You have power over your mind — Lionesses of Africa

Amen to that last one! Take a step back and you will actually see more clearly the problems, the noise, and solutions. Do not be all about business. If you carry your business everywhere as a millstone around your neck, this will drain you and you will no longer see clearly, no longer be within touching distance of your dream. The skies will be dark with your brooding and all memories of blue skies will be gone.

But as always, it is easier said than done, although one assumes not for a Roman Emperor who had no one to point out that they were procrastinating, confusing, wandering in their thoughts or perhaps a tad too aggressive. Actually that might be a bit unfair to his advisors as we don’t know for sure, but we can’t imagine they had a long shelf life if they overstepped and became too truthful to their Leader…

But this is an important point. Leading a company (or even an empire for that matter!) is a lonely job. No one understands the company as you do. The Board who probably (after you) know the most about the directions, plans and issues, won’t know the day-to-day issues that you have to deal with, they deal with just the upper stratosphere stuff. Your trusty right hand woman or Chief of Staff knows most of the day-to-day issues, but doesn’t have the responsibility. Your CFO and COO are bogged down in their own issues whilst feeling they should not bother you with minutiae. Your management team have their own departmental agendas. Your employees are most concerned about their hard work being recognised in pay, in praise or in both. Your partner at home doesn’t know the full story and can only offer support as advice is so difficult and will be influenced by their love, their concern for your health, and worry that you work too hard.

So where are you?

No doubt stuck somewhere floating in between all these parties wondering why someone has taken all the colours from your palette and you now are only painting in monochrome. This is certainly true for many CEO’s during these terrible times and even Marcus’ most well known saying: “Do every act of your life as if it were your last” gives little comfort as often in these situations and with so much noise rushing around your head, you could be forgiven for thinking that indeed each decision will terrifyingly be your last for your company! 

At times like these it is often useful to recognize as Marcus did in our title quote this weekend, that you can control only what you can control and that starts with having power over your own mind.  As Jack Ma said in the ‘Looking for Africa’s Business Heroes – Documentary of the 2019 Africa’s Business Heroes Competition’ (here – see 14.32) in answer to a question on how he avoids burn out from our very own Christelle (here), – he says that you have to know how to prioritise, otherwise it is impossible to survive. Being able to prioritise and that includes the essential ‘me time’ is not easy. Everyone wants a piece of you, yet controlling your own mind is the first step on this journey to controlling far more. This is seen clearly when one starts meditation. The hardest part is calming the constant noise racing within your own head. This is why so many meditation techniques have mantras that allow you to be taken to that almost somnolent state that quietens the noise within and allows you to breathe undisturbed and indeed, see more clearly now. 

As Emperor Marcus Aurelius did, use a mantra, a daily habit, even a Diary where one can write out one’s thoughts, to calm your mind. Such a habit when cultivated will allow you to see all obstacles in your way (if you want to find solutions, first see the problem!), to see the sky clearly – almost as if (continuing to misquote the great Jimmy Cliff) – the rain is gone and there are Blue Skies all around…

As Marcus Aurelius tells us – “In your life, don’t be all about business.” – so for a moment, kick off your shoes, sit back, click here and listen to the great man himself take you to a calmer place – Oh and smile at this beautiful song – you deserve it!

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone.

All of the bad feelings have disappeared.

Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for.

It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies.

Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but Blue Skies.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.

Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for.

It’s gonna be a bright (bright)

Bright (bright) sunshiny day.”

On that we can all agree!

Stay safe.