Real Leaders bring a Naked mind to their relationships.

   A Naked mind is one devoid of negative thoughts.  A Naked mind builds others up, it sees possibilities - not limitations - and encourages others to take calculated risks.  A Naked mind is a mind stripped of ego. Leaders make a conscious effort to let go of their own egos so that they can respond to others from their hearts. They begin each and every encounter with a desire to craft the best outcome from conversation and interchange.  As Stephen Covey suggests, they begin with the end in mind. Can't you just imagine how much better our workplaces and our world would be if more Leaders took this approach?

Lead with Love!

 

At left is a real-life Leader, Mathew Stepanek.  He liked to be called Mattie. He began writing poems at three years of age and he wrote thousands of them, five books in all.  He was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, which was passed on by his mother before she discovered that she carried it.  His three older siblings preceded him in death to this disease. Mattie struggled and recovered from near-fatal illnesses until succumbing to his disease in June 2004.  He had three wishes in his short life--to have his poetry published, to meet President Jimmy Carter, his hero in peacemaking, and to spread his message through an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He achieved all three in his short life.

   When Oprah asked him why he chose those three wishes, he explained, "Because they were things that would last forever. Going to Disney World ends in a week. But being able to talk with Jimmy Carter, being able to have my books published, being able to talk to you here today, lasts forever."  Mattie Led by example and with a great love for life and for others.  How can we, as adults, do otherwise?

Lead By Example!

              
5 & 1/2 Ways to Enjoy May!

1) Visit a State Park - Get out and go for a long walk, identify as many trees, birds, or flowers as you can. 

2) Ride a bike - If you don't have a bike, find out where you can rent one!  Round up a group of friends and make a day of it.

3) Have an Ice Cream Eating Contest - Do it now before bathing suit season gets under way. Skip the calorie counting for just one day.  And don't forget the cherries and whipped cream!

4) Celebrate Mom - If you're lucky enough to still have your own mom, be glad and take time to enjoy her.  I can almost promise you that you could show up empty-handed, just sit and talk with her, and she'll declare it the best day ever.  If your mom is gone now, celebrate an older friend or neighbor with a small card and a hand-picked bouquet.

5) Stamp Out Cancer - May is a great time for Relay for Life events.  Find one and help to make a difference. 

And the 1/2, you ask?  Practice Gratitude! Keep a journal and list 5 things that you have to be grateful for every day.  Always stay in gratitude. We have sooo much to be grateful for.  If you can't find 100 reasons to be grateful, let me know and I'll send you mine!