Obsess Over The Right Thing

And it's not your competition

As a business leader, our attention can easily be diverted from the things we should be doing. One of those ways we divert our attention is by obsessing over the wrong things. The biggest wrong thing we focus on is our competition.

Man holding glasses over the water focused on a city

Photo by Elena Taranenko

We focus on our competition because shifting our focus to them is easy. We constantly hear or see what the competition is doing. This makes us anxious and nervous…

If we’re not obsessed on the right thing.

Why Obsessing On The Competition Is The Wrong Play

I’ve already mentioned why we obsess about the competition. They’re who we see and who we hear about on a daily basis. Seeing them “pull” ahead terrifies us. Yet this doesn’t do us any good.

When we focus on the competition, we’re focusing on an external factor. You and I, we can’t do a thing about the competition. They’re doing their own thing. We need to do our own.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Russian Five

A Reel Leadership Article

Most of the movies I attend can be classified as action, suspense, thriller, or comedy. Rarely do I share a Reel Leadership article about a documentary. Today, though, is one of those rare moments and I think you’ll enjoy this one.

The Russian Five isn’t about government collusion with Russia or Russian spies. No, The Russian Five is about one of the greatest turnarounds in hockey history. It’s about the Detroit Red Wings and their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Profile shots of the Russian Five

Red Wing players Sergei Fedorov, Viacheslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Vyacheslav Kozlov, and Igor Larionov

The last time the Detroit Red Wings had won the Stanley Cup was 1955. For years, the Red Wings became the laughing stock of the NHL. Many people referred to them as the Dead Wings.

Their NHL stock was falling. No one believed they could win another Stanley Cup. Then things changed.

You Can’t Keep Looking Back

If you want to move forward, you have to give up doing something. That something is looking back. Constantly looking back to the past will hinder you from moving forward.

From becoming a better husband. From being a better husband. And from being a better leader.

You have to stop looking to the past - Woman looking behind her

Photo by Roberto Nickson

It’s hard to look forward and away from the past. There are so many awesome things to look back upon.

You’ve accomplished so much. You’re proud of the time you took your wife to the perfect vacation spot and the time you spent there. Or you fondly recall the time you helped lead your team to win the sales competition in your department.

All good things! All things you should be proud of. But what happens when you constantly look back?

It’s All About Your Focus

The Disciplined Leader Series

Becoming a disciplined leader is not for the faint of heart. A disciplined leader knows being disciplined is a choice. He also knows being disciplined is more than a choice.

Leaders who are truly disciplined in their thoughts, actions, and life go the next step. These disciplined leaders know to be truly disciplined they have to control their focus.

Focus on the right things and you can become a disciplined leader

Photo by Moren Hsu

Disciplined leaders get out of the mindset trap of jumping from shiny object to shiny object to squirrel! Instead, they’ve narrowed their focus to a fine point.

This means these leaders don’t let their minds wander when they need to be focused on a specific task. They hone in on the task and get it done.

But how do they stay focused? What does focus look like? Let’s take a look at what it takes to be focused.

The Habits Of A Disciplined Leader

The Disciplined Leader Series

Becoming a disciplined leader takes hard work. You have to discipline (duh!) yourself and break yourself of the bad habits you’ve created.

You’re going to have to create new habits. The habits of a disciplined leader.

Learn the habits of disciplined people

Photo by Saffu

Are you ready?

The Habits Of A Disciplined Leader

1. They practice self-care

The first habit of a disciplined leader is the habit of self-care. This isn’t a call to be selfish. This is a call to make sure you and your body are in optimal condition.

Disciplined leaders know they have to do a couple of things to make sure they’re the best that they can be. To practice the habit of self-care, a leader must:

Regularly exercise
Renew his mind
Eat healthily

Basically, self-care means you take care of your body and mind. You don’t do drugs, drink alcohol in excess, or over-indulge. You also make sure you’re inputting good things into your body and mind.