Harvard Business Publishing

I truly believe in the power of self awareness and practicing change! This message will help you to be creative about your everyday life and to be happy within yourself. Thank you so very much Annie McKee!!

Thanks Annie, for another inspiring article. Its a wake up call that will turn my attention to focus what really matters.

Kathy Naylor

It's so hard to get leaders to recognize that renewal and rejuvenation aren't luxuries---they are required for good and sustainable leadership. This article is a wonderful reminder-thanks Annie!

Leaders need to recognize that their employees need renewal and rejuvenation! The "sacrifice syndrome" is contagious.

It is inspirational words like these of Annie McKee that will lead people in the direction of not only to a happier place in our careers but also a happier place in our lives. Thank you and continue the great blogs.

Annie,

Thanks for this reminder. Most of the people with whom I work are school superintendents and are wonderfully excited about the new year, with the hope and potential for all children that implies. And while their summers are very full with professional learning and other activities, "vacation" is not a long time for them. So this article comes with powerful reminders of steps to take now, when things are just starting.

One of my responsibilities as a manager is to enable a work/life balance for my staff. It's hard for high performers to step back and see the value of balance. This makes me proud of my employer.

Empathy is probably the single most potent tool to combat stress. When we relate to others, understand and appreciate their roles, their strengths and their limitations, we also get better realization about ourselves. When we give a due concession to someone else, we are more likely to give it to our own self. A quiet moment alone helps, but moments spent with and on and about others are even more helpful. They shift the focus from us to others and provide relief.

These are words to continuously remind ourselves to live by. We need introspection to better ourselves, the only way to help others. thank you so much, more please

A good reminder! The insights are important -- but most critical and what makes the difference in terms of behavior and well-being is "practicing" -- taking on what Annie talks about as everyday practices, so that our bodies and minds actually begin to develop differently and we can begin to generate the kinds of responses to our circumstances that don't generate more stress. This takes a fair degree of commitment and will. I've found it's often difficult for folks to take on a commitment to new practices solo. A partnership or a community of others with shared commitment seems to support this kind of developmental work.

As we start back to the "work season" here in Europe, I have already heard some side comments from international assignees here to their colleagues..."ooh your 3 week summer break is over, finally getting back to work, are you?" This kind of reaction comes from people not used to having those long summer vacations where family and friends get together and recharge their batteries or when long summer evenings encourage them to dine late as the sun sets after 10 pm...I'm not saying that Europeans are less stressed, but the values of family and relationships are a priority. Most people are unreachable and disconnected during this quality time. Maybe as Americans, we could learn to appreciate this habit of "being" instead of always "doing".
Thanks for reminding us of this need Annie !
Maureen Rabotin

Dang! that was a well written article. Thank you Anne for inspiring and reminding of how not to be.

I'd be very interested in finding out how you, Annie, teach mindfulness in a business school classroom. In particular, I'd be interested in finding out what in-class learning activities you use.

Really key messages here - thanks Annie. The challenge (as any coach knows too well) is how to get leaders beyond "knowing it's important to do this" to the "doing". It's always sad to see that often leaders don't get to the "doing" point unless there's some personal crisis or significant life event that creates the momentum. For so many leaders, psychological & physical renewal is perceived as "fluff" that if they were seen doing, would diminish them somehow in the eyes of others. Admitting to yourself that you're not a superhero - a huge first step. Being unafraid to say it to others - a critical next step

Thanks so much for an article that absolutely spoke to me and to my current needs.

Now I know what people mean about listening to the universe when it talks to you.

Jeandivi

I couldn't agree more with Annie's four poignant principles on how to live a better life-personally and professionally. Very inspiring and quite meaningful!

Thank you for a very good article. I want to keep reading so many of them! I have graduated two years ago and I am discovering the menaing of pressure and work 24/7 in New York City. Help is always welcome! Please keep writing!
L.

Thank you for these important messages - I also agree strongly with Asrar Qureshi's comments: "Empathy is probably the single most potent tool to combat stress. When we relate to others, understand and appreciate their roles, their strengths and their limitations, we also get better realization about ourselves." So true.

Bravo bravo!!!
You bring forward an excellent law...

Life is not to be spent in slavery but diligent work that a worker wants to do...

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Ajay

I'm an engineer/project manager, previously not very enthusiastic about "soft" approaches to work accomplishment. However, I'm also real familiar with the "sacrifice syndrome", having experienced it myself more than once. As a consequence, I've been attempting to follow a new path and this article provides some very useful guidance. Thanks!

I believe the full understanding and utilization of your number 2 above- Practice mindfulness- is a key to prevention of engaging in behavior that when reflected up brings regret. it has a lot to do with the pause necessary between the emotional brains race for the podium and the cognitive brains waiting its turn. It also lets you reflect on the tendencies or habits you have in those conditions- and more importantly, how is the normal response working so far. Understanding your natural tendency to react in certain situations and how effective you are in those key moments is key to building new approaches.Refrain, Reflect and Respond, wait a few seconds for the cognitive brain to muscle forward let it review the scene and then respond. When dealing with any other human being, whether the janitor, President or boy scout ensure their self esteem remains intact before you proceed to service your agenda. Negatively impact someones self esteem and people stop listening, all communication is halted despite the head nod you may get.