When you take ownership of your life, you become more self-aware and understand your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. This understanding helps you lead with confidence and make better decisions.
Taking ownership of your life, moreover, encourages you to take responsibility for your actions, which is an invaluable quality in both leadership and management. Leaders and managers who take ownership of their lives are more likely to be successful because they can see the bigger picture, make decisions that are in the best interest of their team and the organization, and hold themselves accountable for the results.
An ‘ownership mentality’ also inspires you to take initiative and act proactively to solve problems and improve processes. This quality is essential for any leader or manager, as it demonstrates their ability to think critically and be creative when needed.
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READ ALSO: What is Psychological Safety and How to Create it?
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Taking ownership of your life is a powerful tool for becoming a better leader and manager, and it can help you reach your goals with greater ease and effectiveness. It all starts with conscious life leadership, which calls for you to first take a deep look at your own inner life in order to understand, lead, and manage other people and organizations. Awareness is key.
Take Ownership of your Happiness
Taking ownership of your own happiness starts with recognizing that your happiness is in your own hands. This means understanding the power of your thoughts, actions, and attitude.
Ensuring one’s own happiness is at times misunderstood as selfish. Nothing is further from the truth. When you are feeling good, you are much more likely to make people around you feel good. Moreover, you are much more likely to make sound and good decisions as your energy is not held hostage by negative thoughts and can be applied to the needed evaluation and analysis of the situation at hand.
When you focus on the positive and actively work towards achieving your goals, you will find yourself feeling happier and more content.
Being responsible for your own happiness moreover implies taking the time to get to know your core values so you can create and live a life in alignment with these. This is what authentic living means: there is no discrepancy between what you think, feel, say, and do. Living authentically makes you happy because it causes inner harmony and peace. You are who you say you are. This causes others to trust and confide in you.
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INTERESSERET I FOREDRAG, KURSER/WORKSHOPS ELLER PERSONLIG RÅDGIVNING – SÅ KONTAKT MIG, VIBEKE VAD BAUNSGAARD, PHD – PÅ MAIL: vibeke@vibekebaunsgaard.com ELLER RING TIL MIG DIREKTE PÅ 5059 5013.
JEG SER FREM TIL AT HØRE FRA DIG.
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Never underestimate the importance of nurturing relationships with family and friends. Research shows that not having a close relationship is as damaging to your overall health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. When at your deathbed – you will praise the time you spent with family and friends – not time building a new kitchen or working long hours at the office.
You are not your body, but it is your vehicle partner on this earth journey, so treat it as a friend. Again, self-care is not selfish – you should always prioritize the care of your physical and mental health.
Taking ownership of your own happiness means that you take responsibility for your own well-being and create a life that you love! If you are unsure about what kind of life that matches you perfectly – then get a mentor, advisor, or coach, who can facilitate understanding and planning your journey – it may be the most important step you’ll ever take.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Today, we are constantly bombarded with images and stories of other people’s successes and accomplishments. In this setting, it can be tough to stop comparing yourself to others. But it’s important to remember that everyone has a unique journey and is on their own path.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on what makes you unique and strive to reach your own goals. Celebrate the successes of others, but don’t let them put you down. Believe in yourself and be proud of the progress you make.
Adopting parts of other people’s paths in life can be detrimental and put you to a stalemate and strip you of all motivation and inspiration. The reason is that other people have different passions, purposes, and inspiration factors than you do. Therefore, trying to adopt them will leave you feeling like a failure as they will ignite no energy in you. Once you lean into your own passion and purpose – it will feel like the difference between running in water and getting up on the road with solid ground under your feet. You will move faster while using less energy.
The Way you View Life Decides How you Live
Our outlook on life can significantly shape the experiences we have and the decisions we make. It’s important to remember that our thoughts and beliefs can have a real impact on our lives. By being attentive to the narratives in which we wrap the stories of our past, we can shape the present and set ourselves up for a life full of growth, joy, and fulfillment.
YOU DO NOT SEE THE WORLD AS IT IS. YOU SEE IT AS YOU ARE.
It is, however, not just about focusing on the positive. It is also about realizing that you do not see the world as it is. You see it as you are. Therefore, be humble in your evaluations and listen to other people’s points of view without judgment.
My favorite teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh said it with such elegance: the perceiver and the perceived are inseparable. In other words, the way we perceive (view things) is conditioned by what is already inside us. An angry person may see things differently from a person filled with compassion. It is important to look deeper and below the surface of things to discover the errors of our perceptions.
THE PERCEIVER AND THE PERCEIVED ARE INSEPARABLE
– Thich Nhat Hanh
How to Stay within the Realms of Positive Thinking
Aiming to be positive in your outlook is a great way to help you stay motivated and achieve success. We are not talking about a headless aim of just being positive for the sake of being positive. Instead, what we are aiming for is being in charge of our thoughts rather than our thoughts being in charge of us.
Here are some tips to help you stay within the realms of positive thinking:
- Focus on the present. Try to stay in the moment and focus on what you can do now to make the situation better.
- Remember, you are not your thoughts. Thoughts come and go while your consciousness remains the same. Don’t give too much weight to thoughts.
- Acknowledge your successes. Celebrate your achievements and the progress you have made.
- Avoid negative self-talk. Instead of putting yourself down, focus on the positive and remind yourself of your strengths.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Having a supportive network of family and friends can help you stay positive.
- Practice gratitude. Take time to appreciate the things in your life that make you happy and thankful.
- Get enough rest. Make sure to get enough sleep and relaxation to help keep your mind in a positive state.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure to get proper nutrition, exercise, and mental health care in order to stay positive.
Following these tips can help you stay within the realms of positive thinking and help you reach your goals.
You can Reframe your Past and Look at it as Learning
Every experience we have, even the difficult ones, can be viewed as a learning opportunity.
Your upbringing or past experiences may leave much to wish for, but would you be the same without all these experiences and would you have gathered the knowledge and wisdom had they not been your experiences?
We can view past experiences as teachings in life-school and use them as tools to grow, become more resilient, and approach the future with a new perspective. This concerns how we view our own life, but also how we view others and in return receive their views.
How to Stay Open to New Perspectives
One of the best ways to stay open to new perspectives is to practice active listening. Active listening means really engaging with what the other person is saying and trying to understand their point of view. Try to be curious and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s perspective.
Moreover, try to take a step back and reflect on your own perspective to see if there are any areas where you can be more open-minded.
Finally, it’s essential to be willing to accept that you may be wrong or that there may be aspects of the other person’s perspective that are correct. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you stay open to new perspectives.
You are not your Thoughts
It’s important to remember that your thoughts are not who you are, they are just a part of you. You have the power to choose which thoughts you focus on and how they impact your life. Take some time to observe your thoughts and recognize that they are not the only part of you. You are much more than the sum of your thoughts.
You decide which seeds of thoughts to water. Those watered will flourish and thrive. Those given no water (attention) will dry out. Be aware of the thoughts you allow to stay in your mind. Don’t invite hostile thoughts over – gently tell them thanks for stopping by and goodbye.
As mentioned above, increasing your awareness is also an exercise in controlling thoughts so thoughts are not allowed to control you.
Connect to your Inner Being
Taking time to connect to your inner being is a rewarding experience. It helps you to become more in tune with your emotions, understand yourself better, and gain clarity in your life.
To get started, try making room for a few moments each day to take some deep breaths and focus on the present moment. Moments where you don’t direct your attention anywhere – just be. After a minute or so – say with your inner voice: I am taking my energies home. Energy, come home. All the things you have given your energy – thoughts of partners, an annoying boss, a thing nagging from the past, or whatnot – leave them be for the moment and take the energy spent on them home to yourself. Feel the difference?
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You can also practice mindfulness meditation, journaling, or going for a walk in nature to help you reconnect with yourself. Remember that it is a journey. It may take some time and effort to get used to it. Don’t force it and let go of any expectations of how it should be or how it should feel. Just be. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, just remember to be kind and gentle with yourself.
Increase your Level of Awareness with Mindfulness
One great way to increase your level of awareness is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts, feelings, or surroundings. It can help you become more aware of yourself and your external environment. Living a life more mindful and intentional life brings well-being.
You can start practicing by engaging your senses in everyday activities, such as taking time to appreciate the sounds, smells, and tastes around you. Feel the sun on your face; the wind. Try also to be more mindful of your reactions to different situations and practice being more mindful in conversations with others.
Oftentimes, the difference between a thoughtful response and an unthoughtful reaction is that micro pause between the other person’s words or doings and your own. When mastering applying mindfulness to this micropause – then you can positively change your relationships with your children, family, colleagues, and all people around you.
Be sure to Spend your Time with the Right People
The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your life. Therefore, make sure that you’re spending your time with people who are supportive, uplifting, and have similar values and goals. It is very difficult to stay positive around people who are mostly negative!
For that reason, it is beneficial to find people who can encourage you to reach your goals and help you stay accountable – people who thrive from seeing you pursue your passions.
IF YOU ARE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG ROOM!
Make it a goal to surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up, inspire you, and support you on your journey. In short, choose to engage with people who are optimistic, encouraging, and who understand your goals and ambitions.
When you are feeling down, look to those people for the inspiration and motivation you need to stay on the right path. Popular speaking – if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room!
Join Networks of Great Leaders and Managers that Will Inspire You
Joining networks of other great leaders and managers can be a great way to stay inspired and motivated. These networks can provide valuable insight into the latest trends and developments in the industry and give you the chance to learn from the experiences of others.
It can also be a great way to find mentors and connect with like-minded individuals who can help you grow and succeed. There are many different networks available in a variety of industries, so do some research and find the ones that best fit your goals and interests.
Once you join, make sure to take advantage of the resources available, engage with other members, and use the opportunity to grow and better yourself. Receive and give back.
Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a great way to appreciate the good things in life and to be mindful of how fortunate we are.
One way to practice gratitude is to start each day by writing down three things that you are thankful for. This simple exercise helps you set a positive tone for the day.
If journaling is not your thing, just reflect on the positive experiences and people in your life each day. Acknowledging the people and things that bring joy to your life helps you stay connected to the things you are grateful for.
MOST SMILES ARE STARTED BY ANOTHER SMILE
– F. Clark
Finally, don’t forget to express gratitude to the people around you. A simple ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate you’ can go a long way in showing your appreciation for the people in your life; including colleagues and employees. A smile often starts with another smile.
Be the Leader or Manager you Wish you had
As a leader or manager – as a human being – strive to be a role model for your team. Be accessible and approachable, while also providing clear expectations and direction. Be open to hearing ideas and feedback from the team and be willing to work with them to find the best solutions.
Furthermore, be committed to providing fair and consistent recognition when your team meets or exceeds expectations, and be willing to provide constructive criticism and feedback when appropriate.
Above all, always work to provide a safe, inspiring, and positive work environment for your team. This is not only good for you and all people around you – it is good business.
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This article was first published in ManageMagazine – in January 2023.
