Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.
Johan Wolfgang von Goethe
We’ve come to the end of 2007 (in a few weeks’ time) and I’m wondering what this year was like for you? What were the highs and the lows and of which did you have more? I’ve heard many people saying that things (life) with time only become tougher/worse, just as the pace only becomes faster. The challenges are becoming more, and more daunting. Is it our imagination? Is life indeed more difficult today than what it was in any other time of our history – or is it only different? Were people happier in the past? Do we have more bad news in our lifetime than previous generations? Is it possible that the answer to these questions is more determined by a person’s outlook on life, either positive or negative, than by any set of conditions? And that the split between positively minded and negatively minded people, across religious and cultural differences, is constant?
Many questions … no clear-cut answers. What is more clear-cut is the recent findings (141 respondents) of our 3ddiagnostic stress audit (read about this diagnostic at www.3ddiagnostic.co.za). Close to 35% found themselves in the moderate distress, burnout (22%) and breakdown zones of the Moch Stress Curve. On average, people feel exhausted 64% of the time! These certainly are serious warning signs about our disability to counter the challenges of modern life.
In leadership we need positively minded and mentally strong people. A rugby team going half time to their change rooms exhausted, could have all the skills and potential in the world but will struggle to stay positively minded about winning the game. Leaders have to be mentally and spiritually fit. They are in the position to either add to the stress that people experience at work or to buffer the stress and create an environment that will reduce stress. One critical area is the communication of expectations. 68% indicated that they experience the absence of communication about management’s expectations as a stressor. It is obvious that we need to be sure ourselves of what we want from our team before we will be able to communicate expectations with any clarity and conviction. Often the truth is not that we don’t have the time to communicate, but the fact that we are not clear ourselves on what exactly we want to communicate. With things drifting in the absence of direction, it also adds to people’s stress.
Which brings me to the wisdom of our quote: Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced. How convinced are you of what you are doing or trying to do? It is the strength of our belief in what we want to achieve and where we are heading that fuels our own and others’ positive energies. How can you fill your own tank of positive energy in preparation for 2008?
I can think of at least four commitments you need to make. 1) Allocate the time you need for deep reflective thinking/meditation – and double it 2) Use the time to seek solace, peace and quiet, spiritually 3) Read something inspirational or educational 4) Share your thoughts, doubts and hopes with someone you feel comfortable with 5) Write down your commitments to those top 3 actions you are going to take in 2008 that you truly believe will make 2008 qualitatively better than 2007 – at work, family and personal levels .
In addition I share with you the following helpful ideas:
Wise people recognise that they are where they are today because of the thoughts that have brought them there, and they know that the outcome of tomorrow will be determined by where they allow their thoughts to take them. There are 9 basic similarities in the way achievers choose to think:
1. They are less sensitive to disapproval and rejection than the rest of us. This doesn’t mean they don’t care, it just means that they don’t carry the baggage of what others think, around with them.
2. They think ‘bottom line’ – first they want to know the result, and then they ask for the highlights.
3. They focus on the task at hand – you simply can’t sidetrack them – they are consumed with what they are thinking about.
4. They are not superstitious. They believe that nothing happens because of some omen. Developing a mental routine can be helpful, but attributing performance to superstitious habits is not only detrimental, but a waste of energy.
5. They refuse to equate failure with self-worth – when they do make mistakes they rebound easily and put their mistakes behind them. They adopt the attitude that a failed project is not a failed person, and have therefore learned not to personalise failure.
6. They don’t restrict their thinking to established rigid patterns. In fact, they don’t think traditionally at all, being highly optional in all their approaches. They also realise that winning comes down to doing the little things well.
7. They see the big picture. They ‘play’ for today but ready themselves physically and mentally to stay in the game for the long haul.
8. They welcome challenges with optimism. As a result, they find challenges where most of us can’t even imagine them hiding, and then unearth the opportunities buried under them. They live by the principle that having an optimistic attitude is totally within their control.
9. They don’t waste their time with unproductive thinking, recognising that unproductive thoughts only divert attention away from the ultimate objectives.
Mental toughness is all about deciding what we are going to think about! (Seasoned Campaigner)
I trust you will enjoy a rejuvenating December, Christmas and Festive Season.
Warm regards
Gerhard
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