Guilt. What does this have to do with leadership? And why would a leadership coach be writing about it?
It must have something to do with leadership, because in my coaching I run into many leaders who struggle with it. One of the biggest areas of struggle seems to be the guilt associated with taking the time for self.
What makes it hard for some leaders to take time out for self? First of all there’s selfishness. That’s how some classify it when thinking about doing something for themselves.
Selfish is when we ‘take’ something for self at the cost of someone else. This is not the intent in taking the time a leader needs for continued freshness, creativity, and general effectiveness. The time for these things is selfless. It’s taking the time to make self better for those we serve and lead.
And then there’s busyness …. (Part 2).
P’U. The Uncarved Block. The Uncarved Block is a core concept of Taoism. In it’s simplicity, the Uncarved Block is filled with natural power. Nature is simple. Even complexity in nature is simple; all things serve the natural order. What is simpler than that? When we take away too much of that simplicity, things lose their natural power. As an artist, there are few things more magical than a blank canvas, a set of freshly sharpened pencils, and the smell of a newly opened can of paint. The end of a project brings satisfaction, no doubt. But do not sit too long in admiration of your handiwork. If you do, you miss the next opportunity. Instead, smile, be happy with what you have done, learn a lesson or two, and then set out a fresh set of newly-sharpened pencils. As a leader, there are few things more invigorating to me than the potential inherent in every new opportunity. Again, natural power. It is often the details of the many moving parts in our world that draw us away from our power, that make our inner voices more complicated and confused. Unnecessary complexity clouds the soul. And that robs us of our power. Jeff’s “Thoughts” message for August speaks to power and the importance of leaders utilizing that power. I would offer that the “selfish” act of focusing on the self settles our minds, calms our hearts, and allows us to become closer to the Uncarved Block inside each of us, to our source of Life power. The time you take in purposeful meditation, in refocusing your energy, or in developing a skill not often used reduces complexity rather than increases it. The time focused on self removes the distraction that keeps us from SEEING our own Uncarved Block. Trust me, the Uncarved Block is there. It’s just hard to see sometimes.
There is a wonderful book by Benjamin Hoff entitled “The Tao of Pooh.” Yes, Pooh. As in, “Winnie The.” And, yes, the author uses Pooh and his cohorts to explain P’U and other concepts of Taoism. It may seem “cute,” but it’s really an incredibly meaningful exploration of Taoism. It’s simple, too.