17 Feb 2010 at 01:55
ZenLeader
intentionality
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“A sharp word from my partner or a sassy one from my daughter provides a startling reminder of the fragility of unconditional love.”
How much of your day are you awake? I mean really awake. Try a simple exercise. Contemplate all that you think and do between waking and sleeping on an average day. Strip out everything you do out of sheer habit. Next peel away all that you do out of obligation, obsession, and compulsion; or under duress; or to neutralize, minimize or otherwise reduce emotional charge. Finally, eliminate every thought made or action taken in reaction to the comments or actions of others. Now, what do you have left? For most of us, very little day remains.
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09 Feb 2010 at 20:27
ZenLeader
commitments, core values, guidance, guide, leadership, outcome, personal compass, satisfaction, self-expression, service, transparency
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“ I know I am on the right track for a passionate, full life if I wake up a little afraid every day.”
Note: I briefly discussed self-expression in my January 25th blog post “Set your Life Compass to Satisfaction” as one of three elements to creating your personal or life compass with its companions being personal values and life commitments. However, self expression is a whole topic unto itself which deserves a thorough treatment. This posting is dedicated to that treatment.
Each of us has a unique calling. Some of us are virtually born knowing what that calling is. Others of us have to enjoin in a struggle that combines an epic quest with mountain moving. Regardless, our calling awaits us insisting on its expression. How do we know that we have found our calling? By the passion, the joy, and yes, the satisfaction we feel when we are expressing it. If so many great things come from pursuing ones calling why aren’t we all doing it all the time?
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02 Feb 2010 at 15:02
ZenLeader
commitments, core values, created life, in the moment, in the now, intentionality, judgment, leadership, life architect, outcome, satisfaction, self-expression, service
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“It is an exercise in letting go of each moment as it disappears and accepting that no moment, no matter how exquisite, can be prolonged.”
I love a challenge. I mean I really love a challenge. I am especially happy when the problems that I am attempting to solve are expansive, far reaching, complex, messy with human engagement, have long term implications, and require unobtainable knowledge. For these sorts of problems there usually is not one right solution nor can I solve it alone. Rather I along with my colleagues and associates have to navigate through a number of alternative solutions, each with its associated tradeoffs, to select the best fit at the moment. Resolving them requires one part strategy, one part influence, and three parts grit and tenacity. Tackling such challenges brings me passion and excitement allowing me to live in the moment while simultaneously developing a picture of the future I am working toward. Woo hoo! However, things can rapidly go south for me and those and me if I get attached to a particular outcome or the way we are getting it done.
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