Busyness of life…. What does your 2015 look like? What happened to the “empty nest,” care-free, life? Funny, it really does not matter what stage of life you are in we all feel the pressure to do more. For instance, look at my wife, Colleen, and my schedule of events for the first seven months of 2015: three graduations (by the way, all on the same day), a granddaughter’s birth, and a son’s wedding. I know it’s only three days…right…smile!
That is just our schedule as it relates to our family; it does not take into account business obligations. What about other pressures from friends, our health, and oh yea, finances? The question is, “How does a level 5 leader/Servant Leader respond to life?”
Here are some thoughts:
- Most important: do not make it about you…stay focused on helping others. Easy to say, but hard to do.
- Live in day-tight compartments, sometimes, minute-tight. Be present with who you are with and what you are doing.
- Stay focused on winning each day. Be clear as to what a win looks like.
- Communicate often your expectations for those who are supporting your efforts.
- Listen intently and carefully to those who it is most important to serve.
- Exercise daily.
- Laugh often.
- Take time for yourself daily.
A paradox of Servant Leadership is that we must lead ourselves or serve ourselves first before we can truly be of help to others. Why do flight attendants always instruct you to secure your own mask first before helping others? The reason: if you are not breathing, you are of no help to others. Bottom-line: we must be the captain of our own ship which means being the leader of your own mind, body, and soul so that you have the staying power and the strength to serve others.
Here is what is working for me:
Mind. Read thought-provoking books on servant leadership, and historical novels; engage in interesting and challenging conversations with others; and write this weekly blog.
Body. Walking, biking, and swimming are my chosen activities. I make it a priority to be engaged for at least an hour 3x a week (making this a top priority is challenging). Diet. Removed almost all overt sugar from my meals and snacks…painful.
Soul. Make a life group a priority on Thursday nights (small group of 6 couples from church). Attend Church even when I do not feel like it, and listen to podcasts of speakers who challenge and expand my thinking in my car (Andy Stanley is my favorite). Pray often.
Reminds me of my favorite country western song lyrics…“believe in what’s real, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep it between the lines.”
Human Relation Principal of the week:
Become genuinely interested in others.
Dale Carnegie