Leadership is not easy and comes with its share of pressure. When there are so many obligations, demands, phone calls, texts, emails, financial obligations, and people that need your time and energy it can become mentally and emotionally draining. There is even more stretching of yourself if you have to balance a family and full time job on top of your leadership role. Then there is the pressure... This is the "silent source of all of your stress." What pressure you may ask?
Well, the pressure of letting everyone down and feeling like you have failed them. Many leaders feel that letting others down is the biggest pressure. However, I actually believe that for leaders the idea of letting themselves down is the biggest pressure. This idea of letting others down is very real, but I think it's wrapped up in the idea of letting yourself down.
In many cases great leaders are their own toughest critic. That's why great leaders find it easy to be critical of others because they are even more critical of themselves They are always asking what could I do better? What could I do differently? Would others lives be worse or negatively impacted If I give up or fail? For leaders these thoughts are very hard to live with.
There are not many great leaders that don't think about quitting on a weekly basis. What is interesting is that I believe that what keeps them from quitting in many cases is that they cant bare to deal with looking themselves in the mirror and knowing they let themselves down. The truth is leaders can always do something different and everyone elses life will go on just fine even if they stop leading tomorrow.
But you cant escape yourself. You can get beyond your own thoughts of what could have been or what you cold have done differently.
Leaders have to live with themselves each second of every day. Imagine that. Living with the thoughts of your own toughest critic each second of the day. That's scary.. Thats why leaders must learn how to lead in a way that is healthy for the mind, body, and spirit and not wrapped up in the guilt and pressure of failing yourself.
Here are 5 ways to deal with pressure as a leader.
1) Delegate - Now this is easier said than done but the honest truth is if leaders don't delegate they will burn out. Find people to do the small tasks that take up time and energy that you could be spending on something else. There is only so much of you to go around.
2) Find A Healthy Outlet - When leaders are on the verge of burnout they often flirt with "the dark side of self soothing". This can be in the form of anything from negative relationships to substance abuse. Leaders must be intentional about finding outlets like time with family, sporting events, or just rest in bed to avoid burnout.
3) Take The Pressure off Yourself - Most great leaders have something within them that says "I can handle it, I can do it, I don't need any help, I've got it all under control". These types of thoughts create doorways for leaders to take on more pressure. Leaders must admit when they need help and when they feel overwhelmed. People won't know you need help until you tell them.
4) Get Therapy - Getting therapy doesn't make you a weak leader or "crazy". It means you need someone to talk to that has no other desire than to hear you and help you. This is probably one of the best things a leader can do. Find someone professionally to talk to. Most leaders cant tell others their problems because in many cases these are the same people that depend on them for strength. Find someone to talk to that has no other role in your life other than to offer a listening ear and helpful feedback.
5) Prayer and Meditation - This should not be overlooked. To lead well I believe there must be a balance of the spirit with the demands of your life. Prayer and mediation give you the spiritual focus to help you handle your daily needs. Spend time each day in meditation and reflection on why you chose to lead and how you can continue to lead from a healthy place. At the end of the day it is the condition of your spirit that will help you lead in a healthy way.
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