We've all been there....feeling stuck. It could be due to feeling overwhelmed, bored, fearful or unhappy. As the elegant leader in your own life, what are you going to do?
Key is finding what will get you unstuck. When you identify how to pull yourself out of the downward spiral, or the 'valley' - you may be able to reduce your time of not being in the zone.
Start by identifying what got you in the slump? When you reflect on it - can you identify a pattern?
Let take a look at an example:
Lulu enjoyed people, and gained energy when she was around others. She could crank out the work and felt in the zone when she was interacting with people. She fell into the valley seldom. But when she worked on completing the quarterly reports that required a lot of analysis, and graphs for the power points she would dig in and get them done - but she hated the task, and it wore her out. She got quiet, and moved slower, she was unengaged...she wasn't happy - time moved slowly.
For Lulu her energy patterns come from people, discussions, working together. Engaging could be her middle name. When that is taken out of her routine, and is replaced by quiet focused work, she in turn loses her energy, or the feeling of not being in the zone - she gets stuck in the valley.
Now what bring you out of the 'valley'? Sometimes this is harder to identify. For Lulu it may be how to turn her project of analysis and charts into something that matches her engaging style. She may challenge herself to adjust the 'normal quarterly's' and put a twist that makes them engaging. A podcast with the quarterly's, or a question/answer trivia that makes the power point engaging, something that gives the presentation a human quotient.
For a less creative twist, accept that the project isn't your favorite, use your efficiency to get it done quickly and effectively - and schedule items that give you energy in advance - they will help pull you out of valley. That's creative time management.
Know the impact and feeling of being in the zone and out of it. Work to identify how to reduce time spent in the valley - and look to see that when you are in a 'valley' and embrace the positive lessons of the 'valley'. Are you more reflective, do you internalize solutions better; are you creative at the point? Find what shines bright in those valleys.
Jodi Wiff, partner Lighthouse Leadership, created the mantra of "Elegant Courage-- honesty with grace and elegance during good or bad times." Her 28 years as a leader distinguished her special and unique problem solving abilities. Her innovativeness and creativity changed the company culture from ugliness, sniping and lack of hope to a warm, engaging, respectful environment. http://www.lighthouse-leadership.com
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