Leadership stems from the relationship we have with ourselves. 

But authentic leadership is a whole different ball game.

It’s a style of leadership that demands a connection to self and requires a commitment to nourishing ourselves on all fronts – body, mind and spirit.  It’s not just an idea but a way of being.

And when we do, we reap the benefits in every aspect of our lives.  We experience more wealth, health and joy than we would have ever thought possible and help those around us optimize their life experiences too.    

And all this is not just a pipedream – I, along with the execs I coach, are living it every single day.

We’re in the middle of a three-part series where I put forth my best ideas for nourishing yourself at all levels so that you can fully step into your leadership role and make the impact you’re here to make.

So let’s dive into caring for your mind.

First off, this isn’t going to be some “think yourself happy” approach – I don’t believe in that.  What I do believe in is doing the hard work and getting honest with yourself about how you do or don’t care for your mind is influencing your reality.

I’ve been doing the hard work on my personal spiritual journey for decades now, and I’ve discovered truths that I live by every day and have distilled them down to the following:

• Your mind is a sacred space.  And should be treated with exquisite care.  Care for it the way you would care for a new home – you’d gatekeep and be particular about who you invite over, make sure it’s free of clutter, and strive to make it a place of peace and joy.  Curate your mind the same way.
• Your life plays out according to the story you’re telling yourself.  Your reality stems from the narrative you run in your mind.  In order to change your life, you have to FIRST change your story.
• You get more of what you think about.  If you’re focused on negativity, you get more obstacles.  If you’re focused on optimism, you create more possibilities. 
• The relaxed mind is a powerful mind.  Power is often associated with the doing, the producing, and the activity.  The truth is that the more relaxed your mind is, the more access you have to intuitive guidance and creative energy.
• Momentum is key.  Be intentional about what thoughts you put out there, as the universe stacks on more of the same.
• Abundance in your life starts with abundant thoughts.  At every moment in time, you can either have a scarcity mindset or an abundant mindset.  A scarcity mindset runs the story of insufficiency, lack, and limitation.  The abundant mindset affirms that there’s more than enough of everything for everyone.  
• The mind requires training.  It’s a moment-to-moment practice of training the mind to think differently.  Just as your muscles need to train to stay in shape, your mind needs to train too.  Creating a life you’re excited about starts with choosing thoughts that support that life.
• Be aware of the direction you’re trending.   Be aware of what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling, and catch it in earlier stages.  Overwhelm and burnout stem from too much momentum in the wrong direction.  Catch it early and make the necessary adjustments.

Don’t wait to care for your mind until you’re in a mental health crisis.  Get out in front of it.  Nourish your mind in a proactive and holistic way, and everyone in your life – yourself, your family, your friends, and your company – will enjoy your investment.

Reading about growth strategies is a great start, but I believe that’s no substitute for working with someone – a live person – who understands and can show you how to apply these ideas to real experiences happening in your life.  I’d love to explore working together.  If you’re ready to step into growth, let’s chat.