Lately, I’ve heard a lot of grumbling that nobody trusts good news anymore because it’s been followed by bad news time and time again. Well... that’s not good!
Our ability to make sound decisions quickly is vital to our business and personal health. But many of us are struggling with past experiences and allowing them to influence our current situations. The ups and downs of life, work, and the economy have left many of us with lingering uncertainties since the pandemic. It's time to break free from the past and focus on the present to drive better decision-making and be better leaders. But... how do we do that?Recently, there was a great discussion in the Bureau Slack on how to handle late payments. It got me thinking about how many times I had to "make the call" to a client and ask what the holdup was. Sometimes, it was legit, and sometimes, they were playing games. But every single time, I got to decide how I was going to act. And you get to choose the same. So read on and hear what the community and yours truly think about clients who miss payments.
Letting Go of the Past
The Burden of the Past
Many of our problems stem from living in the past or worrying about the future. When past experiences—whether failures or successes—cloud our judgment, we hurt our ability to respond effectively to what's happening now. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward change. AKA, acknowledging we have a problem is the only way to get past it.
Living in the Now
Are we still in uncertain times? I'm sick of that phrase. That's why it's more important than ever to make decisions based on current realities rather than past experiences or future fears. It's about being fully present with our teams, clients, and tasks, trusting our forecast and other metrics, and acting accordingly.
How to Break Free from Worries of the Past
Awareness: Notice when past experiences influence your thoughts and decisions. Acknowledge these thoughts without judgment, let them go, and bring your focus back to the present.
Mindful Breathing: Taking a few deep breaths can help clear your mind and refocus your attention on the here and now. It works, it's not just hippie shit!
Let Go of Your Baggage: Understand that the past does not define you. Each moment is a new opportunity to make different choices. Approach each situation with a fresh perspective.
Focus on What You Can Control: Your power lies in the present moment. Focus on your actions and decisions now rather than worrying about past mistakes or future uncertainties.
Cultivate Presence in Leadership: Be fully present in meetings and conversations with your team. Listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and decide based on current information and insights.
Building a Present-focused Culture
Encourage your team to adopt a present-focused mindset. Promote practices that foster mindfulness and presence, such as regular check-ins, mindfulness exercises, and open discussions about staying grounded in the present. This will enhance decision-making and improve overall team well-being and productivity.
The Benefits of Living in the Now
By embracing the present, you can make more precise, effective decisions that benefit your agency. Free from the burdens of the past, you can lead with greater clarity, creativity, and confidence.
It's important to remember the lessons learned from the last few years as we work through the challenges of leading a digital agency today. But we can't let what we've experienced paralyze us. Let's embrace the present and make decisions that reflect today's needs and opportunities. By doing so, we'll not only enhance our leadership but also inspire our teams to do the same.