How do leaders recover from burnout? part #2

Once, maybe twice, in every life time there is a turning point. This is a point when you see the world differently, a point when you gain a new perspective. For me, becoming a father for the first time was one of these transformative life experiences.

My wife and I fell in love in college. Later, we worked at the same high school. As time passed, we got married and started a family. Once the baby was born and when my parental leave was used up, I went back to work.

At the end of each work day, I would do everything in my power to get home to be with our new born. While my wife had personal time, I would pick up our little bundle of joy, tuck him into the front baby carrier and just go for a walk. Just hours before I had been overwhelmed with the needs of the school and my teaching, but at the end of each day with him in the baby snuggly, I would just see the beauty of the world. I would walk to see the apple trees in the school orchard. I would walk to see the western sky and the setting sun as it hit the clouds. I would walk on the school prairie to wonder at the miracle of waves of grass blowing in the wind. All my worries and fears would melt away.

The miracles of the world were every where and I carried this little one to as many of them as I could. We shared the moment. We just shared the time and space together.

I still carry him and his younger brother in my heart each and every day. My challenge now is to remember to not loose touch with the miracles of this world that are still present each and every day. Now I have to go out and discover them again. I need to see the world and not let my challenges, fears and struggles define the world. I need to not let my burn out overwhelm my hope

As I have learned from the wise counsel of others, clarity of purpose can propel me forward through my challenges; my skills are often sharpened in times of challenge and difficulty; being humble is a powerful antidote to arrogance.

This week and for the rest of this month into the new year, I encourage you to adopt or re-kindle a new perspective in your life. It is the continual revelation that we are surrounded by miracles each and every day. It is time we open our eyes and see them. This is the blessing of this time we have together.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Count Your Blessings

This is one of my favorite times of the year. 

First, I love it when family comes pouring into the house. Seeing nieces and nephews, greeting new boy friends and girl friends, welcoming aunts and uncles. The blessing of all being together is quite special.

Second, when family all gather at the table to celebrate the Thanksgiving meal, I love the quiet pause for prayers before the meal. Here with heads bowed we are thankful for the bounty of the food, the gift of being together one more year, and the miracle of being a family. This is truly a moment when we are blessed. 

Finally, I love the time after the meal when all participate in the clean-up in the kitchen. As food is put away, special dishes are washed by hands and the table is cleared, the room is a buzz in multiple conversations. It is during these times that I come to understand that “work is love made visible”. And after such a grand meal, a bit of clean-up together, we always make room for pie and whipped cream!

My hope is that you are blessed beyond measure this week. Celebrate family, count your blessings every day, and, when possible eat more pie!

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

A Time To Remember & To Celebrate

With the arrival of the Winter Solstice on Wednesday, and Christmas this coming weekend, I step away from work and think about my late father-in-law, a man who was born on the farm where he lived for 94 years before his passing away earlier this year. Often, when we would visit around the holidays, he would share with me that on the morning of the Spring or Winter Solstice, he liked to go outside and watch the sunrise and later the sun set. He knew exactly where to look for each event given his deep connection to living on the same piece of land his entire life. Trees would grow and some would fall. Barns would be built and others would be taken down. Horses transitioned to tractors. The party line phone in the house transitioned to cell phones. But through it all, each winter and spring the sun would rise and the sun would set in the exact same pot.

He and I often talked about finding continuity in the midst of all the changes that happens in one’s life. And I realized recently, that for him and for my mother-in-law, the most powerful line of continuity was the creation of a loving family environment where everyone was welcomed and everyone was accepted just as they were. No judgements, no criticism - just unconditional love.

My hope for you and your family is that you can find or build that this week and for years to come. The sun will rise and the sun will set each day, but the love of family and community has the potential to transform the world.

During this holiday season, I hope you can discover in your heart the peace and love that transcends all things and embraces all things.

Many blessings to you and yours this week.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Happy Holidays

This morning I have been reflecting on my past year of traveling to be with all of you. In particular, I remember an experience I had one morning at the airport last spring. 

It was the first flight out in the morning as we slowly walked on to the plane. There was the stewardess greeting each of us sleepy heads off on another trip.

As I approached her, I said, “Good morning. How are you today?”

“I am well blessed,” was her reply.

Rather than the typical, “Fine”, or “Good,” she shared with me that she was “well blessed.” It was such a delightful surprise that I have carried her comment with me for a long time.

One of my many blessings is the opportunity to work with each of you. I am humbled by all that you have shared with me, and grateful beyond measure for the opportunity to be of support and service to each of you. Thank-you for letting me be a part of the important work you do.

My hope this special week is that you will rediscover the blessings in your life, and for you to be a blessing in some one else’s life. When we do this, it can be a transformative experience for all.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!  I look forward to when we visit next in the new year.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Happy Holidays!

This week, homes have been decorated. Special foods are being prepared.  Families are gathering. The miracles of this season can be seen all around us.

Today, I am deeply grateful for all the times we have visited together, learned together, and explored together during this interesting and complex year. I am humbled by all of you who have chosen to share with me your hopes, your fears, your joys, and your challenges.

My holiday wish is for everyone to recognize that they are dearly loved and cherished by many people, and that their life and their work does make a difference in this world.  If each of us can embrace this perspective, then we will realize that we do not have anything to fear about the future.

Much joy and many blessings to you and yours this holiday season. May it be one of your finest!

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Sustainability: Working and Living Through Constant Change - part #2

THEME: Fall 2009 From Vision to Action Executive Roundtable Report

FOCUS: Sustainability: Working and Living Through Constant Change - part #2

Monday morning: December 21, 2009

Dear friends,

As we move through this holiday season, I am reminded of the Third Law of Thermodynamics, namely as activity decreases, order increases. Our challenge this time of year is give ourselves the time and space to slow down and enjoy the moment. Rather than rushing through life, we need to engage more fully in the blessings of this season. That means we need to manage our energy, not just our time.

At the Fall 2009 From Vision to Action Executive Roundtable, I also reminded participants that in the realm of adaptation and evolution, we have to believe that our work is absolutely the right things to do at the moment we commit to it. But at the same time, we need to remain open to the possibility that we are dead wrong and have something to learn. As Yehudi Menuhin wrote, “The difference between a beginner and the master - is that the master practices a whole lot more.”

The art of leading and living is a continual discovery process. During this holiday season and in the new year, we have to rediscover the the joy of making choices. This coming year we will be presented with the opportunity to make many difficult choices. Still, we should not loose focus on the goal of improving what we do at both the operations and strategic levels. The true goal for those of us willing to lead is to keep learning and living in a healthy manner.

This is my last Monday Thoughts for 2009. I will start them up again in the New Year. Until then, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season filled with many blessings and much joy. Thank-you for including me in this important work.

Faithfully yours,

Geery

Geery Howe, M.A.
Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in
Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change

Morning Star Associates
319 - 643 - 2257