Several years ago, I was invited to be a guest on a radio show. It was my first radio show interview, and I was nervous. I had to drive to the station, put on headphones, talk into a microphone, and it was LIVE. On my way there, I wondered whether I would be able to draw from this experience going forward, or was it simply something I said yes to “just because?”

As I drove to the radio station, I challenged myself to decide whether my glass was half empty or half full. Should I turn around (which, admittedly, would not have been leadership-like), or should I forge ahead and march into the unknown?

Being a leader does not mean you are exempt from doubt or fear.I forged ahead. When I got to the studio, I listened carefully to the host’s directions and advice. I was instructed to remove my bracelets and necklace, so they did not rattle, speak slowly and directly into the microphone, and have fun. It sounded rather doable!

I was told I would be on the air for ten minutes. While I was waiting, I listened in to the guest before me who spoke not only for her ten minutes but also for eight-and-a-half of mine. The producer informed me I would have just ninety seconds to speak. After the show, he told me I said more in ninety seconds than other people say in ninety minutes, and he asked me back. After my next visit, I was offered my own radio show—and my radio career was born.

Meanwhile, I was given a recording of my first ninety seconds on air to use in my business, along with photos of me that I now use on my own radio show. If that were not enough, the sound engineer just happened to be someone with major connections that led to my first book signing at Barnes & Noble. My glass was more than half full, and I remain grateful I did not turn around during those fleeting moments of uncertainty.

Being a leader does not mean you are exempt from doubt or fear. You are human, after all. But leaders develop the discipline to manage their concerns and redirect to a grounded, positive mindset.

Here are some ways you can foster and maintain a positive mindset.

  1. Reflect on your life. Is your life worth thirty minutes of quiet time every day? I would say so. Many people do this first thing in the morning, before getting on their computer or phone. Consider this part of your day as important as your most important meeting. You are meeting with the most important person in your life, YOU! Think about where you are, your potential, and whatever else sheds light on where you are heading. Let your imagination run as wild as it did when you were a child. Be open to your wisdom.
  2. Incorporate daily affirmations. Create or collect inspiring messages to read each morning to align yourself with positive outcomes. When my children were little, we had an Affirmation Jar, and each morning they would read one to start their day with an encouraging thought and a smile.
  3. Do what motivates you. Find a few things that make you feel better and start doing them. I love music, and it definitely motivates me to start moving. This, in turn, inspires me to dance around the house, which puts me in a great mood and ready to tackle the day. Exercising on a regular basis can help keep you motivated and positive. You are doing something for yourself, and the results will be evident in more ways than one.
  4. Visualize. Take time to imagine and actually feel yourself accomplishing what you want. Instead of casting it off to the future with “I will” or “I want,” picture and sense exactly what you desire using the words “I am” and “I have.” This is a powerful way to invite your dreams and goals into your life.
  5. Speak with optimism. Do you ever mutter to yourself or even have a full-blown conversation with yourself that is anything but positive? If so, you must let go of those tired tapes running through your brain or that internal voice that brings you down. This applies equally to what you say out loud to others. Words do matter and once you say something, you cannot take it back. When someone asks how you are, do not be a Debbie Downer and give a long “woe is me” reply. Many years ago, I rented office space from an amazing man. Each morning he walked around the building greeting everyone and asking how we were that day. Whenever someone asked him how he was, he would reply, “I am amazing.” At first that struck me as odd, but I grew to appreciate that it was not only how he started his day, it was also how he continued his day, and it defined how others thought of him. He was powerful in his own right as well as in terms of his positive impact on those around him.

Remember this… A negative thinker sees the difficulty in every opportunity. A positive thinker sees an opportunity in every difficulty ~ Author Unknown

 

Photo by WillSpirit SBLN on Unsplash

 

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