Leveraging Summertime thinkin’ [Friday Leadership Tip]

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” –  Anton Checkov

It’s true isn’t it? When we are doing what we love and feel like we’re making a big difference, we feel great, no matter the season.

Still though…I love this time of year!  Vacations, barbeques, trips to the beach and lots of time spent with family and friends.

And while we’re having all that fun…does being in “vacation mode” reveal any new insights?

Do you become more aware there is a stark contrast between your work life and personal life?  Do you gain new perspective that a change is needed in relationships? Do you find yourself not wanting to return to work? Or at work, do you wish you were somewhere else?  Or find that there are days that resistance shows up so strongly that you just don’t feel like doing much work at all?

Can you relate?

Whether it came in the summer or not, I used to fight this resistance, or ignore it, and just push harder and harder against the resistance and try to power through. I accomplished a lot this way.

Over the years though, pushing like this has consequences, and can prevent us from finding the place where our work and personal lives are in alignment and we are passionately and purposefully having the impact we are meant to have.

I’ve learned that resistance is simply part of the creative process whether we’re an artist, a writer, an entrepreneur, or a leader in an organization. It’s normal. It’s human, and fighting it doesn’t help.

In fact, I’ve learned that fighting the resistance will actually make it worse! Have you ever heard the quote: “What we resist…persists?”

So this summer, when you have those days where you just “don’t feel like it,” or when you feel completely stuck, here are 3 quick tips to take your resistance and LEVERAGE it to create deeper understanding and then a strategy to actually address what is in your way:

  1. Breathe, and acknowledge that the resistance is normal. Don’t pretend it isn’t there. Notice what you are feeling.  And, does it feel familiar – are there other times in your past when you’ve felt this same feeling? [hint:  YES] Any observations?
  2. Remind yourself that the resistance/avoidance/frustration may be there under the belief that it will protect you. It’s your brain trying to keep you from taking an action (that in the past may have “hurt” you in some way.  Failing, being criticized, being told what to do by someone who didn’t value you, etc.).  Write your observations down.
  3. Take 5-10 minutes and write about your why. In my prior messages and on Linked In, I’ve written several articles about the importance of being connected to your why and also what you really want – in terms of IMPACT. Spending a few minutes writing about these things will help re-energize you to take charge of your situation, knowing that your work matters.  Or it will help you make a change so that you can use your time for your true purpose!  As I work with my leadership coaching clients 1:1, all forms of resistance show up… and that’s when a breakthrough can occur!  If you’d like to dig a little deeper with me, you can schedule a complimentary clarity call with me by clicking here.

These calls are a great way to shine a light on what actions would make the biggest impact for you, and to see if and how I might be able to support you along the way.

Happy Summer!

Kathryn

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