Recently, I hopped into my daughter’s car to run an errand – totally unprepared for what I experienced. Her typically smooth-running car began to shake uncontrollably, pulling to the right, as if to veer off course, therefore making the trip slightly unbearable. Outwardly, the car looked fine and seemed to be in great condition. However, my inability to maintain focus, because of my discomfort, made it difficult for me to enjoy my trip. Without a doubt, the mechanic revealed the real issue: the car needed 4 new tires, to be realigned and balanced!
Does this typify your presence as a leader? Outwardly, we may be coasting through life seemingly effortlessly but without a moment’s notice, your life spins out of balance causing you to veer away from your purpose.
Do you find yourself:
- buried alive underneath a stack of paper clutter?
- struggling to complete projects by the deadline?
- throwing your outfits together just to get out the door on time?
- feeling easily frustrated or distracted by all of the “bright and shiny objects”?
- waking up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because of the rapid-fire thoughts flooding your mind?
- trying to cover all of your bases – provide every service or skill area needed for your business, company or non-profit organization?
You need to…. stop, reflect, realign and refocus yourself in order to better manage your presence. If not, you may find yourself losing sight of your purpose, getting off course, and having your potential underestimated, personally and professionally.
Not only can I identify with this struggle as a leader, but I successfully equip clients to overcome and fully embrace their potential from the inside-out. Your image matters because people make impressions about your ability to lead effectively based on what they see.
Here are some things to do:
1. Stop! Reflect by taking an honest inventory and assessment of your behavior.
- Step outside of yourself. Without explanation, be honest about what you see. What are your impressions? Put adjectives to it. Imagine what others see. Then decide how you desire to be perceived.
2. Reflect – Think of how you lost focus and determine what is needed to get back on track.
- Consider the source – emotional, spiritual, relational, financial or physical. Do not avoid getting the necessary help.
- Word of advice, there could be something medically causing the lack of balance. Your mind, body and spirit needs time to heal. Listen to your body – be aware of the way it is responding. You must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can seek to help others.
3. Realign and balance – Allow your life purpose and core values to be your guard rails to the road to clarity.
- Consider an area that you need to declutter: your work, leisure time or closet in order to gain greater clarity so that you can make the necessary choices to help you better manage your presence.
- Also, make exercise, deep breathing, meditation, prayer and journaling, healthy diet and supplements a regular part of your lifestyle.
4. Refocus – It is never too late to get back on track. Make today your best day!
- Set clear and measurable goals and develop a clear strategy and action plan to help you to accomplish your goals.
- Develop a sensible schedule and minimize the big projects that you can accomplish in a day.
- Dress smart by planning what you will wear the night before – even down to the accessories. Make sure that it is a perfect fit, in great condition, clean, appropriate for the situation and flattering to your body and overall coloring. Refuse to settle for less than excellence!
You deserve to show up with the ability to develop and project a confident and authentic image that is polished, professional and poised regardless of the situation, so that you show up as an approachable and credible voice of authority compelling others, for the sake of inspiring them, to greatness. Allow those around you to gain a clear picture of a leader who is aligned and balanced because you have taken the time to present, package and project the best Y-O-U! Today is a great day to get started.