Every once in a while we all need to hit the reset button. When projects are off schedule, budgets are blown, morale is low, sales are down, and deliverables keep mounting, it can feel like nothing is going right. It’s hard to break the downward spiral and cycle of negative thoughts. As a leader, it’s easy to get stuck in desperation mode and keep wondering “how did we get here?”

While reflection is certainly important, at times we just need to STOP and RESET.

It’s like pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on your PC (or Cmd + Opt + Esc on a Mac) when you have too many tabs and file folders open to be productive. The computer starts moving slowly and errors start popping up. Your computer needs to stop and reset.

Life works the same way. We can freeze up and stall the same way our computers do when we have too much going on and our brains can’t solve problems quickly enough. Taking a moment to wipe the slate clean gives us the opportunity to re-focus and re-prioritize our thoughts and actions.

Reboot your leadership approach by:

Control:

• Analyze what IS working now and how you can capitalize on that success
• Identify what you can control/affect/influence.
• If you can’t control it, don’t let it distract you.

Alt:

• Brainstorm alternative solutions for the things that are NOT currently working for you.
• Seek out alternative viewpoints and allies.
• Talk to a trusted mentor or coach about the challenges you’re experiencing.
• Try something you’ve never tried before.

Delete:

• Eliminate all negative thinking. Worrying will never change an outcome.
• Remove any barriers to success.
• Delete distractions.
• Stop being afraid to fail. All great leaders have failed at some point on their way to success.

Give yourself the opportunity to STOP and RESET so you can clear mental distractions, re-engage, and identify new paths toward success.