With 40-50% of new year resolutions already broken by the end of January, where is the hope we are thinking?

 If our habits truly establish our identity and if we need to be intentional to change our habits, what does that mean?  

Well let’s start with our struggle to get enough sleep.  If we believe what our Aura or watch indicates about the quality of our sleep every night, then, why are we not getting better sleep?  Of course, it is not that simple!  Underneath the behavior that becomes a habit is the belief that better sleep really contributes to better health and better focus and performance at work.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 7 hours of sleep per night as adults. We have to believe that the little health habits that we make choices about every day can have a big impact on our overall health, well-being and performance.

Well, what do you know, this is also true about leadership.  In a world where technology has surpassed our human capabilities, and we are experiencing increasing pressure to keep pace with the rate of change, a lot of our focus on the leadership of people can take a back seat.

What are the habits we have today that we would like to change, but have not stopped to reflect on our beliefs? Are you in need of developing new leadership mindsets and habits that are sustainable well into the new year?  A few examples:

Feeling Overwhelmed: If, we really believed that the simple habit of taking a few minutes to pray or meditate to center ourselves before work and at lunch would reduce stress and overwhelm, we would engage in new habits.. The impact on our team – we are more available to lead and support them when we are not as stressed and overwhelmed.

Losing Focus on Priorities: If, we really believed that setting priorities at the end of the day would allow us to go home, unplug, be refreshed and get more accomplished when focused the next day, we would make the time. Research from the National Library of Medicine reinforces this—during a two-week study, employees who created clear daily task lists and priorities showed significantly higher engagement and performance than on days they did not plan.  The impact on our team is meaningful– we are modeling enduring focus and more likely to be available to help them focus, and achieve more.

Lacking Positivity: If, we really believed that intentionally planning to start every meeting on a positive and to end it on a high note, would boost productivity and increase positivity among the team, then, this may be a habit worth pursuing. 

Poor Listening: If, we really believed that the most motivating moment of everyone’s day is to be fully listened to and it helps others feel valued and appreciated, then, oh my, we would slow down and listen!  We would seek to understand rather than to reply based on the priority of the moment.  When we deeply listen, we learn from what is said and not said to show care about the whole person that comes to work every day.  Is this person feeling stressed, isolated, or overwhelmed and do we care enough to see the person behind the performance we need from them?

What are the habits you would like to change?  What are your real beliefs and what mindsets would you need to embrace to change the small leadership habits that are creating a big impression about who you are and what you value as a leader?

If, we are all a work in progress, then, we are capable of reinventing our leadership identity in small and then big ways in the new year.