LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it." Brené Brown

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

Brené Brown has done work and research on the topics of vulnerability and shame (to just name a few) for decades. Her Ted Talk on vulnerability is one of the most highly viewed videos on that platform. I've read a couple of her books and have heard her on a couple of podcasts and I've really been challenged by her. This month I'll share a couple of quotes of hers so you can learn more about her.

This past week I began a LifePlan with a leader, and we spent much of the morning on his STORY.

The power of our story is an incredible thing, and I was reminded of that when I saw Browns quote above.

We all have a STORY and each of us need to figure out what ownership of that story looks like.

With my client this past week, once we had key aspects of his story up on the wall, then the opportunity for perspective kicks in: What lessons have been learned? What did that season of life feel like? How am I different today because of my story? How am I going to be different moving forward because of my story?

A story is powerful!

In the quote above she talks about "owning" our story and about the difficulty of "running" from our story.

Where do you fall with your story: Do you OWN it? This means you have acknowledged it, you're learning from it and you have faced it? Or are you RUNNING FROM IT? This means you ignore it, you're ashamed of it and/or you just want to forget it?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have." Tim Ferriss

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This is the final quote I'll share from Tim Ferriss. While I have listened and read to a lot of what Ferriss has produced, I will say that I don't always agree with 100% of what he shares, but it causes me to think.

The quote above is one of those for me.

Here's my question for you: Do you AGREE with this statement or do you DISAGREE with his quote?

I'll share below my personal opinion below, however there is a whole theme embedded in the idea of "uncomfortable conversations" and how we embrace them.

We can call this "managing conflict" or a term used is "crucial conversations". However we define it, it's simply the ability to have these kinds of conversations with people.

As Ferris addresses the theme of productivity in much of his work, he zeros in on the idea that FEAR often keeps us from doing what it is we were made to do or what it is we really want to do.

For many of us, having a difficult or uncomfortable conversation with someone is something that we tend to avoid, ignore or rush through as quickly as possible.

Do you AGREE with his statement that your ability to experience success is linked directly with your ability to have these uncomfortable conversations?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Lack of time is actually lack of priorities" Tim Ferriss

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I've been following Tim Ferriss for a number of years, primarily through a couple of his books and his podcast.

The above quote from Ferriss is simply another reminder to me that I should be in control of my priorities!

Why do I often feel like I'm chasing these things instead of thriving around them?

Jim Collins makes this even simpler in his book, Good to Great when he clarifies, "If you have more then three priorities, you don't have any."

There is so much help out there in the form of resources to help us zero in on these priorities. We really shouldn't have any excuses, besides our general desire and discipline to focus.

What would be your top THREE priorities that you're focused on today?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Often, all that stands between you and what you want is a better set of questions." Tim Ferriss

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I've been following Tim Ferriss for a number of years, primarily through a couple of his books and his podcast. I don't listen to every podcast, but I've enjoyed many as he interviews a wide variety of people and asks questions of productivity, performance and many times really interesting conversations. He did a Ted Talk entitled "Why you should define your fears instead of your goals."

This quote is from Tim Ferris in his book, Tribe of Mentors, and it's been said in different ways from different people for years, but this thought resonated with me today as I think about QUESTIONS.

Warren Berger, in his book A More Beautiful Question says simply, "You don't learn unless you question."

Why are we afraid of asking questions?

• We're afraid of being EMBARRASSED. Asking questions makes us vulnerable and it lets others know that we don't have the answer.

• We're not willing to do the WORK. Asking questions often leads us in new directions and many times we just want the easy route.

• We're used to being TOLD WHAT TO DO and questions are discouraged. Questions can be viewed as challenging or testing.

• We're don't take the TIME. We're in too much of a hurry and we don't stop long enough to figure out what questions to ask.

What keeps you from asking questions when you have them? Why do you stay quiet instead of bringing something up?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do." Tim Ferriss

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I've been following Tim Ferriss for a number of years, primarily through a couple of his books and his podcast. I don't listen to every podcast, but I've enjoyed many as he interviews a wide variety of people and asks questions of productivity, performance and many times really interesting conversations. He did a Ted Talk entitled "Why you should define your fears instead of your goals."

This quote is a theme Ferriss drives. He often asks people about their fear, and that leads to the conversation around performance & productivity.

This quote is true for me. Often the thing I fear, or the thing I put off the longest is the thing I need to do the most.

I remember a time that I was called on to speak in front of a group of people. It wasn't planned, and I was asked to step in at the last minute. I had about 10 minutes of pure PANIC. I think that's what fear feels like for me... that idea of being completely out of control, and unsure of what will happen.

10 minutes of panic.

But, the second I stood up in front, the fear and panic went away, and I had a peace that just filled me. I enjoyed the presentation, and think I did OK, but I Iearned a lesson at that moment:

Fear is temporary. As soon as you face your fear, you're able to move through it, hopefully quickly.

What does the word FEAR bring up for you? What does it stir?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Your life matters. You are here for a reason. Your job is to determine why." Michael Hyatt

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This is the last quote from Michael Hyatt this month. I've been following Hyatt for years and he continues to develop resources to help leaders succeed in both life and leadership! I encourage you to learn more about what is offered at Full Focus.

This final quote from Hyatt is simply a reminder to each of you today.

It's Tuesday, and if you're like me, sometimes you ask yourself if what you're doing is really making a difference. This question often pops up in my mind, and I walk through a simple process, reminding myself of why my life matters.

This all stems from the general question: "What am I here for?" Each of us need to determine the answer to this question, then spend our lives living that out.

What's amazing is how easy it is to lose sight of this purpose or this calling. All it takes is one challenging moment or one negative comment or one frustration and we're ready to change course.

Calling and purpose is so much more than a reaction to a situation.

I often challenge people with this question:

"What gets you out of bed in the morning? What is your WHY?"

You are here for a purpose, and you need to be able to constantly remind yourself of that purpose, especially when things get a little foggy. How do you stay on track?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Self-leadership always precedes team leadership." Michael Hyatt

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

We'll do a couple more quotes from Michael Hyatt this month. I've been following Hyatt for years and he continues to develop resources to help leaders succeed in both life and leadership! I encourage you to learn more about what is offered at Full Focus.

I love this quote from him because it's a great reminder to me as a leader. This is a lesson I learned early on from one of my mentors, and because of this I've created some healthy habits of self-leadership in my life. I wish I could say that I've mastered this area, but because I'm aware of the importance of this, it's a daily battle and a daily struggle to stay in alignment.

I looked up what "self-leadership" is defined as. This is what I found:

"Self-leadership is the ability to influence and direct your own thoughts and actions to successfully reach goals and build a satisfying life."

That's a pretty general description. I would probably rather describe it this way:

"Self-Leadership is the discipline to focus on leading from a place of health and strength FIRST. As you are healthy, you're able to lead others in a healthy and effective way."

This isn't selfish. It's called leading from health. Leading from success. Leading from a full-tank.

Are you able to prioritize your self-leadership? Is there a void in your life?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"The busier you are, the more intentional you must be." Michael Hyatt

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This month I want to look at some quotes from Michael Hyatt. I've been following Hyatt for years and he continues to develop resources to help leaders succeed in both life and leadership! I encourage you to learn more about what is offered at Full Focus.

The name of Hyatt's company is FULL FOCUS. This aligns exactly with the quote above I'm sharing.

I don't know about you, but when I get busy, it becomes more and more difficult to focus, or to be intentional.

When I'm TOO busy:

• I'm usually running from one thing to another

• I'm not finishing things well, so I'm usually making a mess

• Often I'm rushing through something just to check it off my list

• I'm not paying attention to all that's going on around me

There's a difference between being "BUSY" and being "TOO BUSY".

Being busy is just a part of life and leadership. Being busy isn't a bad thing. Being busy is usually connected to productivity, to results and to vision.

But being TOO busy can get you in trouble. When you're "too busy", the idea of being focused and being intentional is critical.

What does your "busy" look like? What does your "too busy" look like in your life?