How Leaders Defeat Discouragement
You need encouragement because discouragement is real.
How leaders defeat discouragement:
#1. Embrace the three unglamourous basics of success.
It might surprise you, but success begins with healthy food, restful sleep, and moderate exercise. They seem boring but they fuel the leader you hope to become.
“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Vince Lombardi
You limit your potential when you neglect the basics.
#2. Fill your day with brief endings.
Create an ending, before your next beginning. Take a micro-break to acknowledge progress.
Recognize what you’ve done before looking around for the next thing to do.
The day drains you when your rush from one task to the next. Acknowledge your work and then move forward.
#3. Let go of anger.
Prolonged anger grows into soul-sucking discouragement.
- Shoot your inner control freak.
- Act on frustrations when they’re small. Explain what you want before getting angry that you don’t have it.
- Make an action plan. If you don’t plan to do something, let it go. Gossip is discouraging.
#4. Encourage someone.
Your needs reveal what others may need. Quiet the voice that keeps whispering, “What about me?”
When you show up, ask, “What about them?”
Discouragement wins when you build walls, pull back, and think only of yourself.
#5. Find a point of clarity.
Persistent ambiguity and relentless confusion discourage the best of us.
- Solve a small challenge.
- Reconnect with purpose. What’s your big WHY?
People who lose sight of purpose lose vitality.
#6. Do your best to focus on things you do best.
Your inner critic is boldest when you feel weakest.
Weaknesses clamor for attention. “Look at me! Fix me!” But success is found in leveraging strengths.
#7. Learn something.
- Read.
- Listen to a podcast.
- Ask, “What are you learning?”
“Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” Dale Carnegie
How might leaders defeat discouragement?
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Xiaofang.
Thanks, Dan. This is very helpful in giving structure and moving feelings into action steps. If I stop reading and refreshing my mind, discouragement happens more frequently. Everything looks worse when one is in the dark, cold, and tired.
Thanks McSteve. Yes, keep fueling the tank. One reason we start running down is we aren’t pouring fuel in the tank.
Dan,
Thanks for your posts yesterday and today. I’m going through a rough leadership patch and have needed your encouragement!
Thanks Greta. Best for the journey.
Thanks Dan, really enjoy reading your posts – you’re making a difference!
Thanks Clyde!
Remembering its about them and not I/us, without them we don’t exist, acknowledge we are them.
Thanks Tim. “We are them…” Yes. Sometimes being blue is the result of thinking we’re special and that we deserve more or better.
I think I took that in a little different direction than you might have intended. 🙂
Great points Dan.
When one is down in the “valley” (discouragement) looking after one’s health is still important as what we eat affects how we feel mentally and physically. Reaching for junk food and stimulants to make one cope with discouragement is a bad idea.
‘success begins with healthy food, restful sleep, and moderate exercise’. Information as old as the hills, but so true. But, enthusiasm is the fuel that keeps you going. 🙂
My favorite take away is the advice to encourage someone else when you feel discouraged. I can’t express how important it is to share those aspects of lack that you feel you are not getting for yourself. If a leader is feeling sad, do something to make someone in your organization happy. I guarantee a smile will be on your face as you watch others’ joyful moments. Finding ones true self is the best part on this journey to leadership.
Once again your post came at just the right time! Thanks so much