” Self-Renewal is possible if we don’t lose our capacity to learn and grow. But renewal…depends in some measure on motivation, commitment, conviction, the values men live by, the things that give meaning to their lives”. John W. Gardner, author of Self-Renewal
Positive change results when we become aware of, observe and accept a new way to think and behave. We feel a new way is better when we experience more balance, peacefulness, or joy, than by continuing with our old habits and daily routines. Breakout of old routines and habits and do something different. Be willing to experiment and test your boundaries by taking challenging risks.
To become a great enterpreneurial leader, you must first become a great person. You do that by studying yourself intimately, learning how you behave, and getting feedback on the effects you have on others. To be a successful leader you need to learn how to cultivate feedback. It’s similar to learning tennis, golf or music, feedback is essential, practice is essential, risking taking is essential and so is the willingness to realize you don’t know everything even when you’re the CEO. As we all want fulfillment, we should welcome and incorporate our expanded learning and insights–increasing our capacity for openness, reflection and self-awareness. The key becomes the passionate pursuit of results through recovery and then taking constructive action to change your behaviors through action.
Here are five simple tips to help you avoid “playing not to lose” and how to develop or reset your life by “playing to win” so as find and live a life that you are truly passionate about:
1. Vision and Dream Setting:– Reflect on times when you have “Played to Win”. When you gave a 110% and embraced the possibility of greatness.
Think back over life to times when you’ve felt yourself unquestionably going for greatness, following your passions and succeeding beyond expectations. What did that feel like? What did you think? What did you do? What happened because of your actions? How can you recreate that experience in your life now?
2. Live Each Day Without Limitations–Take some risks
Each and every day make sure you update your mental maps and do something to challenge the hum-drum of the status quo. Make learning and “self-development” and your strengths and passions a priority. Do one new thing each day. Have new experiences, open your mind to new connections and ideas and begin to do things that ignite your passion for life.
3. Reinforce Strengths by eliminating “Energy Drainers” and Stress
Having negative energies in our life can easily bring us down and encourage further feelings of depression. We have all encountered “energy drainers” at home, in social situations and, worst of all, at the workplace. These interactions are filled with emotionally damaging interactions that impact our zest for life. We feel stuck, upset and impotent to handle these recurring situations. Take notice of these interactions –what was the situation, who was involved, and how did you handle the situation. Reflect and ask yourself how you good of done different things to change the interaction from a negative experience to a more positive one. Try to find positive solutions in order to change your negative reactions. Take time to stop repeating old patterns of interaction and replace them with positive energy resources. Talk to uplifting people, read inspiring poems and on a daily basis reflect on quotes to eliminate stress and renew positive thoughts and energy. Plant a garden, ride your bike take a hike, play some tennis, or anything you enjoy which renews positive energy. Be clear on your moment objectives, accept your feelings and do what you need to do to restore balance and positive energy in your life. Remember to do something great takes more than desire and dreaming. It takes positive and concrete action.
4. Develop and create a strong sense of worth and love for who you are and what you want in life.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your needs and wants? What are your likes and dislikes? How in touch are you with your emotions and feelings? Do you let your emotions overwhelm you or do you accept them and move on? Can you enjoy life in the “here and now” moment or are you always looking backwards or toward the future? What is your opinion on politics, religion, or life philosophy? Do you simply pick up the opinion of talk radio or cable and go with the crowd? Or do you truly know what you value and are willing to fight for? Do you make time to reflect and listen to feedback of your impact on others? Do you self-disclose to others who you really are? Do you explore your need to update your mental maps and point of views? Answering these questions honestly will give you a good sense of what you want in life and will increase your opportunities for living a good quality of life.
5. Create a “Dream Journal”– Take Notice Each Day Of What You Love to do and don’t like to do. Re-frame opportunities and dreams missed or put off. What can you do renew your passion for life. First exercise is to identify what do you want? Make a list from 1-10 . Although this exercise seems easy most people avoid doing it. Don’t worry about the order or importance just write them down. You can prioritize later. Remember these are things you want to have, do and be in your life. Take some time each day to tune into your inner voice. Listen to what resonates with you and what you truly enjoy. What excites you most about your potential dream job or the job you already have? Make it a morning or evening ritual to take 15 minutes to have some personal quiet time and really take stock of what turns your inner light on.
By learning and applying these recover techniques on a regular basis your awareness of when you’re “playing to lose” will greatly increase, empowering you to refocus on “ playing to win” doing the best you can with what you have. Greatness and renewal do not just magically appear. You need to accept yourself and do what you have to do to bring greatness into your life. Remember, you will become as dull as your unfulfilled dreams and only as great as your willingness to live your dreams. Renewing your dreams and desires is just the starting place. Get out of your head and get started on fulfilling the new dreams you want to have.
Growth Mindset: Be a Life-long Learner 