Wow, here we are in this era of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, plus polarization about sensitive topics and so much more calling us forth with the imperatives for a new kind of resilience right now and a new kind of inspired leadership for our future. You are a bright leader who realizes going back to business as usual is not an option. This course is gladly offered Free at this time. May it free up your response-agility & resourcefulness. May this equip you and your people to PAUSE wisely for today’s emotional & inner mindset urgencies and set you up to rise and celebrate a whole new way to lead the way. I hope you can smile with me as I share fun acronyms for PAUSE; 1) Presence Allowing Universal Source Emergence. 2) the Power of Activating Unlimited Success, Effectively embodied. and 3) Preventing Angst & Useless Self-sabotaging Effort. :-) Cheers!
Here’s a sneak preview:
Don’t Try to Lead With Your Mind Full
Module 1:
Read Pause Pub pages: Hit the Pause Button, Pause Pub Welcome, Clear the Way and this Module 1 “First Day…” below.
Listen to the audio
Homework:
Get clear on YOUR “Compelling Why” to start (this can and likely will change over time). It’s very intentional that the first module starts with Why rather than diving into How, and having you meditate right away. I’d be delighted if you spent a week contemplating the power of pause and what matters most to you before you force yourself into a new habit. Challenge yourself to clarify the myths, excuses and personal resistance that might get in the way (e.g. I don’t have time & this is personal or “soft”).
After suggested reading and listening, fill in these blanks:
I am more aware of ____________. I promise myself ____________.
First Day in a New School of Thought
Good morning, class :-) Let’s breathe, shall we? Let’s start with some agreements (you know how groups often start with this, and someone says things like confidentiality or no advice-giving and we raise our hands like good little boys and girls). Consider these “permission slips” please:
You don’t have to still your mind.
You don’t have to shave your head.
You don’t have to sit still.
You don’t have to close your eyes.
You don’t have to find a guru or be spiritual or let someone’s karma run over your dogma.
You don’t have to figure out how to be in the present moment or try to control what is happening when you meditate.
You don’t have to be a good boy or good girl. :-) (Actually, you’ll be encouraged to not perpetuate that if it’s been a subconscious, self-sabotaging pattern in ways, so stay tuned for that exploration.)
You don’t have to be in tranquil silence, in pretzel leg position, burning incense in a temple. (A busy airport might be a great practice lab- we’ll explore why together.)
You don’t have to feel great after you’ve meditated.
Want an even longer list? Here’s an article with 34 misconceptions.
You don’t have to the read the long article. :-)
You don’t have to meditate!
There are levels of the benefits and practice of pause. It includes meditation/ mindfulness practices, yet can also refer to inspired leadership work, coaching, a thoughtful, awareness-shifting group & homework, deeper inner re-programming, a time-out or transition in your life, and vital strategic considerations for your business. Underneath all of that, there’s a pause that prevents limited beliefs perpetuating accidental self-sabotage and missed opportunities and liberates your best self and all that could flow from that. The Victor Frankl quote bears repeating:
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.
Sadly, too many bright achievers fall into the pursuit of busyness rather than smart stewardship of their true business.
In your willingness to PAUSE, you are redirecting that energy (e.g. from inertia to inspired action). You are tapping into a real power that can unleash your greater potential, fulfillment, prosperity, impact and pragmatic effectiveness every day.
The inner deeper fuels the higher outer.
From quiet reflection will come even more effective action. - Peter Drucker
“Extra Credit” Homework :-) Powerful Questions:
Consider the pole vaulter metaphor. What is a high bar that is a tangible aspiration for you? Name something about who you want to BE in addition to what you want to do.
How often and how well do you hit the pause button already? Score 0-10. What number would you like to be honoring and what could that look like? This could include meditation as well as quality strategic pauses, coaching conversations, physical exercise or other ways of “mastering your energy” to be at your best.
How often do you recharge your phone? How often do you click to upgrade things running your devices? How often do you pause and upgrade your own inner programming? Do you actually know how to do this well?
Read the paragraph on the Hit the Pause Button page about freedom (excerpt repeated below). What does this stir up for you? What are your own possible inner voices and outer constraints? What could your fully unleashed, Authentic Self be up to? What do you really want?
To find yourself… be willing to get lost.
To gain clarity… be willing to stop thinking.
To discover balance… be willing to drop Math.
To find joy… be willing to not chase happiness.
To experience prosperity… be willing to let go of money.
To achieve true success… be willing to not measure up.
If we let these sink in, they could be provocative and even life-changing, hmm? I invite you to thoughtfully absorb each line (above) and sense what comes up for you. Ask yourself things like, Hmmm, what would “stop thinking” be like? What would it mean for you to “not measure up” and so on? “Drop math” refers to a discussion about how balance is not a math problem in a linear pie chart allocation of time. It’s way more about choice and alignment with your true self. One person could be working 16 hours a day from inspired passion, finally opening his new restaurant. Another person doing the same hours could be in seriously unhealthy chaos, right? Experiment with accessing your own inner alignment. Tune in to your wisdom and play with replacing the third column (get lost, et al) with what feels true for you, coming from a voice of inner champion energy and lovingly challenging insights.
As always, I would love to hear your comments or what you might like to explore with coaching/Inspired Leadership Lab group support.
In my deepest heart, this is what I want to share with you; freedom.
Freedom from the self-punishing and performance-pushing voices in our heads (especially the ones you are not fully aware of trying to run you). Freedom from the cultural constraints insidiously suppressing you from being your best self and enjoying the life you are meant to lead. Freedom to be the instrument you are uniquely here to be.
We need your aliveness and your no-more-avoiding authenticity unleashed and
we want you to be happy.
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