Spring Cleaning Is Time for Leaders to Take Stock

In some areas of the country, you may still have snow on the ground like me. With one look out the window into the flower bed, I can see the daffodils starting to sprout up through the frozen earth. For me, this time of year is when I start itching to spring clean.

But, it’s not just my house that needs a good deep clean. There are times in your life as a leader that you need to take a moment and lean into what your body is telling you. Are you feeling full of energy or burned out?

If you are feeling the latter, begin to take note of what fills you up. There is a difference in what fills up your time and what fills up your soul. Have you packed your life with tasks that are just taking up time? Or are you focusing on what is truly important and making an impact on the world? Maybe, it is time to slow down and smell the daffodils.

Clean

As you are taking stock of all that is going on in your life, try to say “no” to those tasks that do not fill you up. It is better to say “no” than to say “yes” and spend precious energy dreading doing the task. You will feel much better—and be a better leader—if you are giving your energy to things that energize you.

For instance, as a company leader, I am given the opportunity to participate in many events. I have found that I must be very intentional in selecting the opportunities I say yes to. My personal why is to support the manufacturing community—so if by saying yes, I have a larger impact, then I am all in.