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I find that my hands feel fully occupied when I act like an owner, yet fluid when I act like a steward, which is where I want to be. Stewardship bears the same responsibility for performing but acknowledges that the role you are in is a “pitstop” on the journey and for a broader cause.
Consider the context under which you perform.
Finding better and more efficient ways to do things is wise. That is wisdom. However, be wary of shortcuts that would lead you to believe that you can microwave your way to a great career.
I had the pleasure of hearing Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, tell his story a few weeks ago. He shared some incredible footage from the climb. One-piece of footage was him and team crossing between two mountain tops on a ladder. It was probably thirty feet or so across. He joked that one of the benefits of being blind was that he could not look down, as if he did, he might have stopped. Looking down startled many of the folks making their way across those mountain tops.
Aim high, stay above the fray, make your way across your mountain tops and don’t look down … there is nothing down there for you.
It is easy to think about leadership as an assignment, a title or a post, but it’s not. It is about showing up, creating a vision, positively influencing, and taking action, etc. You don’t need permission to do it.
I took this picture from an elevator within a Marriott hotel during my travels a week or so ago. If you can’t read it clearly, here is what it says …
“You will find only Pepsi products in Marriott hotels because, in a time of need, Marriott asked Coke for a loan, but were denied – Pepsi said yes! Thanks, Pepsi 🙂 ”
While we certainly should not expect anything from helping others during a time of need, we also never know what might come of it. Do good and help others whenever you can!
By nature, I tend to dwell on “the how.” I like to plan things for quite a while before execution actually happens. However, I can get stuck in planning and the truth of the matter is that to break into new territory, practice and trials beat thoughts and plans. [read more]
The thing that matters most to you may seem out of reach at the moment. Perhaps it is not the moment yet, not the season … yet. But if you believe, hold tight, you might just be at the threshold. Be ready to turn the page, because the impossible can become possible at any moment if you persist.
Awareness can lead to insight and more meaningful actions.
As you jump into this new week of opportunity, give thought to what you have recently learned and what insight it has provided about you. What can you do differently? What can you improve? Where can you sharpen your saw?
What one area will you commit to making an improvement in this week?
Managers tend to follow the rules as prescribed and stay within “the box” and leaders work to transcend the “the box.” Leverage all you can to the extent you can, while working to lead in every aspect of your life.
Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable. – Brenda Ueland
Racing and driving horses wear blinkers to them focused forward as opposed to distractions such as crowds or the competition.
How much more progress could you make towards achieving your vision didn’t suffer from distracted momentum? Grab Your Blinkers!
The very idea of “failure” creates discomfort for most of us. However, discomfort is where growth happens. Embrace it!
Take a minute or two and jot down a few things you completed this work as you worked towards your passion and purpose. Acknowledge that work for just a moment … let it re-energize for the next leg of the journey!
I have been sending out the Success Thought of the Day since January of 2000, which makes this the 20th year. There are many mornings, like this one, where I don’t “feel like” doing it. I don’t “feel like” rolling out of bed and doing my bible study, prayer and reading beforehand. [read more …]
Once you have determined what is important to you (passion/purpose), strengthen your commitment and improve your odds of execution by having accountability partners. There are people whom you share your vision with, encourage you, celebrate with you and also hold you accountable.
Give thought to your unique capacities and talents. Are you developing and using them in service of your purpose?
You will be best at what you were created to be. That is sometimes hard to see early in your journey, it was for me. However, what you will find is that once you identify it and begin to chase it, things happen. Invest time wisely in figuring out what your passion is!
