Posted on by hildaweisburg

Be More Effective

According to Merriam Webster, effective means “producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect.” A second meaning for the word is “ready for service or action.” You obviously want to get certain tasks done during the course of the day, but are you doing this effectively? And if not… why not?

When you sit down at your desk, are you completely ready for action? Or do you start by straightening things up, putting off the moment when you begin? Even after you have begun, there are so many things that can and do pull you off track. It’s no wonder that by the time you finish for the day, it’s frequently later than you had planned, and you are often feeling battered and thoroughly exhausted.

In his blog post, These Three Questions Help Our Effectiveness, John Keyser quotes David Emerald’s 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama, observing how the approach is simple, helpful, and insightful. The responses to these questions require reflection which Keyser guides you through. As usual, even though this post is intended for business leaders, you are leaders, and it does apply to all of us.

Here are the questions and the process for responding to them (italics are based on Keyser’s emphasis):

  1. Where is my focus? – Take time to notice where your thoughts are going and if they are pulling you off track. Ask yourself: Am I focused on where it should be? Am I listening to what my teachers really want/need? Have I heard what the student was really looking for? Do I communicate my appreciation for what they do? Do I let teachers know I am grateful when they take a chance and work with me? When I am helping others, am I focused on doing my best so they do a great job? Do I do it all with kindness or am I abrupt and thinking about getting back to a task? In the process, am I giving feedback in positive ways that can be heard? You won’t be able to do all of these at once (or immediately) but keeping them in mind will help.
  2. How are my relationships? – Keyser says, “Relationships matter greatly” and this is no surprise to us. I have repeatedly stated we are in the relationship business. If we aren’t building relationships, we will be out of business. To do this, Keyser recommends one-on-one conversations. Every interaction, planned or spontaneous, is an opportunity for starting or building a relationship.
  3. What steps/actions am I taking? We cannot ignore the truth that everything we do has an impact. The smallest step in relationship-building leads to more steps. The clearer your focus, the better your results. To-do lists and priorities are recommended as always as a way to see your progress and know that you are moving in the right direction. Keyser recommends you have only three items on your to-list, and these should be the ones that will produce the most significant outcomes. (In other words, don’t just pick the easy ones.) Be hones with yourself – what will move you toward your most desired result.

You probably won’t go through these three every day. However, if you do this at the beginning of the work week and then review them again at the end, you’ll see the results as well as where you want to do things different. The process and practice of self-reflection and self-evaluation is good to develop and will lead to great effectiveness.

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The Truth About Multi-tasking

Last week, I shared with you about the real problem of decision fatigue and having too many choices. This is what leads many of us to spend our day multi-tasking. But there’s a downside to this skill – it doesn’t work. Studies show that we cannot successfully do many things at the same time. Yes, your brain is constantly chattering at you when you have a lot on your plate, and you have multiple thoughts in your head at any given time, but the simple fact is multi-tasking doesn’t help us to do the job we want.

I was a confirmed multi-tasker. I was proud that I could respond to a few emails, get back to working on a project, and open some junk mail while I was taking a call. But it was costing me. Almost every time I multi-tasked, I didn’t produce my best work. I hit send in my email – and realized too late that I had made typos, or worse, I sent it to the wrong person. Other times, I didn’t fully read an email I received and didn’t follow through properly. Projects were completed, but not as well as they could be. Everything got slightly short changed.

Multi-tasking didn’t and doesn’t work.

So how do you get through it all? Naphtali Hoff advises Instead of Multitasking, Go All in on Your Tasks. We need to be single-task focused. He offers the following 8 steps to take:

  1. Make a to-do list and/or block out times – Take note of your priorities and then set time to do them. One at a time. You don’t need to act on your biggest priority first (especially if you don’t have the time until later), but know what you are going to do and when. And then only do this thing.
  2. Break down large projects or tasks into chunks – Because we frequently look at how much needs to be done – and frequently get overwhelmed – this one is important to repeat. Get clear on the steps, and then do each step completely before moving on to the next. It’s the old story, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” As each step is taken, success doesn’t seem impossible.
  3. Work in time blocks – Hoff says to work for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. This works great if you can keep your breaks to five minutes (To be honest, I’m not always good at that). Working for short, dedicated periods of time helps our brains to not “panic” that we have to stay focused indefinitely. Like breaking things into chunks, breaking down time this way works, too. It is also easy to stay focused on one thing if you know it’s for a shorter period of time.
  4. Remove distractions – Hoff has several recommendations, including shutting off your phone (so hard!), keeping your desk neat, and closing open computer tabs. Do what you can to keep your focus on the single task you are trying to accomplish.  
  5. Set unrealistic personal deadlines – This one is a little more controversial and won’t work for everyone. Hoff believes that if you give yourself a shorter deadline, you’re more likely to stay focused and be more productive. Try it (and let me know if it works!) For example, tell yourself you’ll get something that normally takes you an hour done in half an hour, then push yourself to do it. For some, that deadline and pressure will be motivating.
  6. Write it down – Most of the time, when we suddenly remember we need to do something while we’re in the midst of another project, we attend to it. Then when we get back to the original task, we waste time reviewing to find out where we are. Instead, keep a notepad nearby, make note of what needs to be done next (or later), then get right back to what you are doing during this time block knowing that you won’t forget and can take care of the other project later.
  7. Follow your energy – When do you do your best work? First thing in the morning? After answering emails? Maybe you’re an evening person. Use that time for the work that needs your clearest focus and schedule other tasks for other times.
  8. Enjoy the sensation – It’s that inner delight when you cross something off your to-do list. The more you do, the more energized you are. Take the time to feel good about what you’ve done and you’ll have more energy to tackle whatever comes next.

Being a leader puts a lot on your plate. So does running a school library. You will do better at both if you follow as many of these steps as possible and stop multi-tasking and instead, keep your focus to a single task at a time. By doing this, you’ll be amazed at how many tasks you actually get done and how well you’re able to do them.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Combatting Decision – and Leadership – Fatigue

Most people aren’t aware of how many decisions they make over the course of the day. Starting with what to wear, what to have for breakfast and continuing from there, is it any wonder that by the end of the week (if not sooner) we’re unable to make a clear choice? This is known as Decision Fatigue – the mental exhaustion that results from the toll all our decisions take on our thoughts and resulting in the difficulty, or even inability, to make more decisions.

The most notable cure for Decision Fatigue is the Eisenhower Decision Matrix (also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix) which recommends identifying which of the decisions you need to make are urgent and which are important. Some are both, some neither, and some one or the other. The big takeaway that is not always mentioned is that once you make a firm decision, you are able to relax because all the other possibilities are not churning through your brain.

Personally, I was recently in such a state. I had a significant interruption in my personal life, and I was about to work on a fall class for which I was scheduled where there were some tech issues that were concerning me. My program leader, hearing of my personal issue, offered to replace me. My first thought was to reject the offer because this is work I love. But on examining urgent and important, it became clear that I needed to accept it. I did, and it’s amazing how much calmer I am as a result.

Decision fatigue is endemic in leadership, and you are a leader so you need tools that can help you when this happens. In addition to the Eisenhower Matrix, Art Petty offers seven other ideas for managing this in his blog post Leadership Fatigue Is a Thing –Make Time to Recharge offers seven other ideas for getting past it.

  1. Center on your purpose as a leader – He asks how do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to make? And what help do others need from you? My recommendation is focus on your Mission statement. It will help you decide what’s urgent and /or important.
  2. Adjust your attitude through Beginner’s Mind thinking – When you are a beginner, all is possible – but that can’t last. Petty recommends “suspending judgment and seeking first to understand.” He finds this leads to a deeper level of calm and the opportunity for new discoveries.
  3. Treat the workplace as a living laboratory and start experimenting – As with the above, this brings freshness into your day. It will spark the enthusiasm that disappeared when your decision fatigue took over. Try a new approach. Look for a new way of doing something. And consider asking, who else can handle this task (which is part of the Eisenhower Decision Matrix)?
  4. Commit to creating value at every encounter – How you can impact, improve in some way, what the other person is experiencing? A quick suggestion to a teacher or well-chosen words of encouragement to a student can bring a positive response from them which, in turn, gives you a lift. It restores that enthusiasm. Petty (and I) recommend you keep track of these encounters.
  5. Get physical to rejuvenate the mind and body – It’s amazing how physical activity supports our success. For me, walking outside restores my whole being. I take time to breathe deeply which helps me have a positive mindset. Add meditation if that speaks to you All this helps in erasing the drain of decision fatigue.
  6. Reinvent your career without resigning – Look at interesting possibilities that capture your attention and passion within our world. If you belong to AASL or another national library organization, you might consider doing occasional blog posts for them. This practice can help you identify the important things in your life, promote your leadership skills, increase the presence of your library and give you a sense of satisfaction. Maybe you could join a school committee or drop one that’s draining, boring, and/or accomplishing nothing.
  7. Do something completely different – What fills you up outside of your work. I have many friends who are quilters in addition to being library leaders. Do you like to draw? Have you considered writing a book? What possibility engages your mind and passion? Once you add it you will have something else bringing enthusiasm into your life.

Recognize when decision fatigue is making your work – and therefore personal – life draining, exhausting, and lacking the feeling that first made you love what you do. Decision Fatigue will happen. When you know how it affects you, you can learn how to deal with it so you can continue make a difference in the lives others – and decide what to make for dinner.

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Stories Carry Your Message

We are constantly being told that data is important. It is.

We are told that decisions are made on data. They are. And they aren’t.

Studies have shown that we make 80% of our decisions using our emotions. We then use the remaining 20% to justify our decisions with logic. Businesses who want us to purchase their products know this and use it in commercials. You may buy a car because of its safety features, but no matter what you tell yourself, the reason you chose that brand has more to do with how you respond to it emotionally.

For years, we have had high-quality data showing the importance of school librarians to student learning. I applaud the researchers, many of whom are my friends. But districts are still not hiring librarians and claim it’s because we have been replaced by technology and are not necessary. Why is our message not getting through?

Perhaps it’s because we have too much data and not enough emotion. We have loads of stories about our students – and teachers – who have found success, learned, and grew because of the library. We need to tell our stories and tell them often.

Even if you are doing annual or and quarterly reports, start telling “snippets.” When a student has a great experience or breakthrough, send a quick email to your principal. One or more may strike a chord in your administrator. They might even include it in one of their reports to their superior. Make the story emotional – not only what was learned, but what was experienced.

Scott Van Voorhis says if you are Looking to Leave a Mark? Memorable Leaders Don’t Just Spout Statistics, They Tell Stories. He quotes research (Look! More data!) by Thomas Graeber that showed stories stick to our minds better than anything. Humans have always been telling stories. Our cave-dwelling ancestors told stories then illustrated them on the cave wall. Stories are how we communicate as human beings.

We have a lot of stories. Stories of triumphs and failures. Which should you tell and when? According to Graeber, if you want people to remember something for more than a day, “building a unique story around it is essential.”

Consider first the message you want to send. It’s best if it connects to your Mission. What happened in your library with a student that best illustrates the idea? Tell the story and then incorporate relevant data. Later, use the story as part of the requests you make.

For example, if you want to include more diversity in your collection, talk about how excited a student was to see themselves in a book. Perhaps one that was written by someone from his culture. Then point to the diversity audit you have conducted showing how few books represent all your students. You can then refer back to this story when you request funds for or order more diverse books.

While “eye-catching statistics” may work in business and help them move to immediate action, this is rarely an option in education. Statistics mixed with story can give you the longer lasting impact you want. For example, statistics on the difference between the performance of college freshmen who had a high school librarian and those who didn’t is powerful but coupled with stories from your school’s alumni—it’s lasting and shows the long-term benefit of the work you do.

I always use stories in my presentations and in my books (and frequently here in this blog). They strike emotional chords that readers and participants respond to. They form a connection between you and them. Data gets forgotten; stories get remembered. As librarians, we are not only good at telling stories, we understand the impact they make. Add this to your Leadership qualities and start telling them.

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Holding On To Summer Joy

With August around the corner, summer is, I’m sorry to say, fading fast. Some of you are going back in only a few weeks. Some of you will be in your library weeks before it is necessary, so you feel more prepared. Did you have fun during your vacation? Take time to read something wonderful or go to some place special? How many books did you take off your TBR pile? What if you could carry some of that summer joy and relaxation into the school year or rekindle it when you need it?

Ken Blanchard, bestselling author of leadership books including The One Minute Manager, has some ideas you can use in his blog post Have a Summer Attitude at Work and at Home. If you can start putting his recommendations in place now, you will build the habit before your work schedule tries to pull you off track.

Blanchard says to Take Time to Recharge Yourself and gives these ways to do it and plan for it:

  • Get up a little earlier – You don’t want to start your day in a rush. You don’t do that in summer. Whether you exercise, journal, or meditate, this is how you bring a calm mindset to begin the day. A few extra minutes in the morning can have a lasting impact.
  • Make plans to take a break from the ordinary – What small pleasurable thing can you do that’s different from your routine? Whether you set up a date with your spouse or a friend to have dinner out or make fun plans for the weekend, having something you enjoy waiting in your immediate future to adds a lift to your day. Think of how fun it will be to put in your calendar and see the day get closer.
  • Use your vacation or PTO days– This suggestion of Blanchard’s works if you can plan ahead for when we do have off, whether that’s long weekends or winter/spring breaks. You may also be able to get time off to attend a conference during the school year. That’s another way to recharge after school has started again.

Blanchard’s next big idea is to Have More Fun at Work and at Home by:

  • Setting the tone – You are a leader, and the library is where it shows up for all to see.  In making it a safe, welcoming space for all, also make it a safe, welcoming space for you.  How does your office help or hinder your mental attitude? What do you enjoy seeing each time you come into the library?
  • Keep your own sense of humor at the ready – I’m dating myself with this one, but I always think of the TV program M.A.S.H. Despite all the horrors around them, they always found something to laugh at and knew to take time to each other’s company. Where can you bring or find laughter?
  • Celebrate everything – Don’t rush past or overlook any achievement or special day whether that’s yours, or that of others. I keep a daily success journal daily to remind myself about what I did rather than focus on what I didn’t do. Even some of the fun non-holidays can be a fun reason to celebrate (National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day anyone? It’s August 4th. And Book Lovers Day is August 9th😉)
  • Reframe Your Attitude – This one we’ve heard in many guises. Look for ways to change your mindset. There’s always another way to look at things. Choose a positive one, even if it’s “Welcome to our zoo.” (Maybe make a display of zoo books or books with a “hey, we’re gonna get through this” theme).

You love being a librarian. You love working with students and teachers, and you’re excited to see what this year will bring to them all. You are a leader and have a lot to give. Look for ways to bring some of the joy of summer into your library and your life and look forward to the sunny days ahead.

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Your Body Is Communicating

We are constantly communicating. Often, we are having multiple conversations at the same time (ever have two messaging apps open?). Even when we are alone, we have conversations in our head. Sometimes innocuous (what to make for meals for the week), other times critical (reviewing our goals and what steps to take next). And then there are the conversations we have that support or contradict what we are saying – even as we say it.

Body language is one of our most basic and effective communication tools. Animals use it to communicate fear, aggression, and attraction. They bristle, they intimidate, they puff up, they nuzzle, they cower in submission. And in many ways, we do the same. When you come in contact with someone, you immediately identify whether or not you know the person. Whether your connection is positive or negative, you read their body language and make some assessment of what is coming. You respond with your own body language. Not a word is spoken, but communication has occurred. And all of it happened below your conscious recognition. What is said next may reflect an accurate reading of the other person—or not.

And if your body is saying something you don’t want or mean to communicate, problems may result. As a leader, it’s important to be aware of the message your body is sending how almost all of your body is used in this conversation: your face (lips, eyes), arms (shoulders, fingers), posture, and, if you are seated, your legs.

Your body is doing a lot of communicating. In How Your Body Language May Be Causing Your Team to Disconnect, Stephanie Vozza reviews different ways you may be unknowingly communicating, and how to avoid sending the wrong message. Which of these might you be doing?

  • Leaning in or leaning back – When we are seated and lean in to speak or listen, we show interest. If we lean back, it conveys dislike. Vozza says this behavior can reveal your unconscious biases. Take note of where your body is.
  • Turning away – When you are standing and slightly angle your body away, you are sending the same message as leaning back. It can also suggests you want to leave the conversation. The reminder from Vozza is “respect is shown belly-to-belly” meaning front of the body facing the front of their body. Eye contact matters as well.
  • Allowing interruptions – We often do this inadvertently with students. When an adult comes into the library needing something, do you turn from the student to deal with it? By asking the student to wait, even if it is to tell the adult you will be with them in a moment, suggests to the student that they are not as important. If the adult needs appear to be urgent, let the student know you will be back as soon as possible. Ask them to wait. Then, come back as quickly as possible. And apologize for the interruption.
  • Doing the opposite of your words – When you are saying one thing and your body is saying something else, the mixed message will affect how others see you. For example, you can lose someone’s trust if you are saying you’re willing while your arms are crossed in front of you. Losing trust affects the relationship, and we always want to keep our relationships strong.
  • The only way to control your body language – It’s all in your mind. Vozza says you can’t fake it till you make it. Change your mindset – and mean it. Forcing yourself to hold a positive thought won’t do it. You have to believe it. Focus on something about the person or issue you can believe. It will take practice, but the effort is worth it.

You have countless dealings with others in the course of your day. Each interaction is an opportunity to show you are a leader, and one important quality of leadership is Integrity. Keep your words and your body language in agreement. The stronger and clearer your communication, the more you will build trust and relationships.

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Librarians Lead and Manage

I’ll never stop saying this – You must be a leader. It’s the first of your five roles as a librarian according to the AASL National Standards for School Librarians.But you also have four other roles: Instructional Partner, Information Specialist, Teacher, and Program Administrator. How do those fit into your work? When you think about these other roles, are you a manager or a leader?

For many of us, it depends on the situation. To get clear, look at your Mission and Vision statements. Your Mission is your Perspiration (the work you do). Your Vision is your Aspiration (what you’re working toward). Each of these roles supports both.

As an Instructional Partner, you may have initiated the connection as part of attaining your Vision. While you are engaged in the partnership, you are mostly managing it, although there may be times you are leading such as when you guide the teacher in developing what you will be doing together.

In your role as Information Specialist, you lead the way when introducing new resources into the curriculum. You help teachers master them, either by giving them one-on-one help, sending an email about it, or doing a grade/subject level meeting professional development workshop.

When Teaching, you’ll probably find yourself managing the class. However, you also will have an Essential Question which will lead students to think outside the box. As a leader, you are also thinking of ways to publicize student learning to show the value of the library program to people in and outside the school

Administering the library program requires developing a budget and planning for the future. This part of the task requires leadership and looking into the future for what your program needs. In maintaining the budget and curating sources you will use, you are managing.

When you’re having trouble seeing yourself as a leader, reflect on what you do to make the library indispensable to the educational community. Your leadership is there. You exhibit many of the endless lists of leadership qualities described in numerous business articles.

If you’re having trouble seeing some of your skills, Bart Finelli’s came up with Five Qualities That Set Leaders Apart from Managers. These three are in a librarians’ toolbox:

  • Leaders are coachable themselves – Even as we bring those new resources in our role as Information Specialist, we are always on the lookout for what the next one will be. In our search, we go to conferences, attend webinars, and belong to Professional Learning Networks. We know changes come fast and in order to bring it to our schools and districts we must be role models for lifelong learning.
  • A leader’s actions match their words – Almost all lists of leadership qualities include integrity. That is taken to mean you can be counted on to do what you said. You keep confidences, and people trust you. But this statement goes beyond that. You say the library is a safe, welcoming space for all. You speak of the importance of Intellectual Freedom. But are you living those statements? These are challenging times, and you may have to make difficult choices. Are you living your code of values? It’s tough but be honest with yourself.
  • Leaders are entrepreneurs – This is your Vision at work – and also your role as Program Administrator. You want to grow your library program, but money is scarce or non-existent. What do you do? Many of you have become expert at finding grants or using DonorsChoose.org. You find local businesses who contribute their knowledge/talent or sometimes materials for your Makerspaces. You not only think outside the box, you no longer have a box.

It’s summer vacation, and I know you are using the time to learn and grow even as you take the needed to time to rejuvenate. As you relax, reflect on your accomplishments, notice your moments of leading and managing and what that’s brought your students and your school. What you do is important, and despite the many challenges you keep going. You are a Manager. You are a Leader. You are a Rock Star.

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Leaders Are Always Learning

I spent last weekend at the ALA Conference in Chicago. While the weather made the trip home interminable, the conference was well worth it. Spending days learning and being in the presence of leaders is always rejuvenating and inspiring, and it reminded me that opportunities to learn are everywhere.

When it comes to professional development, much is discussed about the benefits of mentors, but don’t estimate the power of role models. At a conference you can hear leaders you admire speak at various presentations. What may be surprising to many conference newbies is that you can approach and talk to them, and, if they have time, they will take the time to respond to questions. And as you watch them, you can take note of how they present themselves. Their body language and how they speak gives you a window into how leaders are. Remember, they weren’t always leaders. They followed a path, and if you are willing to leave your comfort zone, you can do so as well.

You may not be able to attend a national conference (and for my foreign readers these may not even be available for librarians), but you can seek out your local or state/territory leaders as role models – and perhaps have them become mentors. What is important is that you start thinking about what you want the course of your career to be, find the people who are already there, then look for ways to learn from them.

And it doesn’t only have to be library leaders – you can learn from anyone who is in a leadership role, regardless of the field and whether or not you believe they are a good leader.  CEO Nadine Young offers these lessons for future leaders:

  1. Leadership has nothing to do with your job title – Leadership is about behaviors not about titles. We have all had administrators who weren’t leaders. Sometimes it was their secretary who was the true leader – and they obviously didn’t have a title. When you propose a new program or seek to make changes in how the school library looks or functions, you are being a leader. When you pitch in to help with an administration initiative or a teacher project, you are being a leader. Leaders are visible.
  • Harness Your Inner Teen – This is very original and worth considering. It doesn’t mean the rebellious teen who argues with everything, but rather the passionate adolescent. Like Young, I can remember saying, “when I am older, I will ….” Mostly, it was never to forget what it was like being a teen. It was also about keeping my word, as some adults didn’t – especially something they promised to a teen. As Young suggests, recall what behaviors of others crushed you. What and who inspired you? What was it that had you say, “I can’t wait until I am old enough to …?”
  • To Lead, You Need to Follow – Leaders who think they can do it all themselves are destined to fail. Listen to your colleagues. Listen to what students are saying and be conscious of their feelings. I am a strong believer of the adage, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  You also are following by leading from the middle. When you are doing that, you should be observing the formal leader as a role model. Even one who does not lead well can be a role model for what you never want to do.

Make the most of however much downtime you get over the summer. Use these days and weeks to be with family and friends. Be kind to yourself – and the family who supported you through it. And as you look to the future, look for the current leaders who will guide you. If you are fortunate, one whom you admire might be willing to be more than a role model and become a mentor.

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Don’t Get Overwhelmed

You know you need balance in your life, but what about those times when your balance is so shaky you feel like you are going to tip over? You know what you are supposed to do: Identify the important tasks and start with those, working your way down the list to the items which a lower priority. But most of what’s on your plate is both important and urgent with deadlines looming?

Welcome to the club. Many of us are overwhelmed. When this happens, most of us keep our heads down and slog forward. This is probably why so many school librarians and other educators counted down to the last day of school with more fervor than ever before. And even though the school year is over or almost over, depending on where you live, you know Fall is lurking in the distance and will be here before you know it. Then it will begin all over again.

Unless you have a plan.

Kristen Hendrix knows well what it’s like when your “cup runneth over”. The phrase generally refers to abundance, but it has another meaning to her and to most of us. In her blog post Cup running over? It might be time to dump it out, Hendrix takes a hard look at the quotes and memes around those words. She notes we’ve been told you can’t pour from an empty cup but must keep it filled with self-care making it possible. But she acknowledges that self-care is harder to fit into an already crammed schedule. Hendrix prefers asking, “What goes in the cup? How can I know when it’s too empty or too full? How can I use these insights to anticipate or respond to burnout?”

To answer these questions, she suggests we look at these six ideas which flow into each other:

  • The Cup of Life – While we all have this cup, what we put into it is unique to us. We are the ones who are filling it. If we just keep adding water, the cup will overflow. You can’t keep pouring more into it than it can hold. As Hendrix says, we must be mindful of what we are putting into it before this happens. Which is why the next idea is….
  • Filling Our Cup – Whatever we put into our cup can be put into categories such as work, family, health, volunteering, etc. Her comment about including “adulting (eating, showering, dressing, brushing teeth, etc)” resonated with me. Somedays, I feel getting undressed at night is one more chore. To determine how we fill our cup, we need to recognize whether it’s draining or energizing.
  • Managing to the Brim – It’s our choice whether we fill our cup to the brin or leave a little space in case something needs to be added. I am a to-the-brim person, but what happens when there is a change, and there’s a new task or responsibility? Unless you recognize the effect it will have, you will quickly become overwhelmed. I’ve learned to consider whether the new commitment fits with my priorities, purpose, and passions. If it doesn’t, I don’t take it on. If I do take it on, I look to see what can be delayed, cut back, or even eliminated.
  • Dump It All Out – Hendrix recounts her own breakdown when it all became too much. She had to eliminate everything until she recovered. The object is to recognize when you are approaching this tipping point before it happens. You may have to withdraw from a volunteering job you took on or find someone who can help you with one or more of your tasks.
  • Preventing Burnout – Recognize all that you are doing and prioritize. Hendrix recommends using the 80/20 rule (the Pareto Principle), which says that 80% of your results comes from 20% of your work. Focus on the productive 20%. What are your goals? If what you are doing doesn’t move you toward it, consider eliminating it. And if elimination isn’t a possibility, it may be time for the next step – delegating it.
  • Getting Help – Help can come in many forms, from people to work with which lightens the load to speaking with a professional if you who have become depressed and feel the joy is gone from your days. You can also reach out for a mentor, a friend, or anyone who will listen. Keeping everything bottled up when your stress is bubbling up inside is a recipe for a serious problem.

I recently said to someone that I was “whelmed,” – one more drop and I would be overwhelmed. Leaders need to be honest with themselves and recognize when they have become over-committed. Too many people are counting on us. Abundance is great, but too much is too much.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Moving from Fear to Success

Leaders have to effect change and work towards making their Vision a reality. To do this, they must take risks. Risk and growth are the only ways to achieve success, but they carry with them the chance for failure. And knowing this creates fear.

Fear manifests in many ways including that inner voice that says you aren’t good enough. Or it says even though you were successful before, it was a fluke. Fear is what underlies the well-discussed Imposter Syndrome. At its worst, it has you believing every success is a precursor to failure the next time you try something, keeping you from enjoying what should be a triumph. In its lesser forms, it has a paralyzing influence on your willingness to attempt a new project.

How do you deal with the fear of failure?

In her Smart Brief article, Laura Gassner Otting writes about the impact of Imposter Syndrome and proposes you Leverage Your Fear of Failure for Success. Use one to reach the other. She offers these three approaches for doing it:

  1. Let’s not fake it ’til we make it – Otting rejects the “fake it till you make it approach.” She maintains that when we are faking it, we don’t use our own thinking but restate the consensus, and that doesn’t lead to success. Faking it also means you know you are pretending, which keeps you from feeling confident. You are always waiting to be “caught.” This leads to trying to control everything rather than leaving space for learning. Better to make mistakes and learn than to pretend they are never going to happen.   
  2. Re-categorize failure from finale to fulcrum – We teach our students to see “fail” as an acronym for “First attempt in learning.” Although we know the learning process includes failure, we don’t always apply it to ourselves. No one likes to fail. Once again, mindset is critical. Look back at your failures. What did you learn from them? What were you able to achieve because of that learning? Had you not failed, you wouldn’t have had that success. It’s a process. As long as you don’t let a failure be final, the more success you have to overshadow any failures.
  3. Take a lesson from the pros – Athletes are out there for all the world to see. When they “fail,” it’s obvious to all. When a pitcher loses a game, or a player misses a much-needed basket, they face jeers and negative comments made by fans, sportscasters, and coaches. It’s painful. But tomorrow is another day, another game. They will look at the video and see what they missed, then learn and move on. When an attempt fails, it’s the start of the next step on the road to success. We can all use this as an example of how to face setbacks and mistakes and keep moving forward.

Your brain is a powerful tool. As often as possible, leaders accept the challenge of keeping their mindset focused on their Vision and Mission – not on fear. Both failures and successes – and learning from each – are part of any leadership path.