Do you meet with yourself?

We’ve all heard the adage “work on the business not in the business”. The same idea applies to both life and leadership. Yes, it’s important to engage fully in our lives and our work, but when we fail to take the time to pull back and really consider what we are doing, how we are being, and why, we fail to learn or to set or shape our direction. And we can’t do this unless we become disciplined at creating and taking the time to think, but ensuring we meet with ourselves.

Four things we can do to make this happen:

1.      Examine and change beliefs

The only way we can ensure we take adequate time and energy to work ‘on’ instead of ‘in’ is to change our beliefs about what is important. If our belief is “I add the most value by being responsive to others” you’ll get a very different outcome than “I can only make the kind of impact I’m capable of if I take regular time to think about what I’m doing.”

2.      Make meeting with yourself a priority

For most of us, if we make a meeting with ourselves it is the first thing we are willing to move if a request from someone else comes in. If we are serious about making the kind of impact we know you’re capable of, then meeting with ourselves must be a priority.

3.      Generate a list of great questions

Great questions are the beginning of breakthroughs. But crafting new questions can be tiresome. Developing a list of questions and being disciplined about answering them whenever you meet with yourself can shortcut the process of learning. And for extra credit you may wish to create a list of daily questions to ensure you’re on track.

4.      Make it an event

Take yourself off to your favourite café, go and wander round the nearest park, take a walking meeting with the person you need to reflect with. Dedicate a journal to your thinking. Share your key-out-takes with your manager, coach or partner or accountability buddy.

Love to hear from anyone who has a successful practice of meeting with themselves!