2015 was a fantastic year in many ways. I broke away from being part of a big machine where I was an important cog, but a cog nonetheless. And with your support I laser-focused on where I believe I can add most value to society.
But make no mistake, there were moments of self-doubt, flickers of fear that I had taken on too much, too soon after my sudden-death experience. Again, with your help, particularly through my current clients who infuse me with huge jolts of energy, I looked at my negative thoughts and saw them for what they are – something undesirable, something I didn’t want. I was able to self correct and, steering clear of failure, gather my energy and guide myself onto continued success.
I mention this because if I, who coaches others, can have negative feelings that require not insignificant amounts of positive thinking to overcome, then how much more prevalent is such fear out there among CEOs and leaders who are exposing themselves and putting their necks on the line daily?
My main message to you is that you’re not alone – we all experience such negative thoughts. It is how you deal with them that sets you apart. I’ve got three mantras that help guide me in this respect and I want to share them with you:
1. Success is what you do, not a place you are trying to get to
Success is not a place, it’s not a noun. It’s a journey that you actively engage in, it’s a verb. Success is also subjective – your definition of what brings you joy defines what success is for you. If you allow yourself to be too influenced by others you will find that what you took to be success will be hollow, it won’t resonate with you and you will be unfulfilled.
2. Find your reason for being and you’ll find yourself
The Japanese talk about finding your ikigai, which translates to ‘reason for being’. When you find it and set yourself goals to strive for based on your ikigaithen you experience true joy. You will more readily enter the flow zone, you’ll find yourself experiencing the small things in life with more gusto – food will taste better, the air will be fresher, you’ll hear the birds. When you are in this state your unconscious will more readily take over the task of achieving goals that you set for yourself and things will feel like they are magically falling into place.
3. Embrace failure: don’t let your greatest mistake be making none
Failure is all around us. Accept it, learn from it and move forward. If you aren’t failing then you aren’t pushing yourself enough. This doesn’t mean betting the business at random, nor does it mean playing with the lives of your staff as if they are inconsequential. On the contrary, it means caring so deeply about your business and your people that you want only the best for them. The best inherently comes with more risk, the need for greater experimentation and following a path less trodden. If you’ve taken a considered action with this mindset, and that leads to failure, then embrace it, celebrate it, and push forward.
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With 2016 upon us I want you to see this as your year. Seize it with gusto and make the most of it.
My quest, at EXOscalr, is to positively impact the lives of 2 billion people and generate $1 trillion in value, for and through our clients. To achieve this goal I need to keep pushing both myself and the people I’m working with.
And so let me ask you,
” How can I help you more?”
“In what areas of leadership, of achieving success, do you most need a trusted advisor in your personal camp in 2016?“
Reach out and let me know. I’m here to serve you!
Join me on my quest, or dive in deeper – let’s make magic happen!
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At EXOscalr we work with our clients to burst the constraints of their potential and make a difference. We have created algorithms and an operating system to help leaders navigate their exponential growth. We also draw on decades of experience in venture capital, corporate innovation, building high growth organizations and advising the Fortune 1000 on transformation.
As a coach and leadership adviser I constantly focus on the trends in achieving exponential growth and how you can make more difference.
I read all my email at rand@exoscalr.com and I’m also at +1-650-529-4181, +1-646-480-0205 and +61-417-655-947.
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