Last year Facebook Billionaire and COO, Sheryl Sandberg launched her book Lean In. For as long as I can remember, and well before my own career started, I’ve been leaning in. Leaning in for me is my comfort zone. I’ve taken early risks, built a powerful network, sat at the table, and have had my heels on the gas for 16 years. I love to grow and I love helping other women grow, even more.
However, just in the past 6 months, I’ve been doing the complete opposite: leaning back and out.
I worried for a while that if I leaned out and back that this might send a message I didn’t care or I wasn’t full of “busyness”.
Quite the opposite. Leaning back, while initially very unsettling, has provided me the opportunity to see the world around me very differently.
When we lean back and let things happen, remarkable things come our way.
In Bronnie Ware’s, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, one of the resounding cries was “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.” Those interviewed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a “work existence.” I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been blessed to have more balance lately so I’ve embraced it. I am sleeping, eating well, have lost the weight I needed to drop and I feel more focused than ever. I am visiting my daughter’s classroom more. This spring I will begin the Center for Houston’s Future forum and I’m a contender in Houston’s Fittest Executivewellness competition. (Vote for me!)
I am doing more “me” things. I’m investing in the best stock I have: ME.
All because I’m leaning back.
Happy Friday!
When we lean too much, we are unable to balance. This understanding of not buying into what has worked for others, will allow us each to find our steady path. Oh, we will stumble and fall, but that is from the stones and boulders on the path. But, think about it, can you walk that path if you are leaning in, out, over, sideways?
Best to just keep moving forward and with both arms wide open and hands out for those that will hold them when you stumble or fall.
Wow Sara. I love this. You have me thinking more. Thank you. I’m blessed to have you around me helping me to think about things differently. I believe this time ‘back’ is allowing me to reset the way forward so I can and will walk with my arms wide and moving forward. This Reflection time has rocked.
Katie, thanks for articulating what I have been feeling and doing for myself. It is a wise woman that recognizes it serves no one when we follow the herd…especially when the herd is headed in a direction that is not good or safe for us. We are the only ones in a position to judge and select the path that is right for us based upon our beliefs, values and gut. Kudos for Leaning Back! I’m happy to know I’m not alone!