Do You Have A Couple Of Minutes

So just what is your "Best Self?"  What does it mean to be your best in authenticity?  Some identify being authentic with being more relaxed and casual about how they interact.  I wonder if one can be relaxed, authentic, intentional, and mindful while experiencing themselves in best self mode.  I am not quite sure I have it all figured out. However, I do know that living your best life in authenticity means the avoidance of compromising your values, it also means being intentional about what you allow in and also what you put out to share with the world that represents the best in and of you.  It's individual and it's based on our frame of reference and the values we sincerely hold.  We are all in different parts of our journey so we need to steer clear of comparison and judgement. So, I don't think bringing our best self in authenticity requires apology. In so much as it is within us, i think we can be our best selves and live peaceably, and shine brightly, illuminating the space and time we are inhabiting. So today, I challenge you to really think about what it is for you to live in authenticity and putting your best self out there to be a best self beacon for others while enjoying your best life.  Who are we trying to kid if we apologize for behavior and actions that are allegedly our "authentic best."  Let's stop kidding ourselves and let's bring forth our best, our imperfect best...and continue with forward momentum from there. Don't be fooled that authenticity is or must be shocking, the power in authenticity is that it attracts others because authenticity touches the heart and soul. Live intentionally, authentically, and fully - Be Your Best Self on Purpose without need for apology!

Get Rid of the Labels - or at least evaluate their accuracy. On my first journey into consulting work, I decided to sign up for some substitute teaching gigs on my off days.  I actually enjoyed the impact i was able to have in such a short time span.  On one occasion, I showed up to an elementary school and one of students was quick to tell me that "Johnny" was the troublemaker in the class,  I saw this little Johnny look down as his label was shared with the new sub.  i quickly responded to my "helpful informant" that I did not know how Johnny was going to behave today and that he just might be the most well-behaved child in the class that day.  I don't recall having any issue with Johnny.  And I hoped that Johnny learned he did not have to accept labels that did not define him and I hoped Helpful informant learned that she did not have the authority to give out labels - likely a behavior she had seen from and been rewarded for by other adults. Over the years, we all get labels, however, as we mature we must remember that we have the power to define ourselves.  So today I encourage you to get rid of the labels you have for yourself and others...and take on the characteristics that define you as you want to be seen.  The world needs the You!.

It seems the cure to boredom is pretty simple, take some action to engage in something.  Use boredom as a time to dream, plan, think and then take action.  If what you are doing is not keeping you engaged, try to understand why and make the change that is needed.  Sometimes we are capable of initiating our own change and sometimes we may need the help of others.  Some change is faster than other changes, but it is all good.  Even the smallest progress is progress.  Seek the change you want, think about it, and move toward it.

Even Subject Matter Experts ask questions.  Asking questions is a sign that we are open to learning and growing. Do you spend time around people or environments that ask questions?  Perhaps that might be something to observe.  Sometimes we approach questions from a scientific method of identifying a position or hypothesis and then we set out to question it understanding if what we thought to be the case was the case.  Other times, we have more of an observatory approach, taking in new information in basic observation and wonder.  Questions lead to an understanding...and sometimes even more questions, which is part of our learning and our growth.  Stay engaged in life - Ask Questions, then seek out the answers!

If you've been on a plane you have probably heard the instruction about putting on your own oxygen mask first, if the masks should be released.  This is actually not only about helping yourself, it places you in the best position to help others in the event of such an emergency.  You've also likely heard the phrase that you cannot pour from an empty pitcher.  This too is a reminder about keeping your pitcher full enough to share with others.  To do this, we must take time to refill our pitcher.  When is the last time you've taken the time to fill your pitcher or to make sure your mask was on first before helping others?  As leaders, of organizations and families, we must also demonstrate this model of self-care, of preparation.  Being an example of taking care of ourselves helps others to move toward that same level of independence and contribution. Going forward, think of helping others to help themselves and the positive impact that such independence and strength can provide for the collective whole.  By helping ourselves to be at our best, we are helping others.

Providing clarity for others is a form of kindness.  However, what about giving ourselves that same opportunity to have clarity within our lives?  Do you take time to think about what you want, how you would like to feel, and what are the things you want to overcome and achieve in life?  Do we give ourselves the kindness of providing a Clear Concise Mental Picture?  Clarity is not always instantaneous, oftentimes it requires intentional context, personal experience, or exposure to and learning from the experience of others.  Clarity is a process.  However, clarity is a great gift we can give ourselves to help ensure progress toward our desired future self.  To Be Clear is to Be Kind.

Today was the NCAA Basketball Championship and Kansas prevailed over North Carolina in a great game.  Though they entered the tournament ranked #1, they were down at half-time.  So let's talk about half-time.  I remember when I played basketball in high school.  The team wasn't great, but we did manage to win a few games.  In one particularly bad season on the Junior Varsity team, we were winning and I recall the coach calling timeout, only to tell u to keep doing what we were doing.  Seemed strange at the time, but I think the point was that we had what it took to win, and we needed to recognize what we were doing to win and keep doing it.  in life, we have the ability to impose timeouts, and there are milestones in life that we can treat like half times to evaluate, regroup, confirm the goal, and finish.  We must take the time to evaluate how we are doing in reference to the goals we have and then we must regroup, that is to focus our attitude and actions in a manner that supports our goals and we must finish.  The score at half-time doesn't determine the outcome of the game, it is the score at the end of the game that counts, and at the end of the game, whether the outcome is as we intended or we fall short, it is always good to know we lived with intention and gave it our best shot.  Be intentional about the halftime moments you have in life - Evaluate, Regroup, and Finish.

Sometimes people mean well but they are misguided. Creating a win-fail atmosphere in your workplace or personal relationships may be something to rethink.  Does your organization or relationship fare better when part feels like it is losing or shamed?  What is your goal in the competition?  Do you want everyone to perform at their highest levels?  Are you asking everyone to bring the best unique offering they have to contribute to the whole or do you want people to work in their strengths and weaknesses in a non-complimentary manner?  Are you encouraging sharing of information and processes that benefit the whole or are people better off if they keep things that might help others, to themselves?  We must think more deeply about what we want to accomplish, why we want to accomplish it, how we accomplish it, and the impact of our choices in the short and long term.  Help people to operate from their unique areas of strength in compliment to the whole team. Ensure competition has the positive outcome you seek without lasting negativity that erodes the team or relationship. 

Stay BIG - Take Up Your Space.  It's Your Space and only you can be full in it! In our professional and personal lives, sometimes we try to fit in or go unnoticed when we were meant to stand out and be a part of something. We can question what value we may have to give or our worthiness to give something of value.  in that doubting, we overlook our uniqueness - the reality that we have something that only we can give in a way only we can give it.  Of course, we can also take in learning, apply it, and share it in our unique way that makes the learning accessible and beneficial to others.

The world needs you.  Trust that what you share with the world will benefit the one or the ones who need it. The only outcome to think about is that you took advantage of the fullness in the moment, you utilized what was available to you.  Stay BIG - Take Up Your Space.

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