07/11/2022
Mindset & Self-Reflection Create Motivation
Happy Monday everyone!
For many of you (and me included) it's back at it from the holiday week! The week of the 4th of July is much like the time between Christmas and New Years but with different weather and sports! It also means that this Monday will be a tough transition day back to reality. So let's talk mindset and self-reflection.
We have a new podcast episode up that will be Part 1 of 2 on my Four Pillars of Leadership. In this first part, I talk about how important Mindset is to leadership. Without the proper mindset, you will forever see the world as fixed and unchangeable. This tends to create an environment where neither you as the leader nor the people you lead have much positive motivation. You don't see the point in trying new strategies or promoting or entertaining new ideas because your "fixed" (and often negative) mindset says things like "what's the point" or "they will never change."
Remember our mindset is a current state of thought that is impacted by our paradigm, or filter through which we see the world. When we allow our thoughts to be impacted negatively, we will actually feel it physically. Our thoughts create our actions which impact not only ourselves, but those with whom we interact. So, how do we control this?
Well, one of the best ways I've taught myself to control where my mindset is drifting, is by taking a daily (and sometimes more than once daily) look at myself through the second pillar, self-reflection. I have found that my journal is often my best ally in helping me see patterns of actions and behaviors as I've interacted with others throughout the day to serve as that "check" on where my mindset is.
Journaling has helped me write three books, a multitude of course content, and to become the best instructor I can be.
I write about the interactions that went well and some that didn't.
I jot down thoughts as I'm teaching classes. This is a practice that goes back to when I was a chief. It helped me see where I was doing well and really helping and motivating others and where I needed to work.
In every class we teach we give each student a blank journal. I do this for several reasons. As part of our student journey and experience, we want you to determine what is most important from class. By taking the notes on the topics of most import to you, you will likely remember it and actually use it when you get back to work. We also encourage each student to begin the daily habit of self-reflecting on their day as a leader. What did the do well? What could they do better next time? Who do they need to go back and heal from the interactions today? In doing this, you start to motivate yourself to take the pro-active steps that make you a better leader AND you will be surprised how this begins to positively impact those you lead! You will start to see more intrinsic or internal motivation from them. You will start to hear more ideas from them that leads to true synergy within the workplace.
Mindset is impacted by self-reflection and vice versa. Truly, it is. There was a time in my career where I didn't have a great mindset. I didn't spend a lot of time reflecting on what I did well and not-so-well and it showed in all areas of my life. Once I started really making the time to create the habit of daily self-reflection, I found my mindset started to improve steadily. It impacted my personal and professional relationships in positive ways and led to greater self-growth and development.
So, I challenge each of you to grab your favorite pen and find a journal you like and start this practice today! Start with just a few sentences answering honestly to yourself what happened today and what did I learn from it? It doesn't have to be a novel or great prose, just a few lines that mean something to you now and that you can go back you a month or a year or several years from now and say, "yeah, I remember that time and what I learned to help myself and others become the best leaders possible."
Have a great week!
Dean |