Hey 2020….Are you done yet?

Is it possible to find peace in 2020?

What's happening in our world is a massive wake up call. We are at a choice point.

Do we want more of the same or is it time to choose a brighter future?

As we rise up collectively, we CAN create change. We WILL create change.

It must be more than our words. It will also take courage and continuous, committed action.

This means not only getting mad/sad/heartbroken from the safety of our comfy seat in the living room, but also taking a stand and being part of the solution to create the future you/me/we want to see and live in. 

Personal responsibility = self leadership. The best leaders are masters at self leadership.

Leadership today looks much different than it has in the past. It must be different. A new day requires new skill sets and new ways to lead. We are all leaders, regardless of title.

Imagine a world where we all took personal responsibility to lead our self. To rise up in our own leadership and live life as our best version.

So many people out there trying to be right. Fighting to be right. What if we stopped and listened? Listened to understand. Listened to learn. Got curious and asked questions. Maybe, there is another way. And because you are fighting so hard to be right, you can’t see it. What if?

I spent the first 45 years of my life “asleep”. A robot. I went through the motions. I did what I thought I was supposed to do; what I was programmed to do, to say and to believe. Thought I knew it all and was too worried about what others thought and judging those who didn't think or act like me. I was unaware. Sleeping. Unconscious. So incredibly unconscious.

My ego told me otherwise. My ego would tell me I did all the right things…. I had the career, the title, the six figures and all the “things”. It all looked perfect on paper from the outside, while inside I was stuck, lonely and lost. I worked hard and wore a lot of masks to cover it up and keep everything "perfect", unable to see or hear another way. It was exhausting.

Are you tired of trying to keep it all together?

What if? What if there is another way?

I tell you this because I know I am not alone. I hear these same words every day from leaders and teams I work with. Leaders going through the motions so busy with the current chaos of reality, they are blocked from the possibility that life doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, life gets to be easy, peaceful and fun, even in the face of adversity and pain.

My “wake up call” came when I got the call one Sunday morning from my adult daughter, who at 24, was at her bottom from addiction to drugs and alcohol. It’s crazy how in the blink of an eye, all of the material items, fancy things and powerful titles don’t mean crap anymore. Her addiction was happening in front of my eyes and I was so wrapped up in the rat race, I didn’t see it.

#momguilt #wakeupcall

It’s been 5 years and today she is sober, healthy, and thriving in her life. The moment she surrendered, she took personal responsibility. At the same time she went to rehab 5 years ago, I also started my own journey to find answers. As it turns out, it was a journey home for me, as well. And, it started the moment I took personal responsibility and opened up space to dream of another way. 

Responsibility for the thoughts in my head and words I’d say to others. Responsibility for my actions, my reactions and my behavior. Basically, it was a journey to reprogram, physically, mentally and emotionally. In the process of it all, I found my leadership. I found my voice. I found my passion and my purpose.

What I lost was 50 lbs and a whole lot of pent up emotional baggage and toxic beliefs. I would never have gone down that path, nor taken the time to self develop like that if I had not “woken up” and taken personal responsibility for how I was showing up in my life. My life, personally and professionally was not working and it was my wake up call.

I woke up to the fact that I could choose to spend my time and energy in victim, judgement and unhappy OR I could choose to spend my precious time and energy on BEing the person I said I wanted to be; happy, healthy and peaceful.

It was/is a game changer and made me realize when I take personal responsibility, get REALLY honest with myself and face my own sh*&, the possibilities that exist are beyond measure.

Self leadership is the secret sauce to a bright future. I guarantee it!

What are you pretending not to know? What does getting honest with yourself look like?

Here's how this comes together. As I rise in my self leadership (it’s a lifelong journey), I understand that life is not about me. Like literally, at all. I’m pretty sure back in the day, I literally thought the universe did in fact, revolve around me.

Turns out, leadership is about rising the conscious collective and my ONLY role is to focus OUT and serve. When I let go of control for what I think the outcome should look like and hold myself (and my TEAM) accountable walk the talk and LIVE it, I show up as my best self and leader.

This work should be in every school from day 1. Imagine a world where each individual is programmed (taught) and empowered with personal responsibility and a growth, leadership mindset from childhood. A world where power, greed, competition and judgement do not exist and where ALL humans rise each other up and honor each other.

A world with no divide. That is the world I want to live in. Fighting for this world means starting with the person in the mirror.

Why are we not doing everything we can to raise children and operate as adults like this?

Why do we keep repeating generation after generation of toxic patterns and programming?

Personal responsibility is a choice. Based on what is happening in this world in this very moment, we no longer can afford to bury our head in the sand or pretend. The stakes have never been higher. We all get to rise in our self leadership.

Personal responsibility (self leadership) is a choice. In every moment, every decision there is choice:

·      A choice to choose light vs dark

·      A choice to choose good vs evil

·      A choice to choose right vs wrong

·      A choice to choose love vs hate

You can not have both. It is one or the other. It’s a choice. And, every choice we make, leads to our reality. Collectively, when ALL those choices get put together, it paves our collective future and charts our collective history.

Your choices matter. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

Personal responsibility is a choice that leads to the greater good.

What are you choosing in this moment? What will you choose for your/our future?

Your leadership is needed. It matters.

If you are ready to take your leadership and/or your TEAM to the next level and explore personal responsibility and self leadership, connect and let's talk!

I have several programs to support you. There has never been a more important time to rise in your leadership. The world needs you.

In love, light and leadership;

Tina Paulus-Krause

True You Teams

trueyouteams.com

[email protected]

For daily tips and resources, check out the Your Leadership Legacy Podcast on Apple and Spotify and make sure to follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn!