The pace a which you are doing the things that you are passionate about, can devour your passion!
In a long distance road race, in leadership, in your career and in life in general, there seems to be three basic approaches: You can start with a blaze! Running as hard and as fast as you possibly can and then attempt to "hold on" during the latter stages. It is just not possible for any human being, whatever their capacity, to start at full speed and to keep it up for the distance.
a Second approach would be to start out rather cautiously and moderately over the first part of the journey and then, because you have "saved up" some energy, be able to complete the second half of the distance more quickly and strongly! There are those who would label people following this approach as "late bloomers."
Looking around and observing leaders who have covered some distance in life, I notice that most have apparently taken the first option. Many are tired and are barely holding on. Some are literally stumbling forward without any zeal or vision left! -They certainly did not start out that way... Some where referred to as "movers and shakers", not very long ago. The distance have taken it's toll.
It might be second nature for passionate, ambitious young leaders to start out guns a blazing. And to tell the truth, when scouting for younger leaders, that is exactly the kind of person that many leaders are looking for: Energetic, driven, self-starting, go-getters...! But how do you look after yourself in the long run? How do you make sure that you can stay the course?
Most athletic coaches say it is best to go for a third option: Maintain an even, consistent and sustainable pace throughout the race. A pace that will enable you the to go the full distance and still have some energy left at the end! Some may describe this third option as boring. -"Who needs energy at the end of the race? What for?"
Our strengths, capacity, personality type and general attitude towards life, will ensure that we look at these three approaches differently. -All I know is this: I need to pace myself. I need to make sure that I do what I'm passionate about in such a way, that I would be able to keep on doing and enjoying it!
No one else can or will do this for me: I have to establish what a sustainable pace looks like for me, and I have to keep on keeping it! -I suspect the same is true for you.......
Thursday 29 March 2012
Friday 23 March 2012
Position
Funny how people who occupy relatively "low positions" on the so called authority ladder, sometimes acts as if they wield enormous power and influence! Think about custom officials and army corporals for example. They can make you run against your will and they can keep you from passing through a border, or just make life difficult for you, but that's about all...
Why do most of us think that leadership is about some or other position? Some people will do about anything, just to be elected or appointed to a certain position. Does a title, abbreviated job description, a plaque on your office door or desk, or a descriptive business card make you a leader? -Someone who can lord it over others!
Is filling a position equal to being a leader? Most of the time people follow positional leaders because they have to, not because of respect or perceived leadership abilities. In John Maxwell's old adage about leadership (1993:5-7) : Position is the lowest level of leadership and normally "will not extend beyond the lines of one's job description."
"Real leadership is more than having authority; it is more than having the technical training and following the proper procedures. Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow."
Leadership is not about position. (Although it might be a starting point recognition of some sort.) Leadership is about attitude and behaviour and the ability to influence people, regardless of your position. Leadership is being the person that others trust and want to follow.
Which poses the question: Can one exercise leadership without any (official) position?
*John Maxwell 1993, Developing the leader within you. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville.
Why do most of us think that leadership is about some or other position? Some people will do about anything, just to be elected or appointed to a certain position. Does a title, abbreviated job description, a plaque on your office door or desk, or a descriptive business card make you a leader? -Someone who can lord it over others!
Is filling a position equal to being a leader? Most of the time people follow positional leaders because they have to, not because of respect or perceived leadership abilities. In John Maxwell's old adage about leadership (1993:5-7) : Position is the lowest level of leadership and normally "will not extend beyond the lines of one's job description."
"Real leadership is more than having authority; it is more than having the technical training and following the proper procedures. Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow."
Leadership is not about position. (Although it might be a starting point recognition of some sort.) Leadership is about attitude and behaviour and the ability to influence people, regardless of your position. Leadership is being the person that others trust and want to follow.
Which poses the question: Can one exercise leadership without any (official) position?
*John Maxwell 1993, Developing the leader within you. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville.
Thursday 15 March 2012
Meaning
Many things that we do on a daily basis may be regarded as part of our personal occupational hazards... It is those things that we don't really like, or might even dislike intensely, but we just have to do it. It seems that everything we do, have one or more of those "don't-like-dreary-meaningless" elements embedded in them.
But, when most of what you are working hard for, does not really matter to you today and in the long run, -frustration and dissatisfaction will at some point surely knock on your door.
The World Health Organisation believes that by 2020 one of the leading causes of disability will be depression. Don't underestimate the consequences of "meaninglessness"....
When you study the legacies of people that we generally regard as being successful, you will find that many of them have spent most of their time doing something that they regarded as meaningful. Something that had deep meaning to them personally. (Not necessarily to others.) Something that they are, or were passionate about!
I have often wondered why many successful leaders and so called achievers, seem to be so disappointed and disillusioned with their lives at the end. -Is it because achievements without real personal meaning, doesn't last ?!
How much of what you do has real meaning to you?
Its all about passion! Finding it and planning how to pursue it over a lifetime. Its about doing a lifestyle audit and making sure that you spend a significant amount of your time on things that has deep meaning to you.
For some of us it might mean that we have to evolve or cycle into a different role or function in our workplace. It might even mean that we have to start searching for something else. Many of us would simply have to find and spend more of our free time, doing the things that really matters to us and vibrates in our hearts and minds!
Life is too short and valuable to be spend on meaninglessness!
But, when most of what you are working hard for, does not really matter to you today and in the long run, -frustration and dissatisfaction will at some point surely knock on your door.
The World Health Organisation believes that by 2020 one of the leading causes of disability will be depression. Don't underestimate the consequences of "meaninglessness"....
When you study the legacies of people that we generally regard as being successful, you will find that many of them have spent most of their time doing something that they regarded as meaningful. Something that had deep meaning to them personally. (Not necessarily to others.) Something that they are, or were passionate about!
I have often wondered why many successful leaders and so called achievers, seem to be so disappointed and disillusioned with their lives at the end. -Is it because achievements without real personal meaning, doesn't last ?!
How much of what you do has real meaning to you?
Its all about passion! Finding it and planning how to pursue it over a lifetime. Its about doing a lifestyle audit and making sure that you spend a significant amount of your time on things that has deep meaning to you.
For some of us it might mean that we have to evolve or cycle into a different role or function in our workplace. It might even mean that we have to start searching for something else. Many of us would simply have to find and spend more of our free time, doing the things that really matters to us and vibrates in our hearts and minds!
Life is too short and valuable to be spend on meaninglessness!
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Clarity
On a clear night the average human eye can see the Triangulum Galaxy.
(If you know what to look for...!)
That is a distance of 3.14 million light years away! OK, what we actually see is the light coming towards us, but still -that is far! When we look straight forward on a clear day, the average human eye can see +/- 4.8 Km (2.9 miles), until the earth's curve causes you to hit the horizon.
On a cloudy, foggy day visibility can be restricted to only a few meters....
It's amazing what clarity can do: It helps us to see clearly and specifically that which is there.
It defines what is really important. It opens the door to more creative options. It empowers us to take better decisions. It clears the mind. It keeps us focused. It enables us to stay on course.
It reduces stress. -No one should proceed without it.
Sometimes our minds, our vision and decision making abilities becomes blurred with the fog of circumstances, choices and the everyday chores and worries of life. Sometimes clarity is obscured by a shapeless, nameless cloud that hangs over us and fills our thoughts. It rains on our dreams and displaces our energy.
In those times clarity (eventually) comes I have found, when I spent a little time to think (or even write) about what exactly is going on. Spend some time to become aware of exactly WHAT or HOW you are feeling. When you can define that: Ask yourself: WHY you feel that way?
When you can answer that honestly -establish whether there is anything that you can DO about it?
If there is nothing that you can do about it: -Let it go!
If there is something that you can do: Do it without delay!
(If you know what to look for...!)
That is a distance of 3.14 million light years away! OK, what we actually see is the light coming towards us, but still -that is far! When we look straight forward on a clear day, the average human eye can see +/- 4.8 Km (2.9 miles), until the earth's curve causes you to hit the horizon.
On a cloudy, foggy day visibility can be restricted to only a few meters....
It's amazing what clarity can do: It helps us to see clearly and specifically that which is there.
It defines what is really important. It opens the door to more creative options. It empowers us to take better decisions. It clears the mind. It keeps us focused. It enables us to stay on course.
It reduces stress. -No one should proceed without it.
Sometimes our minds, our vision and decision making abilities becomes blurred with the fog of circumstances, choices and the everyday chores and worries of life. Sometimes clarity is obscured by a shapeless, nameless cloud that hangs over us and fills our thoughts. It rains on our dreams and displaces our energy.
In those times clarity (eventually) comes I have found, when I spent a little time to think (or even write) about what exactly is going on. Spend some time to become aware of exactly WHAT or HOW you are feeling. When you can define that: Ask yourself: WHY you feel that way?
When you can answer that honestly -establish whether there is anything that you can DO about it?
If there is nothing that you can do about it: -Let it go!
If there is something that you can do: Do it without delay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)