As Leaders, there will be times when we get impatient, have self-doubt, or decide to conform instead of transform. However, the great news is that we have control over our habits and can change them any time we want. Instead of struggling to change people and circumstances around us, let’s agree to change those habits that are keeping us from habitually engaging in our business and life.
By Brian Altman, Vice President of Leadership Development
When the New Year arrived, one of my resolutions was to make 2011 a year of “leadership growth” in all areas of my life. For the past few months, I’ve enjoyed combing through old journal notes as well as reading new material on a wide range of leadership subjects.
On more than one occasion during the past few months, I’ve found it challenging to actually stick to my goal. I knew I needed to keep on schedule but what was going on? Then one night I came across a quote that provided needed insight. The words from Louis XIV, a king who had the longest reign in European history, jumped off the page:
“There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.”
That was it. In reflecting, I realized my inability to stay on course and seize the opportunities before me was because I wasn’t staying mentally disciplined. In other words, I was allowing some bad habits to take up residence, preventing me from fully engaging in my goal. Do you ever find old habits creeping back into your life, preventing you from fully engaging in your goal?
I believe quite often in life and within our business, there are lessons and opportunities within our reach. But we miss them because we’re allowing the wrong habits to prevent us from reaching success.
So what’s preventing us from jumping right in and securing our destiny? What’s keeping us from leading by example? What’s holding us back? The answer lies in our habits. Our habits determine whether we succeed or fail, whether we try or procrastinate, whether we engage or quit. Our habits control how we think, how we feel, how we react, and what we do.
As Leaders, we need to realize we currently have habits that are preventing us from habitually engaging. Below are three of the most destructive habits we carry around:
1. Impatience. Have you ever asked yourself “Why is it taking so long?” We live in a world that screams “You can have it all right now!” But as Leaders we have to understand that FreeLife is not a lottery ticket. We’re not just going to wake up one day and hit the Power Ball. Success in our business, like life, takes effort, time, and leadership. Just as there are no instant habits or leaders, there are no instant businesses. Practice patience in your business because you don’t want success prematurely. Engage in the work so you become mature enough to handle success when it finally arrives.
2. Self-doubt. Have you ever said to yourself “Nothing good ever happens to me” or “I can’t and therefore don’t deserve it.” People have a tendency to be their our own worst enemy because of what they say to themselves. The reality is we’ve been given all the necessary talents and skills for success. When self-doubt invades our thoughts, we’re exercising an internal defense mechanism that allows for a way out. As Leaders, we must choose to believe that “we are worth it” and “we certainly can do it!” This is the cry of victory we need in our Leaders.
3. Conforming. The way we respond to experiences in our life is a learned behavior. And based on these experiences, we either “become conformed” or “decide to transform.” In other words, we either choose to stay in the back seat or get behind the wheel. As Leaders, we must realize that we should not be conformed to this world, but take charge of our lives and proactively transform into the Leaders we are designed to be.
We’re all under construction. As Leaders, there will be times when we get impatient, have self-doubt, or decide to conform instead of transform. However, the great news is that we have control over our habits and can change them any time we want. Instead of struggling to change people and circumstances around us, let’s agree to change those habits that are keeping us from habitually engaging in our business and life. God bless.
