☄️ In Search of Equanimity

My system surfaced the right highlight for me at the right time:

Thanks, system!

(having highlights across PDFs, articles, and books feed into a single place that allows me to review a handful of old highlights a day has been wonderful for recalling material I've found valuable in the past)

Every leader's journey is different, but there are common threads. I like the framing in this quote that leaders not only, by definition, take on forces larger than themselves, but that there are actually ways to take those forces on. It certainly doesn't always feel that way, and sometimes what's needed is this very reminder.

The quote comes from Lead Yourself First, a book focused primarily on the power and necessity of solitude. I've come back to it many times in the years in no small part because of insights like this.

It's evidently true, when I pause to think about it, that I need clarity and conviction to do my job well. And there's something oh so sweet when I have both things at once.

It took time for me to embrace leadership. In high school, I led no clubs and was captain of no team (to the contrary, I literally got last in multiple cross country races). In the Marine Corps, I was adequate, but was the tip of no one's spear. In my high school teaching days, I got the job done but did not excel. As a litigator, I performed well but didn't have my heart in it.

At Warrior Scholar Project, I feel as if I've finally been able to start embracing what I am capable of. Every single experience I've had in my life plays a role in my ability to lead effectively in this position.

There are infinite reasons I love what I do — it pushes me into tough places where I'm not sure I belong, and I know it's worth it to push through every challenge because of the value of what we do. Many rely on me to exercise my best judgment, and I feel the true weight of it when I let people down. What an awesome responsibility.

And so, I must put into practice the things I know provide me with clarity and conviction. Self care (even when that means taking my foot off the gas for a spell). Mindfulness and solitude. Conversation with those I trust. Deep work. Reading and learning.

All in search of equanimity (a beautiful word which, in full transparency, I have look up every single time I read it).

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