It happened again - I was on a plane from Orlando to Chicago and sat in between two hard working, hard at it, Type A women. This is not unusual, but this time for some reason it made me wonder if this is really the way to success. Is Type A really the only way? Is it the appropriate path to promotion?
After a brief conversation with both women, one was on her way to a conference, working on reading the pre-material that would allow her to be prepared. The other was reading a study module for a Master's class she was taking over the week. Both mentioned in their own way being too busy at the office to prepare for their out of town business effectively. Both yawned during our conversations (I don't think it was a reflection on me) and both mentioned how much they wish they could just take a nap. What is it that makes us drive so hard to acheive? What is the cost of such constant driving and rarely taking a moment, or many, to rejuvinate.
Friends joke with me that if it gets on Monica's list, it gets done, so make not mistake, I am not one to criticize the whole Type A conundrum - the constant drive to get things done at all costs - I am merely questioning at this stage of the game whether or not all the stress of achieveing is really worth it, really healthy, and really the model for success that we all think it is. Maybe every so often, every once in a while, we should... just take a nap.
Until we have the privilege of meeting in person...
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Little, or not so little, Texas Tornado
There it was, staring me in the face: the mountain of paperwork, proposals abound, a billion emails, a book to finish and a product to create... all by oh, you know... tomorrow! Then it hit me, a friend affectionately refers to me as the Little Texas Tornado (for those of you who don't know, I am originally from Texas) and here I am living the very concept. My office is a tornado of creativity, productivity and potential burn-out-tivity.
Ever been there? Chances are good that you have and as I hear it all the time from high achieving individuals, chances are also good that you haven't taken time out for you in a while. The truth is - we all so desperately need it. In my experience, truly effective leaders take the time. They take sabbaticals, retreats, vacations, even if only for a day or for a moment to stare out the window, they take the time to reflect on priorities and directions and just blank space. The tornado that is my office will wait, the health and well being of my body and brain will not. So, with that said, today is the day that I choose to brag about the people, the accomplishments, and not the hours worked to get there. Today is the day that I proclaim that 80 hours a week is not the average that we should seek to achieve, but rather, 80 moments of peace, gratitude, and reflection is the goal to which I am now striving. That doesn't mean that I am going to hole away and find a beach and just do nothing, but it does mean that I am going to ratchet the stress level down a notch and just chill long enough to actually eat breakfast and drink my latte.
What are you doing today so that your capacity to lead yourself matches or at least is close to your capacity to lead mulitple projects at one time. Without some continued focus on the first, you may not have any energy left to complete the second. Just a thought... enjoy your day!
Ever been there? Chances are good that you have and as I hear it all the time from high achieving individuals, chances are also good that you haven't taken time out for you in a while. The truth is - we all so desperately need it. In my experience, truly effective leaders take the time. They take sabbaticals, retreats, vacations, even if only for a day or for a moment to stare out the window, they take the time to reflect on priorities and directions and just blank space. The tornado that is my office will wait, the health and well being of my body and brain will not. So, with that said, today is the day that I choose to brag about the people, the accomplishments, and not the hours worked to get there. Today is the day that I proclaim that 80 hours a week is not the average that we should seek to achieve, but rather, 80 moments of peace, gratitude, and reflection is the goal to which I am now striving. That doesn't mean that I am going to hole away and find a beach and just do nothing, but it does mean that I am going to ratchet the stress level down a notch and just chill long enough to actually eat breakfast and drink my latte.
What are you doing today so that your capacity to lead yourself matches or at least is close to your capacity to lead mulitple projects at one time. Without some continued focus on the first, you may not have any energy left to complete the second. Just a thought... enjoy your day!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Lessons in Life become Lessons in Leadership
Have you ever just blown up - lost it - blown a gasket - flipped your lid? I think we all have and if you answered yes, the greatest comfort I can offer you is that you are not alone.
It has been a while since I have done it, but boy when I do, it comes with fireworks, sparklers and big ole texas sized gestures (not that kind - come on now!). In the moment, it seems wholly appropriate and then later it seems silly and then even later it can seem embarrassing, but that whole in the moment thing is what I have learned is a lesson in life.
As I had an experience this week that could so easily have provoked a lid flipping response, I was able to pause and think before reacting. I was able to strategically think what would be the most effective response, not the most explosive. Now, this lack of pause is often relegated to those of my particular personality preference, but there isn't one of us who has never said anything before thinking. In this case it was particularly enlightening to watch myself make the choice as a year ago, this would not have happened. In the last year, I have taken the CORE profile that we now use in our business and that changed the abilities I have to control my own behavior. I thought I had control, but there were times when well, others would not have believed that to be the case.
What would it do to your leadership, your life and your self esteem to gather the ultimate skill of truly thinking before you speak and being able to control your own behavior? Powerful stuff and I had spent thousands on self help books and seminars before I discovered the simple steps. Everyone tries to make it so complicated. I wish for you an easier road.
If you want to check out the CORE tool, either call us or go straight to my website at http://www.monicawofford.com/LearningPrograms_CORE.htm
Til next time!
M
It has been a while since I have done it, but boy when I do, it comes with fireworks, sparklers and big ole texas sized gestures (not that kind - come on now!). In the moment, it seems wholly appropriate and then later it seems silly and then even later it can seem embarrassing, but that whole in the moment thing is what I have learned is a lesson in life.
As I had an experience this week that could so easily have provoked a lid flipping response, I was able to pause and think before reacting. I was able to strategically think what would be the most effective response, not the most explosive. Now, this lack of pause is often relegated to those of my particular personality preference, but there isn't one of us who has never said anything before thinking. In this case it was particularly enlightening to watch myself make the choice as a year ago, this would not have happened. In the last year, I have taken the CORE profile that we now use in our business and that changed the abilities I have to control my own behavior. I thought I had control, but there were times when well, others would not have believed that to be the case.
What would it do to your leadership, your life and your self esteem to gather the ultimate skill of truly thinking before you speak and being able to control your own behavior? Powerful stuff and I had spent thousands on self help books and seminars before I discovered the simple steps. Everyone tries to make it so complicated. I wish for you an easier road.
If you want to check out the CORE tool, either call us or go straight to my website at http://www.monicawofford.com/LearningPrograms_CORE.htm
Til next time!
M
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