INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)
This is me taking in the famous “Hollywood” sign, from a well-positioned rooftop restaurant.
I was brunching here when I overheard a waitress saying, she looks at the sign as inspiration every day, because it’s her big dream as an aspiring actress – to “make it” on the big screen.
It got me thinking, what’s your “Hollywood” sign, that big dream you have, that big goal poised atop a high hill you wish upon?
My Hollywood sign would read, “Next level impact.” I dream of getting to a whole other level of impact globally as a self-leadership/leadership expert. Of broadening my platform for making a difference to bring insight to, and imprint upon, millions of people, including use of “at scale” mediums like Netflix. A dream to shoot for.
Your Hollywood sign doesn’t have to be a profound professional accomplishment. It just has to be you – something important to you, that gives you meaning (meaning starts with “me” for a reason), and the pursuit of which will bring you joy, even if you don’t achieve it, per se.
It could be, “True health.” That is, that you achieve happiness of mind, body, and spirit. Or it could be, “A mentor to sooo many.” And so on.
The point is to identify your own Hollywood sign, and keep it in view. Plenty of studies show that having a dream or a big goal directly correlates with a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life – even if you don’t achieve it. If you enjoy the pursuit, and the focus and sense of direction that dream gives you, you’ve already “won.”
I’d love to hear from you. What’s your Hollywood sign?
IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)
It’s so profoundly easy to get off track and lose focus – we all do it from time to time. Here’s a super simple reminder to help you stay focused, and prioritize well, relative to what matters most. It comes from legendary former Los Angeles Lakers basketball coach, Pat Riley; it’s his seven-word mantra. A mantra that, none other than LeBron James himself, has credited for helping him keep focus on what matters most:
Make the main thing, the main thing.
Ask yourself repeatedly, “What’s the most important thing here, and am I focused enough on moving that thing forward?”
IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)
I came across a brilliant thought for how to maintain balance when you’re on vacation, from LinkedIn employee and innovator, Jim Heid.
He employs this philosophy:
Dim, not dark.
Meaning, he doesn’t completely ignore his inbox on vacation – he deprioritizes it, checking it once or twice a day while responding to anything truly urgent. Heid reasons that completely unplugging isn’t always best:
“If my time off is a staycation – lots of dog training, friend visits, and zerotasking — then I don’t mind checking in each day to make sure there are no fires or that I’m ignoring people eager for an answer. I’d rather do that than come back to a depressingly full inbox. If I’m spending a few weeks on a tropical beach, that’s a different story: I’m outta here and I’ll see you when I get back. But otherwise, going dim but not dark still gives me a great respite from the daily grind — without coming back to be painfully reminded of why I needed the respite to begin with.”
Dim, not dark. What a bright idea.
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