The Power of “Yes”
Aligning What’s Most Important with How You Spend Your Time
One of my favorite authors is Bob Goff. He leaves me thinking deeply and laughing a little. He wrote in one of his books, “just say yes…” (side note: It’s really challenging to even type that sentence!)
In order, here are three things to which my 15-year-old son Elliott said “yes!”
Square Dancing. Football. ECNL Soccer.
The summer started okay but was filled with square dance lessons two to three times a week. Yes, a girl he liked invited him to be her dance partner. Then the high school football team recruited Elliott to kick and they practice 5 days a week. Then ENCL soccer recruited Elliott to play and that’s a whole new commitment level.
This past weekend we had all new experiences.
Our 15-year-old Elliott:
Played his first football game. (He’s the field goal specialist).
Competed in his first square dance competition at the Prairie Grove Clothesline Festival. (Yes, it was a girl who made that happen.) It’s the world’s largest square dance competition.
Competed in his first ECNL soccer match in Dallas.
The Browns had a full weekend. We did find time to mow the lawn and fire up the grill, but we also slept quite well.
Two weeks ago, I would have said, “We don’t have time …”
It’s amazing how we find time for what’s important. It’s amazing how we have the opportunity for new experiences when we have margin already built into our lives, so we have space to say yes to new opportunities.
Maybe you are starting to see the transition. Many leaders are running on thin margins, little sleep and can’t find time for what’s important or for new opportunities that arise.
When we think about the health of a leader there are many questions to ask. Here are 3 to ponder this morning. We look at who we are, how we are, and what we do.
Who we are – meaning our unique purpose, values, and philosophy of leadership aligned with our life.
How we are – meaning our emotional, relational, spiritual and physical health.
What we do – meaning our ability to communicate, execute, and think strategically.
We believe that if we know who we are and how we are … then, what we do will be at a higher and more effective level.
Ryan was putting some thought into this the other week, and we found some convergences that make sense.
For example –
If we have a healthy sense of purpose along with values that drive our leadership there’s a good chance we are rested and not burned out.
It’s amazing how much we can accomplish when what’s most important to us aligns with how we spend our time.
Sometimes how we spend our time doesn’t align with what’s most important to us, but it’s also important to finish what we start. Elliott does not dream of another square dance competition, but he finished what he started. Now, he’s looking forward to putting the cowboy boots away and finding some margin in the schedule.
My guess is someone reading this is rested, engaged and feeling fulfilled. If so – what’s most important might be aligned with how you spend your time at work and at home.
My guess is someone reading this is on the verge of burn out … you try to stay focused, but it’s a struggle. You have no margin and the idea of having purpose driving your work is very disconnected from your current view of reality.
What can you do?
Take up square dancing for a month … or …
Focus on the deep work of clarifying what’s most important and then make the tough decisions to align your life at work and at home.
Action Step: Make a list of what’s most important and see if that list is reflected on your calendar.
List your job responsibilities.
List your life at home responsibilities.
List what you love to do at work and after work.
Sometimes, in order to start making strides forward, we simply have to start saying yes to what’s important and align our calendars accordingly.
Need help thinking this through? Set up a time to explore if coaching is the right fit for you to help you navigate this next season of life at work and life at home.