(2 minute read)
“Knowledge of others is intelligence; knowledge of self is wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering oneself is true power.”
Lao Tzu (Born 571 BCE)
Consider yourself as a business.
As the CEO of Self.org, how might you describe your product or service? What is it that you do? What do you stand for? What are your points-of-difference? What are some of your notable achievements? How do others view you and your offerings? What is the vision or long-term strategy you have for your business? What challenges are you currently experiencing? What support resources do you rely upon – or need? Where should you be investing your capital and your energy for the best return from you? And, finally, what changes or improvements should you make to allow your business – Self.org – to grow or expand to its potential?
In your role as CEO of Self.org, you should also consider a communications and marketing plan. How do you share, broadcast and communicate your successes and/or what you can or will do? A more holistic – yet essential – question to address, is one of sustainability; What could sabotage your business plans for Self.org? What actions or behaviours are necessary to keep your product / service at a high quality?
When Peter Drucker famously quipped, “Being a self-leader is to serve as chief, captain, president, or CEO of one’s own life”, the educator and management consultant echoed the words of Lao Tzu some 2500 years previously.
You see, when you think of yourself as a business, and adopt the role of CEO, you can take a more objective view of your operations, and your future.
When challenging or difficult situations arise in your life, you can use this perspective to remove the emotions and adopt a more analytical or problem-solving mode. Conversely, when opportunities present, try thinking like a leader of a startup. CEOs of these businesses are usually entrepreneurial and innovative and tolerate a certain degree of risk. They don’t strive to keep the status quo; they push boundaries hoping to take the business into new territory. They put fear of failure aside, think creatively and find the courage to evolve. But they’re not reckless. Rather, they seek advice, do the preparation, and typically back themselves.
As the leaders of our lives, how can we realise our potential and steer the mighty ship S.S. Self toward new discoveries and exciting horizons? Sail on!