We can’t talk about leading in 2021 without taking into account the emotional state of our employees and our teams.

You may have seen some of the latest research around the Mental Health statistics for employees.

Here’s an excerpt from the Morneau Shepell Mental Health Index report from December 2020. The Mental Health Index report measures the current mental health status of employed adults amidst the Covid-19 pandemic across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia.

There’s a power and practice we all have access to that I would say is one of the most underutilized tools in our everyday toolbox….and I would venture to say, also in life.

First, here are some questions to consider:

Do you ever feel like your business or work is happening to you - a force unto itself and you’re not really in the driver’s seat?

Have you often wondered about the next step to take or how to navigate tough decisions?

Do you feel regular swirling thoughts of uncertainty and lack of direction or lack of focus when you think about your work or business?

Do you find yourself off course often - realizing that what you were doing all day or all week isn’t getting you closer to your goals or aligned with your vision?

Here’s the thing: I know how it feels to be uncertain about the next steps, to feel like it’s ‘hard’ to figure out what’s next or to wade through the noise and chaos of what comes at us daily.

I have found a simple tool and practice helpful and I wanted to share it with you today.

Everyone has their own way of navigating career twists and turns.

However, there are some common themes (and mistakes) I’ve noticed that, if avoided, could actually improve your opportunities or make career changes more successful (and easier) for you.

He proceeded to tell me his story of working in the financial industry and how he became so dissatisfied that it significantly impacted him professionally and personally. He said that he almost became a different person.