Today’s message is super relevant to who we are as leaders and also to the situation that we find ourselves in with the uncertainty that’s in our workplaces and life right now.

I believe that when we make little shifts in what we believe or how we’re thinking, it opens doors to help us to move forward and get unstuck. And this can make a massive difference in how we feel.

I’m going to walk you through three shifts you can make to step into and claim your leadership power during this time of uncertainty. 

Spoiler alert…It all starts with you.

Step 1: Understand exactly what’s happening.

We’re going through this crazy time where shops are closed, our workplaces are closed, our usual way of working and living is disrupted. 

It’s not normal for us. 

And because we’re in this time of uncertainty, our brains and our minds just don’t know what to do. They don’t know how to process the situation that we’re in. They don’t know how to make sense of it. 

Our brains are used to putting situations and people that we encounter into boxes. 

And there’s no box for this. 

This is unprecedented. It’s not something that we’ve been through in our lifetime. It’s something we may never experience again.

But because it is so new, so uncertain, and we don’t know how to make sense of it, we can easily slide into feelings of fear, panic, worry, and anxiety. All the emotions that just don’t feel great.

So the first step here is just really to understand that this is unprecedented. It is brand new. We don’t know what to do with it. We’re trying to figure it out as we go. 

And sometimes our default when we’re in this type of situation is to turn to panic and worry and fear. So that’s a normal reaction.

Step 2:  Ask yourself a question

Ask yourself this…What am I making this mean?

The fact that my office is closed, the economy is spiraling, there’s a nasty virus infecting people around the world…what am I making all of this mean? 

Another way to think about it is…what meanings and beliefs am I attaching to the situation? 

On one hand you could be thinking…

My office is closed.

The company’s going under.

The economy’s tanking.

I’m going to lose my job. 

I’m not going to be able to pay my mortgage. 

I’m going to be homeless. 

That could be one kind of string of thoughts. 

On the other hand, which is where I tend to sit, you can think…

The collective WE are going through a transformation.

We’re going to get through it.

On the other side, we’ll be okay. 

There’s no right or wrong here. 

Whatever your beliefs or your thoughts are, I’d encourage you to write all of it down. Get clear on what’s going on in your mind, the assumptions you’re making, and the beliefs you have about this situation.

Put all of that on paper so you can see it in front of you and get a clear sense of what you’re thinking.

Here’s why that matters.

Because what you’re thinking is at the root of how you feel and what you do.

So do yourself a favor. Get clear on that, write it all down, and just look at it without judgement.

Step 3: Shift & Get Empowered

Here’s the main point to remember here: 

When you change the meaning of something, you also change the experience of it. 

So important.

When you change the meaning, you change the experience.

In this step you, ask yourself these three questions:

• What else is possible? 

Look back at what you wrote down in step 2. Look beyond the way you’ve been thinking, good or bad, and see what else is possible.

• What else may be true? 

Other than the company & economy falling apart, what else could be happening?

• What can I be grateful for right now? 

This is my favourite question! This one is super, super powerful because it can completely shift the way you’re thinking from doom and gloom to all of the blessings in your hands right now. 

You have a home where you can work and be safe. 

You have your health. 

Your friends & family are happy & cared for. 

Whatever those things are for you, write all of them down. 

*****

The most important takeaway when it comes to being an empowered leader is once again, when you change the meaning, you change the experience.

Take ownership of what you believe. 

That’s how you step into empowerment.

And when you shift what you believe, you also shift the outcomes that you create, the experiences you have, and you take some of your power & your control back.

Because that’s what leaders do.

Here’s what I’d love to know…

What are you most grateful for right now?

Leave a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going. 

You got this. I believe in you!

Cindy xo

Did you hear?? 

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Cindy Harvey is a Leadership Coach and Founder of Amelia Dee, a career strategy company for women. She has coached hundreds of clients on leveraging the power of energy & mindset to create success at work as well as designing a magnetic professional brand to make their next career move a breeze.

 

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