In my quest to connect the lightness of children’s stories with our current reality, I had to finish with a few bits of wisdom from Peter Pan. Peter knew how to fly, even in adversity. He also knew the importance of thinking of happy things. The same idea goes for us. Here are three points to consider to support your move from deep concern to a positive view, if you find yourself staying close to the ground.

1. Recognize that people are watching you. Daniel Goleman, an internationally known psychologist and leader in emotional intelligence recently shared, “If the leader’s mood is positive, the team will catch that mood and their performance goes up.” He goes on to share that if the leader is in a negative mood, people on that leader’s team catch the mood and performance goes down. This is about self-awareness connected to social-awareness. In order to have both – one must examine their own thoughts and also have awareness of other’s emotions. Goleman’s words remind me of the old adage, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” While we don’t have to show that we are happy at all times we can keep an attitude of hope combined with a sense of purpose and thoughtful focus.

2. Examine your own mood, identify your feelings and consider how your mood impacts your performance and that of others. A common theme in this month’s articles is the importance of being aware of your feelings and how they are impacting your actions. To be concerned about something – like our current reality – is absolutely normal and needed. It’s how we deal with the concern that makes a difference. Do we ruminate for hours, by staying too long in the “worry box” or “the basement” as Goleman describes it? It’s hard to think rationally when our emotions are in the fight or flight mode – down in the basement, where the amygdala is in control. When we move to the prefrontal cortex of our brain, the balcony of our thoughts, we are able to calm down and think more clearly, seeing the bigger picture.

3. Name your current emotions. Research is clear that when we name our emotions, we can actually change our brain’s activation levels, says Goleman. This is one of the many advantages of working with a coach. You can be honest with yourself and the coach and speak your emotions. For example, saying something like, “I’m very worried about my staff and our whole economy. I’m having a hard time thinking clearly due to the worry,” can actually calm your brain and begin to identify ways to move above the worry, and up to the balcony where thinking is clearer and calmer.

Where are you finding yourself today? Are you flying high as Peter Pan suggested? If not, what would best support the elevation of your heart so that you can find the magic, even in the mist of uncertainty. Remember, you have been chosen to lead in times such as these! Thank you for your service!