Self Management

Much study in the last 25 years in the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, cognitive psychology and performance science leads to similar conclusions — how you think and what you believe about yourself, plays a significant role in determining your outcomes and overall success in life.

In a recent leadership summit, Dr. John Townsend, best-selling author and psychologist, defined personal power as the capacity to change the environment. Organizations require constant movement and it takes leadership energy, focus, and intentionality to take a company from where it is to where they want it to be.

We all have a unique relationship with goal setting. January is the time of year for goal setting junkies to rally. Then there are the rest of you — the 83% of the U.S. population who do not set goals.

Sharing a personal story of moving to a new home and the unexpected challenges encountered, emphasizing the importance of listening to candid feedback from friends and the invaluable support they offer during stressful transitions. The narrative also touches on the significance of having people who can provide honest feedback for leaders to avoid "CEO disease" and make informed decisions.

Sharing a personal narrative about navigating the emotional highs and lows of the holiday season during a challenging year, highlighting the importance of acknowledging grief, embracing vulnerability, and finding joy in adjusted traditions, while emphasizing the value of supportive relationships and self-compassion in coping with adversity.

Discussing the benefits of journaling for leaders, such as enhanced self-awareness, increased creativity, and deeper connections, to combat emotional detachment and improve decision-making, employee engagement, and company culture.

Highlighting the significance of establishing personal and professional rituals to maintain balance, prevent burnout, and enhance productivity, emphasizing the value of renewal and focused time for development and connection in both work and personal life.

Encouraging the practice of confronting reality and using it constructively to pursue one's dreams, emphasizing the importance of setting goals and integrating them into daily and weekly routines to enhance productivity and achieve long-term visions.

Introducing the concept of "Relational Nutrients" as essential elements for mental and emotional health, divided into four quadrants—Be Present, Convey the Good, Provide Reality, and Call to Action—to highlight the importance of both giving and receiving support, affirmation, perspective, and advice in sustaining healthy relationships and overall wellbeing.

Illustrating the significance of continuous learning and self-improvement in working smarter, using the metaphor of sharpening the saw to emphasize the necessity of pausing to enhance one's skills for increased efficiency and effectiveness in leadership and overall work performance.

Emphasizing the importance of strategically managing one's time by pruning commitments and optimizing work schedules to create "white space" for planning, creativity, and recovery, ultimately aiming for a more balanced and fulfilling life.