How Are You Leading - Yourself?

We have a choice.

Epidemics, like earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, are part of the cycle of life on planet Earth.

How will we respond? With greed, hatred, fear and ignorance? This only brings more suffering. Or with generosity, clarity, steadiness and love?
This is the time for love.

       - Jack Kornfield, Buddhist teacher

Leadership takes many forms. Now more than ever we are being called upon to model leadership by embracing uncertainty, and bringing empathy, resiliency, and inner clarity to all our interactions.

How do we do this? Take time to ground yourself. If sitting in silence for twenty minutes in the morning is too much, take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply and practice letting your thoughts go and your feelings be. 

Focus on what is in your control. Not nearly often enough do we take action when we ask ourselves, “Do I need to live more simply?” and “What would life be like if I earned less and spent less?” Too seldom we ask ourselves, “How can I maximize the time I live in the present moment?” or “How can I maximize my inner wealth, as opposed to my outer wealth?” (borrowed from George Kinder, the father of financial life planning).

And, of course, be optimistic. Humans are remarkably resilient. This is not the first time we’ve conquered a pandemic or economic threat. It will not be the last, either. I wish I knew how long this will last, but I don’t. But I do know this: We’ll get through it together.