Setback or Comeback

Sometimes it feels like life just isn’t fair. We try really hard, we follow societal standards and guidelines, we don’t break any rules, and we still have a feeling of coming up short. We could sell our story as the next box office drama or donate it to Nashville for a good country song.

Setbacks are a part of life. Disappointments happen and backup plans fail. So often we view others as having it better, we feel they got lucky, or they have family money. Some of this may be true but we still have choices. We can choose to let life happen to us, or we can make it happen for us. We can simply survive in the threat of more setbacks, or we can thrive in the reality of comebacks.

Leave setbacks in the past, move forward with what you have learned, create your way, and find your path.

Are you thriving, or just surviving?

- DEG

Backwards Energy

“Never look back” this and other mantra’s seem almost commonplace in our lives. Everyone who has had a rough day, a rough week, or some on-going difficulty has often heard this or similar advice. It’s good advice.

 

In some cases looking back can give us energy. We find comfort in things that are familiar; we fondly remember happy moments with friends and family, moments of inspiration and happiness. We draw energy from those positive moments of the past. Here are a few examples:

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that song, it was so great to hear it again.”

“I haven’t been here [a place] in years, I forgot how awesome it is here.”

“It’s been awhile since my last workout, wow that felt good.”

Reflecting on past successes, past moments of happiness and inspiration help us build positive hope for the future. Make today a day you look back, not at the moments that bring you down, but at the moments that brought you up. There are more of those in your future, you control your destiny and you can make it happen!

 What is your energizing memory?

- DEG

Visibility vs. Credibility

Many leaders contemplate how visible they are in the scope of their area of influence. Have you considered visibility as compared to credibility? Both visibility and credibility are recognized as forms of positive influence or power in leadership roles. Visibility results from behaviors that are physically visible, typically considered to be external attributes. Credibility on the other hand results from behaviors that give a person influence and are typically considered internal attributes.

As leaders the goal should be to master the art of being both seen and heard. Be both visible and credible. Successful leaders master behaviors that allow them to be both physically seen by others and have appropriate influence on others. Leaders who master the balance of visibility and credibility are trusted and believed in by others.

How visible and credible are you in the scope of your leadership role?