I’m 46 years old and I love to say that I’ll live to 103. I call it, my “Number”.
So, if my math serves me, I’ve got approximately 57 years left in my lifetime to nurture, love, care, and constantly get better at the things most important to me. One of those important “things”, is being a quality parent for my 2 boys.
What does this mean? 100 % commitment.
IMHO, being a mom is a non-negotiable. I don’t get to put them back in. I don’t get to quit. Motherhood is a bond, a contract if you will, that is unbreakable.
For me, I’ve decided these relationships are forever and as such, I need to treat them as though I will have them for a lifetime…you know, another 57 years :).
So like anything that you want to last a long time, parent/child relationships need constant strengthening to flourish..to thrive. This means I can’t get lazy with my language. I can’t take the easy way out and say, “because I said so”. I can’t say one thing, and do another. I can’t perform poorly and not apologize or make amends. The buck stops here! I can’t shirk these things as much as I may want to in the moment.
By being a mom, I get to see and experience what it’s like to have this commitment, this non-negotiable. And believe it or not, this 100% commitment makes change so much easier. To see my mistakes along the way as lessons. To be aware of areas I need to get better at, and move forward with intention, love, patience, and forgiveness.
Again, these are 57-year relationships. Mistakes are going to happen. I’m going to try things that don’t work or fall flat on my face sometimes. And guess what… it’s the 100% commitment that makes it so much easier to own my shit, and apologize when necessary. Am I going to miss out on 57 years of the good stuff because I don’t know how to say I’m sorry? No way!
So, how does being a mom make me a better business leader?
That 100% commitment. Not 99%. 100%. All the way.
Now that I’ve learned what it truly means to decide to make something work over the long haul, I can look at being a business leader through the same lens.
What would it look like to treat my business in the same way? How would that change my working relationships? My client relationships? The sales process? Everything!
This perspective and the process of putting it all into everyday practice has been explosive and expansive. We went from a team of G.A and I, to a team of 8. People who are super excited about our vision and what we’re doing. Clients are better. Results are better. I’m working less hours, making good money and having the most fun I’ve ever had!
All of this from applying that simple, yet profound principle of 100% commitment. I used motherhood to experience and learn it fully, now I integrate it into everything I do.
Whether it’s parenting or a love of animals, sports, or cars…it doesn’t matter where that drive and commitment in you comes from. What matters is that you have awareness of the source of your power, then can tap into it and leverage it in all areas of your life.
- Where does your commitment come from?
- What drives you?
- How can you leverage the power of 100% commitment in all areas of your life?
Being a mom changed my leadership abilities. It changed my commitment level. And just like when I look at my kids and I believe in them and see greatness them, same goes for my team.
To all my fellow female breeders, rock on!
