When heading out to enjoy time in your boat, it is very important to take an anchor with you. Any time you want to stop and not drift away with the tide it can steady your boat and allow you to relax and take in the vista. Most people consider an anchor to be standard equipment to possess.
In leadership, there are different types of anchors which can serve a variety of purposes. One key anchor is clarity of purpose and priorities. This clarity helps us avoid getting caught up with distractions that carry us away from our priorities.
Another type of anchor is time to process, plan, and focus. This time may seem like a luxury, but it is so critical to recentering our minds on what is important. It also helps to prevent burnout and stress from feeling overwhelmed. Time spent in reflection and visioning brings a clearer perspective to what we are trying to achieve.
Another critical anchor is seeking counsel from others we respect and trust. When left to our own thought process, we can get stuck in our perspective,
or become reactive to what is happening in the moment. Taking time to seek out input from others, and to listen to different perspectives, informs our decisions and brings new insights into our thought process.
Having an anchor to steady us during tough times is essential. Anchors allow us to stay grounded when the economy is unfavorable or when our most critical employee leaves. We cannot control every circumstance we face, but having an anchor that constantly guides our perspective is key. Examples of this anchor could be your faith, your values, or what you feel called to do in life. This anchor does not change but should be a constant throughout your life.
Consider the anchors in your life and work. What anchors are you missing and how can you begin using them to stay the course?
