Face dragger
Mom always told me to stand up straight and for the most part I think I do. I can still hear her saying, “stand up straight Danny.” Did your mom do that?
Things are different today. Mom’s not around and I have a problem.
The problem is, when I’m thinking, I lower my head. I’ll be walking somewhere and thinking at the same time. That’s normal for me. Then it hits me. My head is hanging down and I’m walking like the hunch back of Notre Dame. Frankly, I’m lucky I’m tall. If I was short, I’d be a face dragger.
The cares of life, urgent needs, and deadlines can weigh us down. Beyond that, everyone is constantly engaged in an internal conversation that isn’t always pleasant.
Here’s the profound lesson of the day.
Hold your head up.
Your breathing changes and you’ll feel better if you just hold your head up. Now don’t get all cocky and take on an arrogant strut. Just lift your eyes from the ground, raise your head, and breathe.
Doesn’t that feel better?
What simple things do you do that make your day go better?
Leadership Freak
Dan Rockwell
You’re right, Dan! Just by doing a ‘chin up’ one can snap out of even the initial stage of depression. So many times I have challenged my family and friends to try to look morose while their chin is up and eyes looking straight ahead. And they end up not accepting the challenge because they know, like me, that that is simply not possible.
So, chin up and cheers!
Hey Kanan,
Thanks for jumping in. Love your challenge I’m going to try it out when I meet a face dragger or when I find my self dragging face. Cheers back atcha.
Dan
Dear Dan, I just had some Aikido introduction classes last week and the idea of getting grounded, and keeping the head up allows us to connecto with the sky. We become the link, between earth and the sky above. And from this grounded position we can flow with what is present, rather than escape from what is presented. Thanks for your thoughts. Yours, Marcello, from Brazil, but writing from Croatia.
Marcello,
You take holding your head up to new heights.
Regards,
Dan
Thank you so much for this short message. I am going to take on the challenge. I don’t want to be a face dragger any longer.
Amy, and thanks for jumping into the conversation. All the best, Dan
While working my way through postings prior to my connecting with your site I dropped in on the Jan 2010 “Why Others Follow”. As the Brits would likely respond Brilliant!
As a developed society we (particularly in the developed & [ing] world) has begun to recognize that working on our “less strong points” is not necessarily the only / best use of our own personal development time and the energy we focus on coaching mentoring others.
A periodic revisiting of the “What value is being created, which qualities are we consistently exhibiting and how are we creating loyalty, and Where is it that I am demonstrating by my action I am going”, has the required objectivity and powerful feedback effect to consistently reaffirm, realign and “reboxing” of our internal compass.
I suggest that this aspect of development deserves be a regular feature of your shared insight and counsel.
Your essays are not the usual “strategy or tactic of the day” or silver bullet to success. Rather you clearly articulate Principles or Values as the bedrock of a long term commitment to the character of Leadership.
What other core counsel can be offered and internalized than reminding individuals who are committed to this pursuit than regularly submitting your behavior and their drivers than self examination.
Doc,
Thanks for returning to LF and for leaving another great comment. LF readers love to read comments too!
Your suggestion to keep focusing larger principles and values is well taken. Success goes beyond adopting the latest hot tactic. Don’t get me wrong, I love cool techniques and prove strategies.
thank you for the encouragement
Regards,
Dan