as leaders:
Amid challenges, we must remember that we are NOT helpless.
Feeling helpless is a direct result of a pessimistic attitude.
Binary mindsets impact our perspectives. Things are not good or bad. They just are.
Our cognitive biases affect what we see when we scan the world around us.
Our perceptions determine our reality. Challenges can either be viewed as impediments or bridges.
If we want to truly bloom in the garden where we have planted, we have to learn to think differently. But how do we do that?
Consider for a moment:
How do we go about changing the way we think?
Are you aware of your own personal cognitive biases that result from your life experiences?
Can you list them? What are they and how do they impact your perspectives?
Changing the way we think doesn’t make challenges magically disappear. It does alter how we view those obstacles. It is like going to the eye doctor regularly to have your prescription adjusted. The older I get the more often I need to get those minor adjustments made if I want to see clearly.
The more we lead, the more often we need to make adjustments. If we don’t, we can get stuck in old mindsets and perspectives that are no longer valid. Perhaps the following 3-2-1 REFLECTION can help:
Stop scanning for things that might be deemed “good” or “bad” and instead consider your provisions. Spend five minutes daily journaling three positive provisions you have received during the day. Things that have come from someone else that showed up at just the right time and in the right way. At the end of each week, review your seven day list. You will find that you have much to be grateful for!
Spend five minutes each day writing out the two biggest concerns that are on your mind. Write out WHY it is bothering you, HOW it is impacting you, and WHAT would have to be true for it to be turned into a bridge to growth rather than an obstacle to it.
Take two minutes at the end of each day to write out one lesson you have learned during the day. In what way have you grown or changed in a positive way as a result of the 24-hours?
Want to change your prescription? Want to see more clearly? Change your perspective by sharpening your thinking. We don’t feel our way into action. Rather, we act our way into new thoughts and feelings. Do something different!
I am personally committing to this practice for the next three months. Would you join me?
Would you commit with me to journal a 3-2-1 REFLECTION at least five days a week for the next 90 days? If so, connect with me at www.petehazzard.com and I will commit to being your accountability partner for the next three months. Just fill out the CONTACT ME section.
Organizations are counting on leaders to frame the world around them the right way. Part of the price of leadership is taking the actions necessary to help the folks entrusted to our care. We will talk about that some more over the next few weeks.
See you next week!