As an executive coach, I am quite privileged to work with senior executives, middle managers and bright and eager millennials. This group of eclectic and talented individuals is honest and forthright with me.
Their shared experiences have provided me with insight and a greater awareness for the human spirit. As we all strive to grow to our full human height, I view my role as a coach is to stoke the flame of greatness and goodness in others. It is an honor to perpetuate the values of human dignity, integrity and compassion, which leads to a common condition that this group of ambitious and talented individuals encounter each day. In fact, all of us do, in today’s technological culture – it’s the lack of “Me Time.”
We are all busier and busier. Our days are jammed full of meetings, conference calls and a huge number of emails to read and respond to. As human beings we all need moments of reflection, renewal and quiet communication with ourselves.
Let’s face it when we wake up and immediately reach for the smartphone, the day and the race begins. Perhaps it is time to revisit the true value of time to think and time to be alone. We are all controlled by technology. As such, we do not make time for ourselves.
The time is now! Make an appointment with yourself. With busy days and schedules, making time to be alone is, of course, difficult. Thinking time and periods of silence and solitude are good for the soul. Stillness and quiet are a blessing and give us peace. Solitude has many benefits. It allows us to look inward, introspection.
It is a special place, where we come in touch with what really is important to us, and our personal vision of who we really are. It also allows us to contemplate our hearts’ desires. Italian author Tiziano Terzani wrote, “It’s not how far you have traveled, it’s what you’ve brought back.”
It is rewarding thinking about and cultivating the virtues of caring, sensitivity, compassion, character, gratitude and courage.
Take professional and personal action. Set aside time and make a date with yourself. Find an uplifting place, turn off your smartphone and permit yourself to feel and express gratitude for the people you love, your home and the people you care about.
The truth is, overworking and stress slows our productivity. It is ok to take a vacation and to recharge. Relaxing living is good for our health and has a positive effect on work performance.
One of the dangers we all confront is thinking that letting our fingers dance over a keyboard or thumbing our smartphones amounts to being engaged in life. To be actively “involved” with others and by spending time in reflection, guides us to dig deep within ourselves and to discover who we really are. By coming into real contact with ourselves, we have the ability to improve and to gain wisdom.
The time is right for you to make the choice to empower yourself and to enrich your life. By making “Me Time,” you are giving yourself a gift. Take the time to answer the following questions:
• What is important to you?
• What are your professional and personal goals?
• What brings you joy and peace of mind?
• What can you do to improve your quality of living?
• What steps can you take to become your authentic self?
• What can you do to live a healthier life?
By making an appointment with yourself, you will view your vision with greater clarity, refuel your passion and improve your perception of yourself and others. Return from the meeting with reviewed hope and conviction and to find a greater balance in life. Consider what are your deepest passions. What do you want for life? What are things you truly value?
A Call for Action
Each month make an appointment with yourself. You will find the experience to be insightful, invigorating and helpful to define your realistic purpose. After the meeting, I think you will agree – you are good company!
To quote William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus,” “I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.”
