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The Thoughtful Leaders™ BlogYou can laugh more
I can be very intense. Ask anyone who knows me. I can get caught in the seriousness of a situation, the meaning of a moment, the dilemma of a debate. I can work very hard to find value in each encounter and search for the hidden significance under every comment. And it can bog me down. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyFive tips to navigate the currents of conflict
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyIt’s more than the thought that counts
Recently I watched a former colleague struggle with how to show up for her team at work. Her organization had gone through a merger and a few “restructures” – people had been let go and although the team was functioning, it was, in many ways, reeling internally. My colleague was unsure of how to reach out to her team, how to lead them, and what to say…or whether or not it was really necessary to say anything at all. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyStop swimming upstream
Just the other day I was about to tear my hair out because of my 3-year old son. All I needed to do was get out the door to run a few errands. And I swear, when I have an agenda, something I need to get done, it’s like he smells it. And he pushes equally hard in the opposite direction. I find myself screaming (at least inside) at him – and then I lose it even more because I know that that’s not the way I want to parent. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyChanging direction for the better
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 ReplyThe real ways to capitalize on failure
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyHelp I’m in overwhelm…and 4 key steps out
Related Posts:4 Responses to “Help I’m in overwhelm…and 4 key steps out”Leave a ReplyFollow your bliss
Recently a client was discussing her upcoming choice between two new jobs. The discussion seemed like a cost-benefit analysis – all head and very little heart. “I should do this,” she said. “This makes the most sense. I really love that idea, but it’s probably not smart.” Now while the more “sensible” option may be the right one for her to pursue, it struck me how quickly we follow what seems “right” rather than what seems wonderful. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyWhen thinking makes it so
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyIt’s my (your) responsibility
A neighbor stopped me the other day to complain about construction vehicles traveling through the area. She was concerned about the noise and safety of such large trucks going past her house. “Someone should get a neighborhood association started so that we can have a stronger voice,” she said. I agreed. We talked about the weather and then continued on our ways. Related Posts:Leave a Reply |
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It was not the first time my son said “No” to my “Yes” that day. It felt like the umpteenth, even if it was maybe only the third. I felt like I was slogging through sludge to get anywhere with him, to get anything done. And so I stopped. “I give up,” I said. “This feels as if I’m swimming upstream and I am not a salmon looking to spawn, so I 
We have written about the benefits of not being 
I have spoiled people’s problems and I know it. At home I’m renovating a kitchen (with roughly 10 decisions to make every day), planning a vacation, shopping for my daughter’s senior prom dress, and making it to as many of my son’s basketball games as possible. At work I’m juggling four significant leadership programs, a large handful of coaching clients, and potential new business with recurring clients and new ones. My assistant sent me an email listing the twenty-plus people I have to schedule meetings or calls with in March, in my already too-tight schedule. All this while trying to practice Thoughtful Leadership™ and maintain my self-care. And writing a blog post. Again, I know these are “spoiled” people’s problems and I’m not complaining, but 
Recently I was running on one of my favorite trails, maintaining a great pace. There are a few short stairs on the trail and as I approached the first of stairs I said to myself, “Be careful on the stairs and don’t trip. Watch your footing, Robyn.” Of course, you know what happened. I tripped, took a hard fall, and banged up my knee and elbow. “How stupid can you be?” I thought. “I warned you,” said my inner critic. “I said, ‘don’t trip,’ yet that’s exactly what you did!”
Thanks for sharing this, Lisa. I feel like I can totally relate and it simply makes me feel more connected knowing that other women and/or moms have similar challenges. I really try to talk to myself in a voice and tone that I’d talk to a friend or my sister in, saying things like, “Breathe, it’s all going to be ok, you are not a machine but a human…” Might seem silly and I hope no one hears me, but it works!!
Thanks for all you do.
Marjorie
Thanks for your comments and thoughts Marjorie. It sounds like you’ve found a great way to take care of yourself and get through. I’ve often suggested that we should treat ourselves like we’d treat someone we love (unfortunately not always ourselves). I do believe we’re all in this together. Yesterday, while editing essays for my daughter at 8pm, I found myself literally falling asleep as I read. So I headed for the couch, took a power nap, and woke up in time to put my son to bed and edit further with my daughter. Whatever we have to do I say! Thanks again.
I try to delegate as much as I can to my staff. Sometimes I find that I hold on to things because I think I am the only person that can do them, but then I realize that I have a staff that are very capable. It is difficult to let go, but I find that it too helps me with my own overwhelm.
Thanks Cheryl. It can be very difficult to let go – thanks for reminding us that it’s necessary and smart to do so!