When every physical and mental resource is focused, one’s power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously.

- Norman Vincent Peale

Photo by Steve Laswell

It was a warm summer morning as Rita and I sat on the patio near our Kio pond. This significant water feature includes a 12 foot stream spilling over a 4 foot water fall into a large pond; the movement and “music” of the water are relaxing and enjoyable.

Our Japanese Kio fish are colorful and personable, it’s fun to feed them and watch them glide “effortlessly” through the water.  The pink and yellow water lilies deliver amazing blooms that only last a day or two.

Of course, the large bull frog and occasion box turtle visitors, along with the regulars – squirrels, raccoon, and birds create an entertaining backyard retreat.

This particular morning I notice an unusual number of dragonflies working the yard. The longer the air show went on the more I wondered what was going on. With iPhone in hand, it was time to Google.

The link I selected took me to an article that began:

You see them in your yard, in the woods, and in fields. They come in a variety of beautiful colors. But what do you really know about the dragonflies that share our world?

Brandon Cornett’s article goes on to provide 21 interesting facts. Here are a few of my favorites:

You often see dragonflies near bodies of water, because they lay their eggs on or near the water.

Dragonflies are not born with wings.

Dragonflies spend most of their lives in the larva stage (up to three years, depending on the species). The adult, winged stage only lasts a few weeks. Mating is the primary reason for their winged stage. So when you see a winged dragonfly, you know it’s toward the end of its lifespan.

Male dragonflies can be very territorial, staking claim to a particular area alongside a pond or stream. When you see two adults chasing each other through the air, it is often one male chasing another from its territory.

Dragonflies can be useful in controlling mosquito populations…one of their primary food sources!

As far as insects go, dragonflies are among the fastest. Some…can fly upward of 30 miles per hour. Their four wings also allow them to move sideways, backward, to hover in place, etc. And they can do all of these movements quickly and accurately, which makes them well suited to eat other insects right out of the air

When I tapped into my resources I gained knowledge, insight, appreciation and a greater experience.

Leadership Development

There are just two key words in the phrase “leadership development”.

Leadership which has to do with our ability to lead, guide, direct, or influence people.

Development speaks to a process of changing, becoming stronger, more successful as a person, or causing somebody to change in such a way.

As an executive coach, I see leadership development as engaging in the process of change in order to expand one’s personal influence as a leader. Changing Behavior; Growing One’s Influence.

Create Space

A personal development principle I coach around involves Creating Space. When we create space for consistent reflection our influence will increase.

What do I mean, “Creating Space”?

It is the disciplined use of time, place, and resources to listen for truth found in your story.

What happens when we learn to create space for reflection?

• We can listen for the truth found in our story; messages coming from feedback, experience, success, and failure
• We can begin to see the people (Imagine the plate spinning act; to see people requires we lower our gaze)
• We can renew our energy
• We can acknowledge areas where our behavior is getting in our way
• Then, we can improve our performance and,
• Have a positive impact on life, relationships, work

What a nice return for the disciplined use of time and place to tap into the resource of our story, wouldn’t you say?

The Conspiracy of Time

Here is where the war is being waged against what supports future success (consistent reflection); what is it? “I’m so … busy!” And it is true, we are busy.  This is why by definition “creating space” is the disciplined use of time, place and resources.

When will you make time for consistent reflection? More often than not, we’ll create space when the pain is greater than the resistance.

Tapping into my resources that summer morning I gained knowledge, insight, appreciation and a greater experience. Those same benefits are available as we tap into our story looking for truth; then, we can change behavior and grow our influence … a greater life experience!

How well are you tapping into your resources?

Energy is really the fuel in your tank. It’s what makes it possible for you to bring your skill and your talent to life.  – Tony Schwartz

Photo by Alyssa L. Miller

Recently, during a Next Level Leadership Development coaching group, I ask: “How would you describe the pace of your life?” As you think of your own response perhaps you can easily imagine their responses:

Fast, way-to-fast, steady, sporadic, congested, slowing down, hectic, demanding, rushed, stressful, busy, distracted, and overwhelming

To follow up I asked, “What is the affect of this pace on your life?” Again, you may identify with some of their answers:

High blood pressure, anxiety, depression, broken family, stress, tension, weariness, scattered, unfocused, unproductive, ineffective, and frustrated

The unspoken messages often heard in today’s workplace play on fear:

• I have to give more at work because there is someone waiting to take my place.
• Push harder, work longer, get more done…with less.
• I can’t take my flex time or vacation, “they” will think I lack dedication.

When it comes to down time, Mike Prokopeak, Editorial Director of Talent Management Magazine writes:

Even when they get away, today’s workers feel guilty, fearful or anxious about work. Even if they don’t fear losing their job, they feel like they’re missing important business opportunities.   

He goes on to reference a conversation with Jim Loehr, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute and co-author of The Power of Full Engagement

…American corporations are facing a crisis in human energy. We’re demanding more of our workers, but we’re not paying attention to how they generate and renew the energy required to carry out their work.

When it comes to performance and efficiency we are human beings not machines or computers or devices.  If we fail to give attention to our four people dimensions – mind, body, soul and spirit – there is a price to be paid.  Even our smart phone needs a battery re-charge; routinely, I have to turn off my iPhone for it to re-set.

The Towers Watson 2010 Global Workforce Study reveals a major shift in the traditional employment relationship. According to the study, there is a “recession-weary workforce [with] lower expectations, increased anxiety, and new priorities”.

Whether you are “recession-weary” or weary from the demands of life, financial pressure, packed schedule, too-many-irons-in-the-fire, overloaded-at-work, or just exhausted it’s important that you take care of yourself.

Tony Schwartz, president and CEO of The Energy Project is an advocate for pushing ourselves AND caring for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Simply put, energy is the ability or power to get things done.

I am finding a lot of weary people these days. Recently, I wrote about how to support high performance and the value making progress brings to us, how

1. Making progress in meaningful work energizes 
2. Guarding against unintentionally hindering work is important 

Making progress provides an emotional boost. At the end of the day, we receive emotional support and motivation from even a small win. Performance is the reward.

Four Keys to Sustaining High Performance

In a recent Harvard Business Review Tony Schwartz, author of Be Excellent at Anything comments on the four primary dimensions of energy in relation to performance.

How well are you tapping into and renewing these four energy sources?

1. Physical – fitness, sleep, nutrition, and rest
2. Emotional – cultivating positive emotions
3. Mental – gaining more control of our attention
• Increasing the ability to focus on one thing at a time
• Shifting into the right hemisphere to do more creative work
4. Spiritual – defining purpose

How do you rate your life in these areas?

More, more, more…

The pressure is on, the more you can handle the more you are given to handle…that’s the reward – right?

High performance requires energy and while making progress each day is helpful it can only provide so much support. Today’s work place and life’s pace consumes energy. It is both prudent and our responsibility to replenish our supply.

How are you replenishing yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?

Which one of these four, get-up-and-go energy sources needs your attention?

Now, what is one step, one thing you can do to renew your energy?

Please share your comments below.

Photo by Alyssa L. Miller

The Towers Watson 2010 Global Workforce Study reveals a major shift in the traditional employment relationship. According to the study, there is a “recession-weary workforce [with] lower expectations, increased anxiety, and new priorities”. 

Whether you are “recession-weary” or weary from the demands of life, financial pressure, packed schedule, too-many-irons-in-the-fire, overloaded-at-work, or just exhausted you must take care of yourself. I’m running into a lot of weary people in my coaching practice.

Recently, I wrote on how to support high performance and the value making progress brings to us …

1. Progress in meaningful work energizes  
2. Guarding against unintentionally hindering work  is important 

Indeed, making progress provides an emotional boost. At the end of the day, we receive emotional support and motivation from even a small win. High performance is the reward.

Four Keys to Sustaining High Performance

Tony Schwartz, CEO of The Energy Project is author of Be Excellent at Anything. In a recent Harvard Business Review interview he comments on four primary dimensions of energy in relationship to performance.

It is prudent to examine how well you are doing with these in order to support your performance. How well are do you tap into these four energy sources?

• Physical – fitness, sleep, nutrition, and rest
• Emotional – cultivating positive emotions
• Mental – gaining more control of our attention
  1. Increasing the ability to focus on one thing at a time
  2. Shifting into the right hemisphere to do more creative work
• Spiritual – defining purpose

How do you rate your life in these areas?

More, more, more…

The pressure is on, the more you can handle the more you are given to handle…that’s the reward — right?

High performance requires energy and while making progress each day is helpful it can only provide so much support. Today’s work place and life depletes energy. It is both prudent and our responsibility to replenish our power supply.

Which of one of these four get-up-and-go energy sources do you need to give attention to?

Now, what is one step, one thing you can do to protect your energy source?

How are you replenishing yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?

Please share your comments below.