Whenever we travel by plane, every pre-flight safety check tells us exactly the same thing: “In the event of an emergency…
… put on your own oxygen mask, secure it, and breathe normally before helping others with theirs.”
This is also useful advice during this time of change: we will become more effective in achieving our goals if we remember to “put on our own oxygen mask first.”
Doing this involves three stages, Centre, Ground, and Deepen:
- Put on the mask: Centre
This means letting go of any inner churning we might be experiencing, calming ourselves, and refocusing on the present moment. - Secure the mask: Ground
This means reconnecting strongly with what matters most to us and who we are at our best. - Breathe normally: Deepen
This means strengthening the relationship we have with ourselves, to build a deeper connection with ourselves and our own priorities.
If we don’t take the time to put on our own oxygen masks during an emergency on a plane we are likely to find ourselves struggling to breathe, before falling unconscious.
If we don’t take the time to Centre, Ground, and Deepen our connection with ourselves during these times of change we are likely to find ourselves reacting to events rather than responding do them and following other people’s priorities rather than shaping our own destiny.
Putting on our own oxygen mask is the essential first step towards anything we want to achieve. And although we won’t need to use our oxygen mask every time we fly, it is important that we know how to, just in case.
How calm do you remain in a crisis? What proportion of your time do you spend working on your own priorities rather than somebody else’s? Would it be useful to spend time to Centre, Ground, and Deepen your connection with what matters most to you and who you are at your best?
Adapted from Inner Leadership: a framework and tools for building inspiration in times of change.
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Photo By Miikka H via StockPholio.net