Leaders know what they believe.
You would be surprised how many people haven’t thought about their beliefs.
So, what are the principles that define your character? Many professions have codes of behavior, and leaders should also have them. Those beliefs provide the waypoints as we navigate life’s challenges and define who we are or what I call the “objective self” we want to be. These beliefs are commonly called Unifying Principles because they unify our highest values of life, but you have to figure out yours.
If you haven’t, I suggest you start with spirit, mind, and body. Then consider family, professional, financial, and social beliefs, roles, and relationships. You can look at the Nicene Creed, the Declaration of Independence, the Scout Law, or ancient wisdom. The Stoics believed the pursuit of a virtuous life centered on Wisdom, Courage, Justice, and Temperance was a life worth living. Whatever you choose, it must be authentic to you.
Write them down, make them active, like “I live with integrity,” and then write a few sentences about what that means. Spend 15 minutes every morning working on defining them until they describe the objective you, and then you will have your code. With that done, you can start writing goals to become that person.
So, what are those handful of unifying principles that guide your life?
Remember, “all things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts.”™
