This is an awkward time of year for leaders—especially entrepreneurs—to keep their focus. Would you agree?
There is the tension of driving hard to finish well 2010 year end goals and the immediate need to formulate the strategic plan for profitability in 2011. Then there are the company parties and pressure of networking at countless other gatherings. Did I mention dealing with all the hangovers and sugar comas? Next comes the vacation of key staff, the inconvenient nasty weather, and what are you going to do for Christmas bonuses, anyway? Pile on the family obligations and the need to be present and available for neighborhood parties, school productions, annual Christmas letters, and stockings hung by the chimney with care! All of this with the contstant pressure of “Just try to be nice!”
Listen to Yourself
You may actually be more like the guilt-filled leader who is thinking, I don’t really feel like being here. Do you have a sense of personal burn-out from this pretty erratic and somewhat difficult but yet-not-as-hard-as-last year? Have you pushed yourself to do more with less and now find your tank is empty?
As your coach, I am inviting you to listen to that still small voice that may be asking you to make time to reflect, sharpen the saw and focus on what matters.
You may not have the luxury to just leave the office (if you do, please do everyone a favor and leave), but we all can find moments to intentionally reflect. I would like to encourage you to focus on what you want this holiday season to be. That simple act can do wonders for your clarity as you set your intentions for 2011. Next step is to get support from your coach, partner, spouse or peer group to keep that focus!
Get in F.O.C.U.S.
I love acronyms so here are a few things to F.O.C.U.S. in on.
First things first! Prioritize your core values first! No theory and feel-good platitudes here. Seriously, what matters most to you as a person? Honor it! Put your money, time, and energy where your mouth is and not what “you wish for.” Focus on your priorities and set boundaries around what steals time, energy, and money from the peoeple and things you value most. This is not optional if you want to live an intentional life.
Others. Think others. How can you serve others this season versus seek to be served? Leadership is always about serving those who serve you. What can you do to show your appreciation to others? How can you put others first this season? Reflect on what would you do if the important others were not in your life tomorrow? Let them know today how important they are to you. If not now, when?
Celebrate what has gone right this year. This year may have been easier than last year, but it has not been easy. Celebrate with others the wins. Celebrate with your family the great advances. Celebrate with your team the contribution of individuals and the collective win. We do not celebrate enough so take this season to use your words and celebrate! Then use what has worked well to simplify your life even more. It is in the time of celebrating we are able to clearly see people’s talents and we can use that to focus on the strengths of both yourself and others.
Uphold your promises. Make it your ambition to under-promise and over-deliver. Might I add, apply this especially to your kids. It absolutely makes me sick when I see parents have to break even a small promise to their wide-eyed expectant children. I know it’s inevitable but can we make it our ambition not to! Your integrity is tested more with your words and promises than anywhere else. Uphold your integrity keep: your promises. (And while I am at it… don’t tell someone—anyone—you will be there and then arrive late or don’t even bother calling. Or say you will call right back and never do. Or say “e-mail me” and don’t answer. Be impeccable with your words, and seek forgiveness when you compromise it! Like my dad used to tell me, “Sis, think before you speak.” It is better to say nothing and disappoint in the moment than to be the hero with a promise you are unable to uphold in the long term.)
Simplify everything. I know you hear this from me all the time, but seriously, what can you get rid of in your life? What can you say no to, so that you can say yes to what matters? Focus in on what and who takes your time, energy, and resources. What boundaries do you need to set so that you are honoring your values? What beliefs no longer serve you? What junk in your house, office, car, files, etc., needs to be thrown out to bring clarity? If you are burned out, clean out your drawers, glove compartment, sock drawer and think, How can I live more simply? This is a silly example, but I remember the year I threw out all my white socks and bought all matching. Never worried again about missing socks. What can you do to simplify? Here is a fun challenge if you need something to jumpstart ya!
Season-of-No-Regret Greetings!
I wish you a season of no regret. I desire you to enter 2011 refreshed, aligned, and focused on what matters most. I invite you to invest in your own development and greatness by hiring a coach or taking Life 301 or reading a good book to get you to your next level.
I will be back just before the dawn of 2011 with your New Year Challenge! Until then—
Be the Best You Can Be!
Shandel
