Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously... Relax!

by John Maxwell from A Leader's Heart

A merry heart does good, like medicine. — Proverbs 17:22

I work with a lot of leaders. And one thing I’ve found is that many times they take themselves much too seriously. Of course, they’re not alone. I meet people in every walk of life who have too much doom and gloom in their attitudes. They simply need to lighten up.

No matter how serious your work is, that’s no reason to take yourself seriously.

If any person had a reason to take his job and himself seriously, it would be a president of the United States. Yet it’s possible for even people holding that position to maintain their sense of humor and keep their egos in check. For example, when Calvin Coolidge was asked if he was attending the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the President answered, “Yes.”

“Why are you going, Mr. President?” a reporter asked.

“As an exhibit,” answered the rotund Coolidge.

If you tend to take yourself too seriously, give yourself and everyone else around you a break.

Recognize that laughter breeds resilience.

Laughing is the quickest way to get up and get going again when you’ve been knocked down.

Are you worrying about work this Labor Day? Worried because you're still job-hunting? Worried about job security, paying the rent or the mortgage, success, investments (or lack thereof), whether you'll be promoted or not? Have you laughed yet today? Take a break today and laugh. Plan to relax. How do you relax?