It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." Albert Einstein
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
It's February and this month I'm going to share some quotes that talk about SELF CARE. You can read this month's posts HERE.
This quote from Einstein hit me the other day. He's talking about our ability to "wonder" at the world, even alluding to the "mystery" that's around us.
However the word that sticks out to me is the word PAUSE.
Pause defined can be this:
"a temporary stop in action or speech; interrupt action or speech briefly"
When was the last time you paused for something
This past weekend, Gina and I were on a walk in our neighborhood and the sky was stunning. We walked and talked about how beautiful it was then we just stopped to look at it. Of course I tried to capture a picture of it which didn't do it justice, but what a sight!
We're talking about self-care, and I think Einstein is on to something through these words. Do you like how he says, "you're as good as dead" if you can't find the time to pause in wonder and awe?
We're reminded I Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."
Learning to PAUSE is self-care. It puts things back into perspective, it reminds you of who God is and it forces to to stop for just a moment to "ponder & wonder".
Today, find the time to just PAUSE. Open your eyes and look around you. You will be amazed.
DEEPER STILL:
I remember when I was in a Coaching Certification Program, and in one of the courses, they talked about the "power of pause" when you're coaching someone. The idea was simple and I'll personalize it to illustrate the thought:
Often when I'm in conversation, I'm constantly thinking about what my response will be to what they're saying. Sometimes I'm not even listening fully to what they're saying because what I have to say is going to be so good!
The instructor simply said this: "Let the PAUSE do the heavy lifting".
The idea in coaching is that it's not what we're saying that's important for our client... it's what the client is thinking about and processing that is most important.
When we just "stop talking", it allows time to think, wonder, process and listen differently.
For most of us, the pause is uncomfortable because we want to be productive, and we want to use our time wisely. I've learned, and am continuing to learn that there's "power in the pause" and many times there are incredible breakthroughs when we just stop and listen.
This can be pausing to snap a picture or stare at a beautiful sky
This can be taking a deep breath before responding to a question
This can be truly listening instead of thinking about what to say next
This can be a moment of silence in the midst of a busy day
Try it. Let your PAUSE do the heavy lifting, both in conversations and as you stop in "Awe & Wonder".
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I just finished this book, Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Some really good learning, reminders and challenges to sleep!
I just ordered some journals from this company OtterBlotter. I liked the sample I received and will use them for an upcoming leadership event.
International Coaching Federation provides the "gold standard" of coaching credentials.
I enjoyed the podcast on Ben & Jerry's Phish Food on The Best Idea Yet.
OK, I was just exposed to the first time to Doggyland both on Apple and YouTube. Snoop Doggs songs and rhymes for kids (and parents... and grandparents)
This credit card has worked great for us in building up points to use at Marriott Hotel properties. Check it out HERE.