PATIENCE

Dec

2023

Three Keys to Reducing Hurry

I have to close out the year and finish strong.

I have to attend all the holiday parties I’m invited to.

I have to get all the gifts bought and wrapped.

I have to create my plan and set myself up to start the new year strong.

I have to . . . .

I thought this time of year was supposed to be full of joy, but it seems we all get caught up in “have to” syndrome. Ironically, I just finished reading two books others recommended to me that help us with the hurry of life. Hurrying occurs not just during the holidays but throughout the year.

One book is by a pastor, and the other is by a sports psychologist. One was recommended to me a while ago, and the other is a friend of mine. Both have great insights, but I don’t have time to share them all, so I have put links to the books at the end of this post, but below are a few principles I hope help you to lead yourself well during this holiday season and beyond.

Our Time Creates Us

“…how we spend our time is how we spend our lives. It’s who we become (or don’t become).”

John Mark Comer

As one year ends another begins maybe you create time to reflect on the past year and look at where you spent (or hopefully invested) your time. I have heard there are two places to find out our priorities . . . our bank account and our calendar.

We all have the same amount of time. The question is, are we leading ourselves intentionally or accidentally? Whether you have decades or years of life the way we use our time creates us.

I have a friend who passed away a year ago and in the last months of his life he was living his best life. He poured his time and energy into people. At his funeral, the room was packed, and it was a demonstration of a life lived on purpose, not just chasing the urgent.

Our Time Can Be Directed

“If everything in life is urgent, then fast is the only speed we have toward everything. And urgency toward everything will cause stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed.”

Dr. Rob Bell

Comer discusses disciplines such as silence, solitude, and slowing to help us with the problem of hurry or urgency that Dr. Bell mentions above. Your life is full as a leader, and you have a bent toward action. We can’t stop moving forward, but maybe we need to consider slowing down and creating space to relieve the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

In my book 25 Ways to Lead Better at Work and Home, I suggest nine ways to recharge, such as reading, being in a community that supports you, exercising, and others. This concept of recharging during the holidays can be as simple as a few minutes with your coffee in the morning, thinking and prioritizing your day to direct us out of hurry and into an intentional investment of time.

Patience is Essential

“Success grows in those who know what is important, and act with urgency toward the important. Peace rests with those who are also patient with the results.”

Dr. Rob Bell

A successful leader focuses on his or her priorities and moves with laser focus toward those few priorities. This leader patiently works the plan and knows the results take time.

This is a journey that is difficult for me because I want it done . . . yesterday. I am learning to enjoy the process and continue to consistently take steps toward the goal, knowing the results will come in time. Our job is consistently planting the seeds that will lead to our desired success. This requires persistence and patience.

How are you doing in these three areas? What could you do this holiday season to slow down and enjoy the process? As you look ahead to the new year, maybe you want to focus on your priorities to help you move purposefully and patiently forward with less hurry. Check out Prioritizing for Success to help you get focused as you round out this year and head into the new one. Resist the hurry, choose patience and lead well.

Comer, John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Bell, Dr. Robb. I Can’t Wait to Be Patient (And The Fastest Way to Get There).

Wheeler, Randy. 25 Ways to Lead Better at Work and Home.

Aug

2023

Keys to Effective Delegation

As a business leader, you understand the importance of delegating tasks and trusting the process. It can be difficult to manage every aspect of what you lead, so it’s important to recognize when you need to delegate some of your responsibilities to someone else. Delegation can be challenging, but when done correctly, it can be incredibly beneficial to the success of your business.

Clarity

When delegating tasks, be clear and concise about what needs to be done. Outline the job that needs to be completed, the timeline for completion, and any specific requirements or criteria that need to be met. This will ensure the task is completed correctly and within the time frame needed. It’s also important to communicate your expectations for the task. This gives the person you are delegating to the best chance of success.

Trust

One of the most critical aspects of delegation is trust. This may require you to take the time to get to know the person you are entrusting the task to. Ask them questions about their experience and skills, and find out how they would handle different situations. Provide them with smaller tasks to test them and grow your trust. When you’ve determined this person is capable of handling the task, you can know they will complete it correctly and on time.

Feedback

Provide feedback and support to those you have delegated tasks to. This helps ensure tasks are completed to the best of their abilities, and that the team is working together efficiently and effectively. If you have provided clarity on what you expect up front then feedback will communicate how well they are meeting your expectations.

Patience

Remember, trust is earned over time, so be patient and consistent. Don’t expect perfection; mistakes will happen, and that’s OK. When they do, teach, correct, and encourage them so they feel empowered to continue to stretch themselves. Showing respect and understanding will go a long way in building trust and creating a successful delegation relationship.

Which of these areas do you need to grow in with those you lead? Need help thinking into your leadership and growth? Contact me for a no-cost to you coaching session. Keep delegating and lead well.