Green Thoughts

By Jeanine Izzo

The landscape was as lush as a Costa Rican rain forest, yet it was groomed with great care and attention to detail.  As I overlooked the rice terraces in Bali, Indonesia I was overcome with feelings of calm.  There were not any over the top tourist signs, gimmicks or gestures.  Well, at least aside from the up charged, yet still reasonable, lunch with a view.  The green terraces sported graceful curves, complimentary palm trees and swaying crops.  My breathing was noticeably deeper as I took in the freshness of the air.

As is typical when I’m away from my normal environment, my mind sees unique perspectives.  As I hiked among these fields, the word that stayed at the forefront was Green.  Green, green, green, green, green.  “Wow, I can’t believe how green these slopes are!”  Then, my mind began reflecting on the North American definition for green related to the environment.  Reduce, reuse, recycle.  Fortunately, we spend an increasing amount of time thinking about how to make the external environment cleaner and more sustainable for the future.  Unfortunately, we spend very little time sustaining and building ourselves up internally.  This is when I jotted down the idea for green thoughts related to personal and professional leadership.

It’s true, having a green attitude toward products and the planet has become more and more prevalent.  Of course, the behaviors cultivated by this attention, with the intent to sustain our resources, are essential.  At the same time, there is a tendency to become less and less conscious of our personal thoughts and behaviors which contribute to how we treat ourselves, and others.  This reduced consciousness opens us up to more distractions and reactions until we feel like we have no other choice then to keep doing more of the same.  As a result, depletion of energy, ideas, happiness and health might ensue.  The longer we go without replenishing ourselves, the greater the impact and the longer it could take to feel like we have choices again.

In truth, we always have choices, yet when we’re bogged down, it’s difficult to see the options.  During these times, we:

• Focus on what’s wrong, blame others, create unproductive conflict
• Feel defeated, stuck, act like a victim
• See only the extremes…right/wrong, black/white, good/bad
• React to what is directly in front of us without regard for the future and other priorities, inadvertently creating more distractions and fire drills
• Intentionally, or unintentionally bring others down with our complaining and negativity
• Experience low energy which begets more of the same
• Generate disengaged, fear based teams

Forward Moving Tips:

When you green up your thoughts, you:

• Focus on what’s right and use that momentum to help improve other elements.  Yes, you still see the muck, only now you take responsibility to improve or contain the mess
• Feel enabled to move forward and make a difference.  Select the area(s) where you are best equipped to make an impact
• See and entertain many options between the extremes which allows for the creation of more effective solutions and results
• Respond to shifting needs while keeping the vision for success in mind, thereby reducing waste of time, energy and money
• Consciously lift others up directly and indirectly through your words and actions
• Experience regeneration of your energy which creates more of the same
• Develop engaged, high functioning teams

Everyone experiences feeling weighted down from time to time.  Paying attention to your thoughts and actions  when you are going through a tough spot, and altering your approach, can help you get through the difficult times more quickly.  Over time, you are likely to create more sustainable patterns that will serve you for years to come.

For assistance with moving forward with more focus, confidence and success along your journey,  Contact Viage Partners today.

© Viage Partners 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Viage Partners with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.