Lighter Hearts, Better Days…

I meet a lot of people.

Lots.

Politely they’ll ask me, “How are you?”

Over the years, I have tried many different responses…

You know the type…

“Good”… “fine”… “alright”… perhaps even an occasional “great”… “superb” or even “brilliant!”

You have probably tried a few of these yourself.

When I ask the question myself, regularly I get very similar replies.

Some years ago, dear friends gifted me a book written by George Durrant, entitled “My Best day so far.”

Of all the responses I now love to give is “its my best day so far…”

Listen out for it, when I meet you next.

It got me thinking however…

Recently in many facilitated workshops, at the very start of our sessions together, we slow down and check in with attendees asking them how they are feeling, to bring some clarity to their thinking.

We share a “feelings wheel” and ask them to consider how they are really doing as we begin the programme.

Over these last few months, I have heard many responses, including “excited, nervous, curious, anxious, enthusiastic etc…”

In the conversations that follow it’s clear that many arrive with light and buoyant hearts, whilst others are much heavier, often after a long day of travel.

What I’m learning is this: a light heart in leadership isn’t accidental, it’s chosen.

And more often than not, I’ve discovered it’s shaped by simple habits that quietly reveal themselves as we work together.

When we start with that kind of openness, groups breathe easier and conversations deepen.

I’ve learned that’s the best part of checking in with one another, it gives us permission to show up honestly and offers a gentle reminder that we don’t have to navigate the day with a heavy heart.

In fact, if we choose it to be, it really could be “my best day so far…”

What helps your own heart stay buoyant, even on the heavy days?