Three Words: A Day in the Life Sunday

For a few years now, I've selected three words to provide focus and guide my decisions over the coming months. The three words that informed my decisions and actions in 2013 were story, flow and tribe.

Reflecting back on 2013, there was a consulting gig I accepted and a speaking engagement I declined; a commitment I made to myself to improve my health; a decision to join CrossFit and change the way I eat; less writing about things that did not call to me (which left a void I unfortunately did not fill);  more looks at who my real friends are (I've got some rocking friends, by the way) and the booking of THE 2014 Rosendahl European Vacation.

So what three words will inform story. flow. tribe for me in 2014?

do.

Do will get the bulk of my attention in 2014.  It’s a simple word which compels me to act on what needs to be done each day.  The time and effort I spend preparing will only serve me if it is followed by action. Do represents this.

While this word sounds more focused on work efforts, that is only partly true. Often what needs to be done is as simple (or not so simple) as enjoying time with my family or my friends.  Interestingly, if I do what needs to be done with work, I have time to do things with my family.

be. 

Be is another simple word that holds me accountable for being present in the moment, for giving my attention to the other people in the room and for getting out of my head and into the world around me. Be tells me to relax and be myself without excuses and apology (the good, the bad and the ugly) and notice when I am grounded and at ease vs. uneasy and ineffective. I am at my best when I stay true to myself.

messy.

A friend recently wrote that she loves her big, beautiful, messy life. Messy? Shivers. My life is designed to eliminate mess by insisting on a planned, predictable order. A fully thought out mess free routine? I've got that baby down to a science.

It's time for a little mess in my life. While this word can denote chaos, it won't with me. I can't change completely but I will permit some mess, say "yes" before the "no" comes barreling out to opportunities outside of my comfort zone and reach out to others to ask for help.

do. be. messy.

What do you think? What words guide you?

Note: Do was stolen shamelessly from Rob Hatch because when I read his words, it was as though he was reading my mind.

By Lisa Rosendahl

A Leadership Idea: Grow Up and Lead

What started as a leadership rant for me is developing into an transforming idea: it's easy to lead when things are going well and a leader is on top but it’s what leaders choose to do when they are at the bottom that defines them.

People are unique. Leadership experiences are too. You are responsible for yours.

Photo credit: iStockphoto

With this as my premise, I developed a manifesto. About this time last year, you voted my manifesto into the ranks of ChangeThis. The dedicated team at ChangeThis has been working away since then preparing over 190 manifestos for publication and now, it's my turn.

My manifesto, Grow Up and Lead, is live!

It's a work in progress. Even now, I can see how my thoughts have evolved since this first writing. It was difficult to not to take pen to paper and rewrite the whole thing but I wanted to remember where and how it all started.

Ideas come, ideas go and every now and then, I'll see an idea that stops me in my tracks. When it does, it's the perspective or the way the idea is nuanced that resonates with me. If an idea helps me re-frame an assumption or recognize a hidden belief, I am hooked. At the very least, presented well, an idea can be very entertaining.

Take a look at my manifesto and tell me what you think. What resonated with you and what fell flat? Where can I develop it further and where did I get off track? What did I miss? What would you add?

Ideas can define or destroy you.  I vote for define.

By Lisa Rosendahl