A strong leadership mindset isn’t built on unrealistic New Year goals or chasing perfection. It’s about resilience, perspective and choosing to move onwards and upwards, even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
It’s that time of year again – the new year, new you stuff.
It may seem a little un-coachlike, but I just can’t buy into that routine any more. Mainly because I’ve come to like the me I have now and don’t particularly want a new one thank you. Also, because I’m the only ‘me’ I have. That tends to focus the mind a little…
I was grateful to have some thinking time over the holidays, reflecting on the last year and where I was going in future. It’s been a mixed year in many ways, but let’s face it, aren’t most of them like this?
And this is where I think a lot of the problem lies with this whole New Year schtick.
This year is going to be the one… This year I’m going to develop the perfect body… This year I’m going to find the perfect work-life balance/relationship/house and on it goes…
The real answer to whether you have a ‘successful’ year or not won’t lie in setting some massive goal – It will depend on your mindset.
I experienced an interesting bit of synchronicity around this mindset during our annual Christmas holiday to the Cairngorms. In the morning, I’d decided to write a blog called ‘Onwards and Upwards’ for the new year. That afternoon we were hiking through the forest and happened to meet a chap coming down the track on a very unusual looking off-road trike. Me being me, I just had to stop him and ask him about it. (Hint, never take a seat next to me on a bus unless you’re ready for a chat!)
Anyway, it turns out he had motor-neurone disease. He was in his 70’s and had been a keen cyclist all his life, but couldn’t ride his usual mountain bike any more. He was moping around, thinking of all he’d lost, when he discovered a place that hired out bikes for people with mobility problems. And there he was, absolutely beaming at being able to get out and about, doing daft things and getting muddy on his bike again. Not in exactly the same way as before, but in the place and manner that gave him joy again.
As we parted company he said, ‘Onwards and upwards!‘ and there it was – the phrase I’d woken with that morning! I don’t relate this story to say what a remarkably brave chap he was, etc, etc. I think it’s unlikely there was anything unusual about him apart from his mindset. What he was doing, was ‘making the best of a bad job’ as it were. He wasn’t deluded and he knew the reality of his situation, but was determined to make the most of it while he could.
The fact is, we will all be inevitably challenged one way or another this coming year. Some of us more than others, but that’s life. No more than that. The problem is, we’re all sold this vision of the perfect life that starts with – ‘If only…‘
So instead, here’s an alternative mindset. It’s not defeatist, it’s one that takes more of a Stoical outlook. There will be inevitable challenges and disappointments at some point this coming year, both significant and minor, so let’s accept that and know this doesn’t mean things are ‘broken’ or ‘ruined’. Rather it means nothing, other than the fact these things happen and that we have the option (or not) to say ‘Onwards and Upwards!’ and push on through to make things as good as we can for ourselves and others.
The real answer to whether you have a ‘successful’ year or not won’t lie in setting some massive goal – It will depend on your mindset.
I experienced an interesting bit of synchronicity around this mindset during our annual Christmas holiday to the Cairngorms. In the morning, I’d decided to write a blog called ‘Onwards and Upwards’ for the new year. That afternoon we were hiking through the forest and happened to meet a chap coming down the track on a very unusual looking off-road trike. Me being me, I just had to stop him and ask him about it. (Hint, never take a seat next to me on a bus unless you’re ready for a chat!)
Anyway, it turns out he had motor-neurone disease. He was in his 70’s and had been a keen cyclist all his life, but couldn’t ride his usual mountain bike any more. He was moping around, thinking of all he’d lost, when he discovered a place that hired out bikes for people with mobility problems. And there he was, absolutely beaming at being able to get out and about, doing daft things and getting muddy on his bike again. Not in exactly the same way as before, but in the place and manner that gave him joy again.
As we parted company he said, ‘Onwards and upwards!‘ and there it was – the phrase I’d woken with that morning! I don’t relate this story to say what a remarkably brave chap he was, etc, etc. I think it’s unlikely there was anything unusual about him apart from his mindset. What he was doing, was ‘making the best of a bad job’ as it were. He wasn’t deluded and he knew the reality of his situation, but was determined to make the most of it while he could.
The fact is, we will all be inevitably challenged one way or another this coming year. Some of us more than others, but that’s life. No more than that. The problem is, we’re all sold this vision of the perfect life that starts with – ‘If only…‘
So instead, here’s an alternative mindset. It’s not defeatist, it’s one that takes more of a Stoical outlook. There will be inevitable challenges and disappointments at some point this coming year, both significant and minor, so let’s accept that and know this doesn’t mean things are ‘broken’ or ‘ruined’. Rather it means nothing, other than the fact these things happen and that we have the option (or not) to say ‘Onwards and Upwards!’ and push on through to make things as good as we can for ourselves and others.
That’s what I aim to do anyway! Here’s to a positive and productive new year!
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If you’re curious about our coaching and training support, even if you’re not sure what you’re quite looking for yet, then check out the support we offer your sector, or click the link to book an informal, no-obligation chat.
