I was in the gym working out one Monday and a person I’ve gotten to know said “I’m not feeling it.” When I was a strength coach if I got a quarter for every time someone said that I could have bought a house on a beach somewhere.
We all say this in some way or another. When we allow our feelings to dictate our performance we are setting ourselves up for big problems and poor results.
As a leader you may never struggle with this, but I know the most difficult person for me to lead is the guy I look at in the mirror every morning. What can we do when we are not feeling like . . . or what can we do to help those around us struggling with a similar challenge?
GET IN MOTION
I have heard it said that emotion is simply energy in motion. Yes, there are days we get up and the weather is not agreeable, or we look at our to do list and see challenges we do not want to face. We simply take the first step.
To build on the idea of exercise, imagine the second day back from working out after a long break. We are sore and can barely move, but we crawl out of bed and slowly start moving. As we get in motion and muscles loosen, we feel better and eventually the emotion comes. We must take the first step though.
CONSISTENCY
Leadership expert John Maxwell says, “consistency compounds.” We feed a habit and a mindset by what we do consistently as leaders. If I continually berate those I lead then I will get the compounding effect of low morale. On the other hand, if I continually lift others up and encourage them, I will get the opposite effect.
As we consistently move into motion our emotion will catch up. Another way this has been said is “motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”1 Regular consistent discipline will keep you and your team moving in the direction that will help you achieve your goals.
ROUTINE
What do you do at the beginning of every day? What about around lunch time? In the evening? Do these habits create a routine that will keep your energy and enthusiasm high?
We all have habits which are created out of our routines. Each morning I get up shave, go downstairs to eat, read, and journal. This routine gets me moving and gets my mind going in a positive direction. I am a person of many routines, but at times I need to evaluate whether these routines are moving me in the direction of my goal or not.
What about you? What helps you when you are “not feeling it”? Is there a routine you need to change? Are you consistent in the right things? Whatever is holding you back, get in motion and take the first step to help yourself and those you lead perform at a higher level. Lead well.
© 2019 Wheeler Coaching, All Rights Reserved
- Maxwell, John C. 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.
