![\"turn-around-sign.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.karlbradley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/turn-around-sign.jpeg.jpg?resize=351%2C219&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nWhile attending a leadership development course a few years ago, a funny thing happened.\u00a0 My rental car came with one of the old style GPS units that stick to the windshield.\u00a0 It certainly came in handy as my international cell phone didn’t work.\u00a0 The first time I used it to find a restaurant.\u00a0 The ladies voice came on with directions.\u00a0 “Turn Right”.\u00a0 “Proceed to Turnaround Drive!”\u00a0 That’s funny I thought then she said it again.\u00a0 “Turn right on Turnaround Drive!”\u00a0 Well, “Turnaround Drive” didn’t exist & there wasn’t a road there.\u00a0 Now what?\u00a0 Maybe it just needed to catch up with the satellites.\u00a0 Eventually, there was a road & I got dinner.\u00a0 Every time I went in that direction she told me the same thing…too weird.\u00a0 After the second time, my mind started to wonder if the GPS unit was trying to tell me something.<\/p>\n
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Was my life direction headed the wrong way?\u00a0 Did I need to “turnaround”?\u00a0 If so, what direction should it be?\u00a0 Was the leadership development class the right decision?\u00a0 Is it in line with where I want my life to go?\u00a0 Hard questions, necessary for sure.<\/p>\n
Rocks in Your Backpack<\/p>\n
A mentor once told me to get rid of the rocks<\/em> in my backpack.\u00a0 Interesting way of compartmentalizing the unnecessary emotional baggage we carry around.\u00a0 The beliefs we attach to what “should” have happened only get in the way of the good we can do in the future.\u00a0 Work through the emotions, learn what you can & focus on doing your best the next day.\u00a0 It all begins in our mind.\u00a0 We can’t control it, we can only develop a healthier kind of detachment, a new perspective on how thoughts come & go.\u00a0 It’s our conscious choice to attach meaning or value to them.\u00a0 Keep only what reinforces your true self & let the rest pass as part of a healthy active mind.<\/p>\n Day Tight Compartments<\/p>\n In Dale Carnegie’s book “How To Stop Worrying and Start Living<\/em>“, he introduces the concept of living in “day-tight compartments”.\u00a0 A great way of looking at our efforts each day toward the life we want to lead.\u00a0 When we do our best each day, live our truth & keep a learning mindset, we can look at ourselves in the mirror each night with a feeling of satisfaction.\u00a0 We did all we could do that day.\u00a0 Get some rest & start again tomorrow.\u00a0 Simply getting busy “doing” will help keep the worry bug away.\u00a0 After all, when we worry we have to suffer twice (at least).<\/p>\n Time or Energy<\/p>\n Everyone has a different way of approaching each day.\u00a0 If you are a time management person, this may resonate.\u00a0 Heard this way of thinking about our time from a speech a few years back.\u00a0 Here’s the\u00a02,10,5,7 rule…<\/p>\n -2 hours upon waking for self-improvement & organizing your day<\/p>\n -10 hours facilitating others success through working inside our strengths<\/p>\n -5 hours family\/friends connection time<\/p>\n -7 hours of sleep<\/p>\n Structure helps & is a must.\u00a0 No matter if you lean toward time management or prefer an “energy” focus, some structure will benefit your constant improvement.\u00a0 Your daily “plan” speaks volumes to the dedication you have to your life goals.<\/p>\n Two Leadership Surprises<\/p>\n The secret to concentration is elimination.\u00a0\u00a0The less you do the more you can accomplish.\u00a0 What?\u00a0 We can’t give away what we’ve been asked to do, can we?\u00a0 This isn’t always intuitive but it’s true.\u00a0 When we delegate our weaknesses it creates opportunities for others to develop their talents.\u00a0 When we work in our strengths it projects how everyone can bring value to the enterprise & grow in a positive direction.\u00a0 This wise approach leads to increased individual\/team engagement, retention & builds trust.\u00a0 High performing teams have realized not only connection but the extension of their collective abilities.<\/p>\n So, what about those rocks in my backpack?\u00a0 Still working through getting over the ugliness of past events.\u00a0 They are part of my narrative but don’t have to define me.\u00a0 The journey to learn from them before throwing them out can be painful but if you’re a real leader you must listen & learn from them.\u00a0 People are counting on you to be at your best & how we deal with life’s trials\/tribulations is often the measure of who we are.<\/p>\n All the best!<\/p>\n Karl<\/p>\n