Of all the obstacles that I have had to get through, mindset has been the consistent one. Not formidable but like the tide, it is there and can be came one day, non-existent the next, and then raging when I least expect it.
Tools for mindset are hard to talk about since the variability of how you got into the mindset. My process about getting into the mindset starts with my morning ritual. There are days that I just know before getting out of bed that I am not going to be at the top. I have a ritual that helps me try to turn it for the better. It works a lot of the time. There are times that I am in a spectacular mood but something grabs me and takes me in the wrong direction. There are some things that I do about getting it back from there.
For most days it is about the first few minutes of the morning. It is a time of opposites. If I am cold that morning, I warm up. If I am sad in the morning for whatever reason, I task myself on what I am intending to do that day. I look at all my control surfaces and levers.
For the times I commuted I chose an audible book to listen to that would help me set the tone for the day. Have multiple on tap, fiction, non-fiction, biography, productivity. Each of them have a trigger for me. Podcasts are excellent as well. Going to deep into any one thing can mess with you so, choose what is going to help influence you to be better, not to compliment your negativities. The book, podcast or radio show I picked would set the tone. There is also always music and particularly the well curated playlists.
Before I left the door, I had did the norms for self care. I would also prior to getting into the shower, would take a look at my calendar and either move, delegate or write a quick email instead of going to a meeting that could be an email. You need to take all the agency you can to make those meetings emails. Explain why you should not attend and make sure you are not doing it to the same person over and over again, or if you have to, make sure you make time to talk with them so as they do not take it personally.
I would look at my task system and see what I had so I could mentally prepare for that task. Somedays the mindset is not there with the other workload to get a certain task done. Value your head AND the task. If your head is not in it, don't do it. Also, there were days that emails from other continents with bigger problems surfaced.
Doing all this before a shower allowed me to gauge the headspace needed for the day. Knowing the docket, clearing things out and going in feeling in control of your day helped my mindset immensely. Know who you should deal with, who you should avoid, and who you critically need to talk to.
The negative things I stopped doing was checking my email after a certain hour when I got home. I gave my folks a time as to when I would not look at my email. I would tell them to text, or to "message" me via whatever platform the company used. If they needed me, they could call me. My phone is always with me unless it cannot be with me.
I also stopped a few things that contributed into negative mindsets. I have a text rule, if you text me more than 5 times, unless I know where the conversation is going, I am going to call you. None of this passive aggressive stuff. That way there is true back and forth communication. Again you have to be in a non-negative confrontational mindset, but help them help you. They likely need your undivided attention and may not value what they are saying or they have fear of what is going on after hours. Help deal with their fears. If they are up at night thinking about stuff, then you should be as well.
Key to all this was learning about what I actually needed to value and care about my role and my people. Yes, you do need boundaries. You should value self care, always. There are times you need to focus on the problems that extend beyond hours for people that are pouring their souls into an issue. Here is how that helps mindset. Walking away from your team when they need to see leadership will sabotage your relationships with your team. Empowering your team to make decisions will strengthen them. Your team should send you home when they don't need you. If it means that you are sweeping, picking up food, removing obstacles or getting resources, then stay. Your mindset will be so much better for it. Your team will be valued and you will know it.
For the times I work from home.
I have a ritual in the morning. All the typical stuff as before. But I have candles, humidifiers, lights, music, breakfast and all the other things as well with calendar and email.
I also take time to reach out to people and to see how they are. Self care for myself by checking on them.
For the times I travel.
I makes sure I am effective. I have my tools with me. My mindset is enabled by my road ritual. Stuff, timing, planning, and execution. When I travel, I plan for the scenario and task that I am there for. I anticipate issues. I have the tools (stuff) I need to execute on the plan and anything for the first tier issues. I make sure I have a schedule on the ground with in itinerary and as always I plan for things to go sideways. In the end, while I am not in control, I feel it. Confidence to handle what is thrown at me.
I check in with my people and value that I am not there both at home and work. I value them because I care. If you don't, do not be authentic. But when you are with them be present.
Here is how I broke down mindset for myself.
Grounded - Ground yourself so you have your faculties about yourself. Take stock of what you have and don't have.
Intentionality/Direction - Have an agenda for the day, ensure that agenda has purpose.
Presence - Be present to affect your world and the world you operate in.
Engagement - When communicating be authentic
Aware - Use all of your senses and accept the cues your are give to receive the world and people.
Enablement - have the tools you need to be effective so you can solve problems and help people
Actively Listen - actively listen with empathy, and allow your authenticity to also be critical and communicate/reflect why.
Appreciation - appreciate my surroundings, people's values, and read the room
Empathetic - Focus your energy on understanding
Integrity - lead with integrity to be a kind person
Refinement - With all of the above sharpen yourself, your skills, your kit, your values to be a better person
Impact - As the person above I will have impact for the better, or at least be my authentic self.
Mindset is up to you. Don't blame anyone but yourself for how you engage with the world.
Find grace for others and you will find grace for yourself. Be in the moment so you can make the best decisions for the patients and ultimately for your own family, friends and loved ones.
Don't let your worst mindset and the resulting decisions be taken out on someone who does not deserve it.