I came across a great quote today from Nelson Mandela that I believe all leaders can put into practice immediately. When asked how he survived the many years he spent in prison, he replied, “I didn’t survive, I prepared.” Wow, that’s a seminar right there. All of us go through difficult times and challenging experiences, and I’m sure most of us, when asked how we’re doing, have at one time or another answered “surviving.” I know I have, but according to Mandela, survival shouldn’t be our goal, but rather, preparation for the future.
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, I encourage you to take Mandela’s advice and use the time you have to prepare for whatever the future has in store for you. I’ve been doing that myself and I’m super excited about being on the edge of the fantastic future for which I have been preparing. I must admit that I’ve used the term “surviving” but what I’ve truly been doing is throttling up towards opportunities that are about to become reality.
As a leader, the people who look to you need to see that you’re doing far more than merely surviving. They need to see their leader sprinting toward a future that will benefit our organizations, communities, and world. Don’t just survive – prepare.
Lead well.