Meet the moment: the power of slowing down
Consider this—You have everything you need right now to meet the moment.
I was interviewed recently by the amazing Creative Director/Branding Coach, Carrie Brito. We were preparing content for The Alchemy Group’s On The Court series, and I was asked “what’s the most powerful practice I use in my coaching?” Without hesitation, it’s Slowing Down.
In our conversation I shared this, “We slow down, to Be effective.” Whenever I launch with a new client, I introduce them to a simple tool to understand the impact of slowing down in real-time:
Breathe in and breathe out, let go of the past (the past is done). How often we forget that.
Breath in and breath out, let go of any ideas of the future (the future is not here). Stop negative/fretful future tripping or fantastical/magical thinking.
Breath in and breathe out, recognize you have everything you need to meet this moment. This engages us with the truth of the moment, as it is.
Now reflect on what has occurred.
If you practiced the above exercise, BRAVA you’re refining your leadership. And you’re more present; with yourself, what’s occurring around you AND to the choices that are available to you right now.
Consider this: Leadership requires us to produce high-quality thinking, astute discernment and clear decision making. That never occurs with a scattered or racing mind.
Here are three questions for cultivating this slowed down, high-quality approach to your leadership:
Where are my feet right now? This may sound funny, yet with all of our mental activity it’s hard to remain embodied and grounded.
Where is my heart at this moment? I hope this one slows you down all by itself. What wisdom, guidance or calm is available to you? And, if our hearts are not “in it”, what does wisdom have to share?
What choice am I making at this moment? Does it align with the Vision I am holding for myself, and my team?
Congratulations! Leadership isn’t a title, it’s a presence—and you just practiced a new way of BEing in your leadership. I know that if any of the above applies to you, it means you’re often in back-to-back (to-back) meetings on most days … and it can be a challenge to feel like you “can” slow down. The only one who gets to decide is YOU.
What’s leading YOU?
Shout out to Allison Wik & Sandy Sullivan of The Alchemy Group, Carrie Brito for their continued inspiration.
