Comp. Leadership Self-Assessment PDF - measure yourself on 7 levels of success: http://t.co/rD8DY6XA
I like to focus on the Solstice this time of year because it's universal. And also because it's primal so we can use it as a touchstone for our own processes.
The Winter Solstice is the turning point between the days getting darker and lighter. Our ancestors celebrated their faith in the return of the light and they also celebrated the fertility of darkness and that's an interesting vantage point for lookng at our professional lives.
Here is a 4 step path for using the natural rhythm of the season to enlighten your career path:
1. Make a list of everything that's worth celebrating in your work - little and big things, personal and professional. What's wonderful, awesome, beautiful, miraculous, amazing...?
Tell at least 3 people something really good.
2. What's not working? This is a good time of year to allow what feels dark to emerge in your consciousness. Most of us are trained that, especially now, we have to make merry. But happingess is on shaky ground if you're afraid of the dark. Go ahead - take the risk to fall into the worry, the pain, the problems, the unmet desires and expectations that bother you. Give yourself some solid soul searching time. It may not be the sexiest gift you get this year, but taking time to go deeply into your pain will ultimately give you powerful content for moving forward as well as a breakthrough in just facing fear and pain.
Just like seeds have to fall apart in dark soil to create plant life, sometimes we have to risk falling apart to create our best next steps. It may be time for a complete metamorphysis: there is literally nothing left of caterpiillar cells after it transforms to a butterfly. Or it may be time to let old skin go like a snake sheds to make way for growth.
3. Take note of themes from steps 1 & 2.
What do you value most about what's good?
What wisdom can you glean from exploring your pain points? When you dare to dive deep, you'll discover what you really care about because you wouldn't feel that bad if you didn't care. You'll also find wisdom that can only be found in darkness. By combining that insight with the positive, you'll establish fertile ground for realizing your vision.
When you look at both the light and the dark in balance with one another, it will give you insight into and access to your creative spark. Just like sparks in a wall, when positive and negative charges connect, energy happens. Take time to daydream about what you really want to juice and about what really juices you. Write it down, explore it, daydream, pray, laugh, walk, dance, sing or moan about it but express your creative urge.
What would it take to create excellence with your creativity? How can you stoke your creative vitality? What gift can you give yourself to upgrade and maintain access to your creative flow?
4. How can you make a difference? What good can you do? How can you contribute your gifts toward creating a more compassionate and just world? Give, give, give - 'tis the season now but this isn't a seasonal step. Full spectrum leaders use what they've got to create healthy bottom lines and they also contribute toward a better world.
As we settle into the darkest days, what would you like the light to bring and what light would you like to bring forward?
