Episode 224: "Coloring your days." - A mindset of a Leader.

Greetings, Leaders.

Life and career are fast-moving and ever-changing. Each of us needs a proven strategy to build safeguards on our journey to prevent us from becoming overwhelmed.

What is your strategy for protecting yourself from being overwhelmed?

An IBM intern shared with me his strategy. "Time management, big to-do lists, step back now and then to relax between requirements helps relieve the stress and keep your cool." He shares that "taking time to decompress, organize my thoughts and plan things out helps me see there is enough time to get done what's important." 

The essential attribute I sense while listening to him is "attitude."

We can color every area of our lives, our whole personality, through our attitude. Our circumstances and what happens are not always of our choosing. But we can choose our attitude toward each situation.

Attitude starts in the heart of great leaders. We see it emphasized in quotes attributed to great leaders.

"As a person thinks in their heart, so they are."

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

"A cheerful heart has a continual feast."

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful."

"A discerning heart seeks knowledge."

What we allow ourselves to think matters. Here are three words to consider as you build your strategy against being overwhelmed on your life and career journey.

Outlook:  The IBM intern has an optimistic outlook. He believes that he can grow through the circumstances he faces. He shares his colleagues' recent boat trip on the Charles River in Boston. 

"We had a great time; it was raining, but it didn't matter. In the end, we saw a rainbow that caught everyone's attention." 

Rainbows! Train your mind. Look for the rainbow as a sign of something new, promises made, and victories ahead. Let it remind you to color each day with your attitude.

Perspective: "I am just learning that it is good to be uncomfortable. That is where growth occurs. It goes back to being growth-minded. It helps you know you are on the right path and empowers you."

Focus:  He practices gratitude for the good things in his life by writing down three things he is grateful for each day. We remember what we write down.  

What we allow to dominate our thinking will affect our attitude. Leaders have an opportunity to encourage others and share how they can protect themselves from the enemy named "overwhelming."

Follow the example of the IBM Intern and great leaders throughout the centuries. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

As he talked about his journey, he encouraged me to "Stay in attack mode. Then you are never on your heels." 

Let's encourage others even more!

Victory!