Leading Lightly

Choose a lens that helps you thrive

Instructions

Consistently challenge your core beliefs and assumptions
Write down your most important beliefs about yourself, money, work, family, and so on. Then ask yourself: Is the lens I’m currently using in this area of my life helping or impeding me? Did I intentionally choose this lens or is it a result of my upbringing and past experiences? If your current lens is impeding you, then reframe your mindset.
Develop a change mindset by reframing your thoughts
When a limiting thought enters your mind, change it immediately. For example, instead of thinking, “That’s just the way I am. I cannot change,” say, “That’s who I’ve been up until now. I can always change if I choose to.” Then focus on taking repeated action to change yourself.
Adopt a lens of positive expectancy
Examine the thoughts and beliefs that surround your expectations. Do you often expect good things to happen or are you constantly dwelling on what can go wrong? Let’s say you set out to accomplish something. Make the most practical and pragmatic plans possible and then let it go. Let all your fears go and expect a positive result as you execute your plan.
Adopt a lens of trust
To identify whether your trust lens is lacking, ask yourself: Is my default mode to be suspicious of everyone until proven otherwise? If someone breaks my trust, do I assume that they’ll do it again in the future? If you struggle with trust issues, adopt a default belief that it’s OK to trust others until they give you a good reason not to.
Accept uncomfortable situations as they come
When bad things that are beyond your control happen in your life, accept them as is instead of blaming yourself or others. Focus on the things that you have control over i.e. your mood, thoughts, and actions.