DO NOT STRETCH!
When it comes to going to the gym, you should always stretch before you work out. It is called a “warm-up”. You do your work out. You stretch to cool down. When it comes to being a leader, I can not stress this enough: DO NOT STRETCH! Now, here me out.
Leadership for one is not the same as working out; however, it is a work out. Leading isn’t easy. We all know that even though anyone can do it. When it comes to my pivotal piece of advice “DO NOT STRETCH!”, I mean don’t stretch yourself too thin. Pick one, two, maybe even three things that you really love to fight or advocate for. Leave it at that.
Now, I have told what not to do, but I bet you are wonder why not? I will do that right now since you asked. When you stretch while leading, you stretch yourself out among all of your efforts. Especially if you are a perfectionist like many leaders, you try to stretch yourself 100% among all of your efforts. The inevitable response to this is stress. I know this from personal experience.
During high school, which was so long ago (5 months ago), I was a very involved student leader. I was involved in theater, my Legal Studies Academy, my Mentor Program, my Young Democrats group, and other things. On top of all that, I had my school work to conquer and my family issues to deal with (don’t even get me started on that).
Anyways, the point I’m making if you have stress overloading you. Normally, people resort to depression and self-harming acts and suicidal ideations. Those are issues that most leaders deal with at one point of their life. Most go to therapist or talk to someone else. If you follow my advice, you won’t stretch yourself in the first place.
I leave you with this:
“My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on few things.” -Bill Gates
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I find that I try to do too many things at once a lot also (esp. in high school), and then it is impossible for me to put my very best efforts into everything. I was recently discussing this with a friend and this is true of community aid organizations; if they try to do absolutely everything for the community, they will often be stretched too thin and won’t be able to keep providing. It is important to pick and choose services highest in demand; or for the sake of leaders, it is important to pick what is most important to you or helpful to others.
-Mimi
October 23rd, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Although I see your point, I disagree. Focusing on just one thing and not over working yourself is something very important to keep in mind, but if you want to participate in other things it doesn’t necessarily mean it will eventually lead you to self harming. There is always an opportunity to be a leader, there are many different types of leaders. Leaders don’t always have to be loud to be heard, some leaders are behind the scene; listen to what everyone has to say and then act on it or put their input when the group needs it.
October 23rd, 2012 at 8:10 pm
In an ideal world, everyone would know their limits. However, in everyday life, people try to do too many things; that’s a major characteristic in our country. American society teaches us that we should do as much as we can. We get so caught that we tend not to even realize all we’re wrapped up in. I feel that we should be more like the Spaniards, who take a break out of their day around lunch time and rest.
October 23rd, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I think that for some people it is important to not stretch yourself too thin, but this doesn’t just apply to leadership roles, it applies to activiteis in general. However, I do think that for some people being involved in what most others would consider too many activities is what keeps them going. Some people are naturally programmed to be able to handle more business and stress than others and thats fine. It is equally okay to be on either side of the spectrum as long as you realize when is too much and when is not enough based on your own personality.