Authentic leadership, at its core, is spirit-driven. It’s soul-based.
And in much the same way that we nourish our bodies and minds, we need to be intentional about nourishing the spirit.
I remember hearing the words soul and spirit for years, not even understanding what they meant. After all, it can be hard to wrap our heads around abstract concepts when we’re accustomed to living in a physical world where things are tangible.
But stay with me…this is where it gets really cool.
Our spirit is the essence of who we are, the eternal part.
It’s the part of us that gives our lives depth, richness, substance, and meaning.
It’s the part of us that wants us to feel joy, peace, and love.
As leaders, when we live in that soul-centered place, we naturally ignite the spark in others.
But before we can lead others from a spirit-based place, we need to be in touch with our own spirit and nourish it every day.
So how exactly do you get there?
There are many ways to nourish your spirit, and I’ve listed some of my favorites here:
Curate your surroundings:
Make sure everything and everyone in your life adds value in some way. Only hold space for things that resonate with you and make you feel good. If something adds stress, negativity, drama, or overwhelm, identify the path that puts you on the way to feeling good.
Be passionate:
The soul is infused with passion. It loves to be immersed in activities that make us feel vibrant. Do more of what you’re passionate about.
Simplify:
Spirits thrive under simplicity–fewer to-dos, less running around, and less clutter to organize. Clear your space regularly, and keep what you have purposeful, well-organized, and accessible.
Experience:
The spirit craves new experiences. The world has an endless supply of new experiences and people to meet, and none of this has to be time-consuming or expensive. Go to a new coffee shop. Try a new cuisine. Learn to play an instrument. Become fluent in a new language. Opportunities abound.
Freedom:
The spirit doesn’t like to be limited, confined, or tethered. It wants to roam, expand, and explore. It wants to feel free to live life on terms that are aligned with who we are rather than someone else’s expectations for us. Where do you want to feel more free?
Honor yourself:
Keep your standards high. Know your boundaries. Communicate your needs. Check in with yourself about how you feel.
Perform small acts of kindness:
This comes in many shapes and sizes, and anything that brightens up somebody’s world fits the bill.
Be creative:
The spirit is naturally creative. Even if you don’t think you’re creative, you are. It’s in there somewhere. Have fun with it.
Be present:
Be in the moment. Anytime you find your mind wandering back to the past or jumping ahead to the future, pull yourself back to the present moment.
Appreciate:
Let everything you do embody the flavor of appreciation. Think about what you appreciate, why, and what meaning and value it brings to your life.
Spend time outside:
Nothing nourishes the soul quite like the sounds of nature and fresh air.
So there ya have it—so many ways to nourish your spirit.
Oh, and another thing…the spirit loves abundance. It wants us to experience the richness of everything life has to offer. And that DOES include money. So that said, stay tuned. Up next. we’ll be diving into the spirituality of money and how to attract more of it.
If you’d like to grab a time with me, I’d love to help you design a life that helps you attract more of what matters to you most.