Self-Leadership: Be Your Own CEO

It’s hot where I live, and my brain’s melting. Even the flies are too tired to buzz.

August is mainly about waiting for September.

That involuntary slowing down has it’s good sides: my ambitions are lowered and circling around survival more than anything else.

But I refuse to give up entirely!

So I though I could ship some teeny tiny bites of reflections daily, to not feel like all I do is floating in the pool, watching painfully blue skies (yes, life is that hard).

We’ll see how it goes!

There Are Three Types of People:

Those Who Make Things Happen,

Those Who Watch Things Happen,

and Those Who Wonder What Happened

-Nicholas Murray Butler

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but - broadly speaking- I write about self-leadership.

What's that? Good question.

Self-leadership is being the CEO of your life. (And the manager. And often the only employee. Ouch.)

It's choosing to drive instead of always being in a passenger seat.

It's creating instead of just reacting.

You might not always get what you want. But you'll know you gave it your best shot.

That alone boosts your self-respect. At least, that's the hope.

How to Do It

Here’s a little warm up question to x-ray your thoughts:

"What am I thinking?"

Funny how we often don't know. We think all day, but our thoughts only organize when questioned.

Start by cutting the BS.

Locate yourself on the map of life.

Follow it by pondering: is there a gap between where you are in life and where you’d like to be?

"This is where I am right now. Where do I want to be instead?"

Shape a clear vision. Sounds obvious, but many are too busy scrolling to ask this.

And now onto the fun part:

"How can I get there?"

This unlocks your brain's true purpose: solving problems.

All solutions come from some form of these questions.

It’s only trite if you don’t try it.

Why It Matters

It never ceases to amaze me how much people think, but somehow avoid thinking deeply about important stuff.

Even if you just ask these questions, you're ahead of most.

You might still hit roadblocks. You still need to take action.

But you'll be actively shaping your future instead of just letting it happen.

That's what self-leadership is all about.

Do This Now

1. Get a notebook or open your phone's notes app.

2. Set a timer for 5 minutes (but don’t stop if you gain momentum).

3. Answer:

• What am I really thinking right now?

• Why do I think that?

• Where do I want to be in one year? In five?

• How can I get there?

• Of the possible options, which one do I want to try?

• What's one small step I can take today?

4. Do that one small step. Today. No excuses.

It's not about perfection. It's about progress.

Take that first step. Inch forward.

Become the author of your own story.

Or don't.

It's your choice.

That's the point.