Why is it that when we grow up, we think we have to be so serious? Work is serious. Life is serious. We are serious.
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The Thoughtful Leaders BlogIsn’t it time for a good hearty laugh?
“Children laugh an average of three hundred or more times a day; adults laugh an average of five times a day. We have a lot of catching up to do.” Heather King
Why is it that when we grow up, we think we have to be so serious? Work is serious. Life is serious. We are serious. Related Posts:3 Responses to “Isn’t it time for a good hearty laugh?”Leave a ReplyEngage your brain for thoughtful leadershipAs you know, we believe in the power of Thoughtful Leadership here at Chatsworth Consulting Group – the power and clarity that comes with looking inside yourself, taking the time to reflect, and thinking before taking action. So, I love when I read something that reinforces that notion, especially when it applies a little science to the mix. This week I read a great blog post on Harvard Business Review’s site about your brain. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyHow to get things done when you’re not the bossIn the current economic turmoil, one thing has become clear. In an environment of cutbacks, downsizing, and restructuring, formal lines of authority and accountability have been seriously disrupted and blurred. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to build your ability to “influence without authority”, since the people upon whose efforts your success depends may not report to you, or even to anyone at all. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyBe present to today“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” Ursula LeGuin One of my former colleagues is extremely focused on getting his next promotion. Every time we speak, that is the main topic of conversation. On its face, there is nothing wrong with that, but my sense is that all that matters to him is getting the promotion, not what the new job will be and not what’s happening around him now as he waits. Once he receives the promotion he’ll have to live in that job every day… and we never discuss if it will be a job that he will like, and we certainly never discuss how to make his current job more fulfilling. It’s like the person who is so focused on their big wedding that they forget about the lifelong marriage to follow and miss the daily moments of joy with their beloved. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyThe breeze on my skinRecently I’ve been noticing the breeze on my skin. I used to try to be present by being aware of my feet. “Be where your feet are!” I had heard that phrase years ago, and I used that endlessly to ground me in the moment. To keep me present in what I was feeling, experiencing, and doing at any given point in time. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyIt’s not my fault; I couldn’t help it
“Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.” George Washington Carver
The other day I was talking with a colleague about something that had happened, something that had gone wrong on a project. As we dug deeper and deeper into the situation, my colleague offered more and more reasons why the errors were simply not his fault, or they couldn’t be helped. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyLeadership lessons from deep in a copper mineEveryone is all too familiar with the amazing story of survival coming out of Chile. Thirty-three miners trapped in a copper mine half a mile below the surface after a collapse on August 5th. Just as most had given up hope, rescue workers discovered a note tied to a drilling tube that read: “We are fine in the refuge, the 33.” Few of us can imagine surviving such an ordeal, let alone using our leadership and teaming skills to thrive, yet that is what these 33 men are doing as they wait for what could be 4 months before they can be reached and brought to safety. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyHow Do You Get From Here to There?“I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change.” Jim Rohn As summer ends and September begins, many of us think about making personal and professional changes. (It’s the traditional start of the school year, and we still feel it!) Whether you want greater impact in your current position, or expansion into a new role, or personal fulfillment and growth, how do you turn thoughts into reality? How do you get from here to there? Related Posts:Leave a ReplyChanging direction for the better“We are not retreating – we are advancing in another direction.” Douglas MacArthur We recently had a disagreement with a vendor we hired to help us with our business. Our first impulse was to argue for “our money’s worth” and demand that we get what we had originally contracted for, but we realized that fighting with the vendor would be a negative drain on our energy and our business. We decided instead to view the event as a learning process and to move on and invest our time, energy, and money somewhere else. Some may view this as giving up and giving in, but we knew it was the right move for us. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyStupid movie lines – and what they mean for leadershipI was thinking recently about the stupid movie lines that have stayed with me all these years. Check out three of my favorites:
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View Robyn McLeod's profile
Great reminder! And you are a good example of this… leading by example; such a great and memorable laugh. Thanks.
Thanks Sandra! We try and practice what we preach – and I do firmly believe we need more smiles and laughter in life! I always find the challenge to be looking for a reason to take things more lightly when they seem anything but…a work in progress I guess.
dear cousin . how true this is …….laughter is the true wisdom of old age…for we no
longer
have the luxury of time on our side so why not fill our lives with love and humour.that comes
from finding enjoyment and sharing it with others…thanks for this great reminder.
love, betty