I do a lot of yoga. My practice keeps me physically fit, and helps me clear my head. Often times there are great nuggets of wisdom shared by the teacher during shavasana (basically laying still with the only goal to relax). This afternoon in class our teacher, Mardy, shared this:

“Yoga is finding the right balance of patience and determination.” – Mardy Chen

I think this applies directly to leadership – and life!

Too much or not enough of either one can be problematic. Some days you may be lacking energy or struggling with difficult challenges. In those times, it is important to be patient with yourself or others and not push too hard. Other days when you are feeling strong and energized, you will be able to drum up a little extra determination and push to a new edge. Not enough patience and you may hurt yourself, but too much you won’t be moving forward. Too much determination could lead to injuries or exhaustion, but not enough can hold you back. The key is knowing yourself and what each situation calls for.

Balance is not bringing equal amounts of each quality, it is figuring out what is needed at the time to create the best outcome. Where are you at today? What do you need more of?