The New Crop: Issue #106
what does your life intend for you? + "how to lead through disaster"
What’s in this issue:
💭 Thought: What does your life intend for you?
📚 Read: How to Lead Through Disaster
😀 Today’s Smile
Yep, if you’re reading closely, you’ve caught that I changed the title of this section from “Today’s Laugh” to “Today’s Smile”. 😉 I noticed that I felt pressure to find something laughter-inducing every week, when really what I’m after here is finding something that might bring a smile to your face.
This section going forward might include an image, video, story, or idea for an activity you can do. Hope you enjoy!
Here’s today’s activity:
Text someone a memory you love that involves them (you’ll probably make both of you smile)
💭 Today’s Thought
Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.
- Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak
Consider that you likely don’t need to look too far to better understand the purpose for your life, or the values that guide it…
For example, bring to mind one or two times in your life when you’ve felt truly alive — times when you felt an energy coursing through you that felt powerful, natural, and “right”. Keep in mind the energy need not feel positive.
Alternatively, think about recurring patterns and circumstances that show up in your life.
In these examples, your life has a message for you. It’s trying to tell you something about what it intends for you — about who you already are and what you can contribute.
It’s not too late to hear the message. As you relive these events in your memory, ask your life, “What is it that you want me to know?”
Listen for the answer.
And a challenge: over the next 2 weeks, pay attention to moments when you either feel a sense of deep resonance or dissonance, or notice one of those recurring patterns pop up again. Ask yourself: what might my life be wanting for me?
🖊️ Today’s Reflection
If you’re new to journaling, I highly encourage you to read Nancy Adler’s article: Want to be an outstanding leader? Keep a journal.
This week, find a quiet place and gift yourself 10 minutes to reflect on any of these prompts (or invent your own!):
What stories do you tell yourself that keep you from living your values?
What’s a question that you’re really scared to know the answer to?
📚 Today’s Read
In this article, Executive Coach Jerry Colonna asks and answers the question, “Is it possible to lead when things feel hopeless?” Click here to read more, and get practical tips for how to lead your teams when all the walls feel like they’re crumbling down.
See you next week!
xo,
Anne