How To Use “Seasons” To Make You A Better Leader

This is Part 2 of a series.

Don’t sleep on summer.

It is a season that you can use to replenish your work projects, refresh stale relationships, and complete what you started in winter.

I will just about take summer any way that you give it to me: blue skies, hot weather, beach days, boating and fabulous sunnies (sunglasses).

The summers in our lives, especially if our life is 80% career focused, are pretty much just as inviting.

You are free from the extra layers of clothes that winter brings. You feel lighter and even weightless at times. Your cup may be running over financially, your career, love life, family and friends and health may all be in order, too. You may be in such a good place that not only are you able to buy the $5 lattes (which I still would not recommend doing every day,) but you just may be in a position to actually buy multiple shares of company stock who makes it.

You may also have the energy, strength and time to dedicate to doing something other than work. If this is the case, consider lending your time, resources and talents to worthy initiatives and causes.

Let me pause here and make an important statement.

I have also found incredible value in volunteering during “dry” seasons. Something about it lifts your spirit and encourages you to keep going. I experienced great relief many days, doing for others who could not do for me. However, you have to determine the climate that you are in. If you are pulling extra hours at work trying to make ends meet, working on a start-up venture, or are a single or married mom with active kids, you may be limited in the amount of hours that you can give. Perhaps a once a month visit to a local shelter serving the homeless may suffice until you shift gears. You be the judge.

Now back to summer. This season is wonderful, complete with baskets of ripe produce and the feeling of being on top of the world, but again, do not fall off spiritually. Life has a way of throwing snow balls- even in warm seasons, so stay on guard.

Fall

This season is so amazing that it actually has more than one name. It is also, affectionately called autumn and harvest time. The latter being my favorite.

This is the season where you may want to glean your field, collecting bushels of crops and baskets of bountiful harvest.  You want to relish those quick wins, and sink into your new corner office.

Be smart though! Do not be fooled by the plenty. Set a plan to collect and save for winter season, while sipping on a pumpkin latte (that you made at home this time). And though you are being mindful, you should absolutely take time to bask in the rewards of your efforts.

Depending upon where you are, this may be the right time to take the lavish trip, buy the new car, or to even start building your dream home. It is important to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You earned it.

Buy the shoes, go on the mental health get-a-way with friends or invest in a spa day. And do not forget that you are blessed to be a blessing, so be sure to write the check and give of your time if you are able to, to those less fortunate than yourself.

Also, stay in step and keep a solid routine to remain on track. Be wise in this season, as it can prove to be the most difficult with so much activity. When all is well, you are susceptible to letting your guard down. Be on alert. Challenges are an unavoidable part of life, despite your winning season.

Figuring out the season that you are in is crucial to your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health to operate at 100 – anywhere.

If you operate out-of-season, it can bring unnecessary heartache and pain. Remember: In lean seasons, make a budget and spend wisely. Retain your strength and energy to fight the mental battles that droughts often bring; be it health, family issues or finances. In times of plenty, give more of your resources and talent.

It is also important to note that seasons can overlap. You may be experiencing winter in your health and summer in your finances, so adjust accordingly. You may have to rest more and implement a healthier lifestyle, while splurging a little more on some of your favorite items. Exercise wisdom.

If you are having difficulty identifying your current season, ask the 3 closest individuals around you after reading this, to help you make that determination.

And regardless of what season you find yourself as a boss, CEO, manager, know that you are a winner taking charge of your life.

Read part 1 here.

To learn more about Candace Boggan, please follow her at @candacetravels on Instragram

Originally posted 2018-02-06 15:48:19.