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Getty"Will I ever be satisfied?"
You've probably asked this of yourself, especially if you're a high achiever. It's not a bad thing to want more. After all, that's frequently what pushes us to strive and achieve. I can relate to this constant push to achieve and there's a time and a place for it. But you also want to take time for being fully present, enjoying the journey and being where you are. I learned this lesson after I almost missed out on one of the happiest times of my life because I was far from present. Let me explain.
Years ago, after getting married in beautiful Napa Valley, my husband planned our honeymoon: a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. A couple of days in, I was the one behind the wheel, driving near Big Sur. If you've ever driven along that stretch of highway, you know that one vista is more beautiful than the next. Along with the spectacular views, the road is also very twisty. I was taking the corners quickly, which was scary. That's when my new husband asked, "Honey, why are you driving so fast?" To which I replied, "Well, we need to get there!" Then, he said something that put it all into perfect perspective:
"Hey, we're there. This is it. There's nowhere else to be. We're driving along this beautiful highway, looking at the mountains and the ocean. We have all day long just to enjoy it. This is 'there.'"
He was, of course, right. Why couldn't I be happy with what was right in front of me? Why was I not present, at this moment, with my wonderful husband and this beautiful view? I slowed down, began actually enjoying the view and focused on being there.
Sound familiar to you? There are so many times in life where we're striving to get to the next place, level, goal, mile marker, etc. Yet, as a high achiever, you may be having a hard time reconciling this "living in the moment" concept when fast forward is your only speed.
What Being Present Means For A Leader's Success
As leaders, we frequently talk about improving engagement with our people. One of the ways to improve engagement is to create memories from the challenges we survive together and to recognize them while they are happening.
One of my first jobs was selling technology products over the phone. When we sold a lot of products, the warehouse would get backed up. One of our goals was to ship as much as we could the same day, so after we were done for the day on the phones, we would head out to the warehouse to help ship orders. Those were long days, but also some of our favorite bonding experiences. We knew we were making a difference, doing work that mattered and creating lasting memories with one another. To recognize our achievements, we would receive T-shirts with our latest records imprinted on them. What are the moments in your team or organization that you should be celebrating? The best leaders focus on both the long-term vision and goals, as well as live in the present effectively. Being present is the only way you may be able to maintain the leadership necessary to keep your team focused and moving forward in the midst of challenges and distractions. It doesn't have to be a physical prize, either. Sometimes, being present is just about taking the time to recognize small wins versus focusing only on the bigger outcome.
I recently completed my first 70.3-mile Half Ironman race in Augusta, Georgia. Typically, when it's your first time, you have only one goal: Finish it! Even as finishing was at the forefront of my mind, I was able to celebrate success on my way to the end goal. Once I was done with my 1.2-mile swim, I got out of the water and was exhilarated with a massive smile on my face. From there, I climbed on my bike for the scenic, hilly 56-mile ride. I completed it a little faster than I thought I would. Next came the run, which was absolutely brutal. It was 96 degrees, with a 100-degree heat index. I'm actually a runner, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the swim and bike and then struggled in the run. If there was no moment to recognize my accomplishments between the stages, I'm not sure I could have finished it. The moments where I could be fully present to appreciate what I had done thus far kept me going.
It may be impossible for high achievers to put the end goal out of sight and out of mind, but nobody said you have to. You can have both. One of the most important characteristics of a leader being present is to celebrate successes along the way. While on our journey towards achieving big, audacious goals, the milestones we celebrate along the way are what keep individuals and teams moving in the right direction. Recognizing the moments, the people and their contributions are vital to the motivation of the team.
Here are some questions to reflect on:
• Are our long-range goals in plain sight?
• Are we recognizing the progress we are making?
• Where are we winning as an organization/team right now?
• What should we be celebrating to create/maintain momentum?
In other words, what are your Big Sur or in-between Ironman stages moments? Stop, take a breath, look around and enjoy the view. There is likely much to be proud of right in front of you, and that's something you can appreciate as you continue on your drive to your ultimate destination of great success.
"Happy" - Google News
January 09, 2020 at 08:09PM
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The High Achiever's Guide To Being Happy With What You Have - Forbes
"Happy" - Google News
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