Enthusiastic about returning to study, exiting a business after six years of operation, and transitioning to a new career, there’s a definite feeling of Spring in the air!🌷

I’m about to experiment being in learning mode (Heslin 2024) for a week. Aiming to strengthen mindful awareness, and transform my leadership identity and reputation, I’ve decided it may take 1,000 hours to master this skill.

I plan to do this by breathing. 🧘‍♀️

It sounds really simple, but trust me, after a decade-long journey of pursuing meditation to soothe dysfunctional habits, it takes practice. Deliberate practice shifts feelings, thoughts and behaviours.

💡The turning point, and aha moment, happened this week whilst tuning into Herminia Ibarra’s TED Talk (2018) on the authenticity paradox.

The concept “what got you here, won’t get you there”, by Marshall Goldsmith (2007), noted in the talk, suggests that present day leadership traits or identity may not get you to your desired future self. At this inflection point, a shift must happen.

The cognitive distortions, often fuelled by a fixed mindset, need to be replaced by a growth mindset (Dweck 2006). And you need to cultivate future-state virtues to propel you forward.

I identified that anxiety fuels emotional dysregulation. Several major crucibles in my life story resulted in a constant state of fight/flight/freeze.

Knowing this is a character weakness, and understanding that neuroplasticity and a growth mindset can shift the state, I’m ready for transformation. ⚡️

As the seasons change, experimenting with leadership models and learning strategies helps create a shift from “here” to “there”.

And as Clear (n.d.) states:

“Many things in life go through phases. It can be like the seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. Each season has its own set of needs and demands. Think about something important to you. Maybe it’s a project or a job. Perhaps a hobby or even a relationship. What season are you in right now and what does that season require?”

☀️🍂❄️🌷I invite you to share the season you’re in, and one action you’re taking right now to support yourself to thrive. Join the conversation in the comments below.

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REFERENCES:

Clear, J n.d., The 3-2-1 Newsletter, James Clear website, accessed 6 September 2024, <https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1>.

Dweck, C S 2006, Mindset: The new psychology of success, Random House, New York.

Goldsmith, M 2007, What got you here won’t get you there: How successful people become even more successful, Hyperion, New York.

Heslin, P 2024, ‘Being in learning mode’, AGSM @ UNSW Business School, UNSW Sydney, pp. 1–16. 

TEDx Talks 2018, ‘The authenticity paradox | Professor Herminia Ibarra’, 28 June [16:53], accessed 6 September 2024, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIjI3TmEzrs>.