It’s Not Them, It’s You

I’ve been talking a lot lately about moving with more intention. But there’s a specific layer to that intention that most people overlook: Conscious Awareness.

Specifically, how aware you are of your own presence when you’re in a room with other people.

It’s easy to get so caught up in your own head that you completely lose sight of how you’re impacting the people around you. When there’s a million things on your to-do list, it’s easy to shift into autopilot. You think you’re just getting things done, but to everyone else, you’re a whirlwind of reactive energy.

I, personally, have had to learn this the hard way. When I’m moving too fast, I’m not just messing up the details of a project. I’m also messing up my interactions. I’m snapping at partners. I’m closed off. I’m giving off the energy of a ticked off guy, who might as well be yelling, "Back off. Don't bother me."

That’s a lack of awareness. Buck luckily, that can be fixed by becoming a bit more conscious of your actions and your emotions. 

Conscious awareness requires holding up a mirror in real-time and asking yourself: 

How am I showing up right now?
Is my energy fueling the room or draining it?
Am I reacting based on my emotions or what’s actually happening?

If I walk into a meeting and I’m triggered, that’s on me. My actions and reactions are my responsibility. If I’m throwing off "McGregor" energy when the situation needs a monk, then I’m the one standing in the way of the project moving forward. 

Being peaceful and aware means having the discipline to check your ego at the door. It means realizing that your actions, your tone, and your pace have a ripple effect on your team, your business, and your family.

This week, try to catch yourself in the mirror. Don't just hastily run around for the sake of moving. Pay attention to the wake you’re leaving behind you.

-G aka The CAO (Chief Awareness Officer)

P.S. One of my goals this year is to do a quarterly speaking engagement. If you know of an opportunity, an event, or someone who would benefit from a story centered around resilience and transformation, I’d love an intro.

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