To breathe or not to breathe, that is a real question posed differently by Shakespeare. The opening lines to Hamlet’s Soliloquy include acknowledgment of what is nobler, which is characterized as someone or something having high moral character, superior quality, or elevated social rank. Are those not qualities we tend to associate with leaders? I encourage you to sit with that question while you consider the automaticity of breathing that can sometimes fool us into thinking we have no say, no control, nor accountability for our breathing. Yet we do!
Life is full of choices. So much so that we profit from choosing wisely. So then, why do we find ourselves presenting to an audience practically holding our breath? It won’t help us get through the presentation any easier. For that matter, we might not even get to the end before the medics are called to revive us.
While I may be exaggerating by suggesting a life-or-death decision requiring medics, it is no longer surprising to me how often leaders tell me that they frequently find themselves holding their breath. Then they are left wondering why their anxiety level rises to meet the high stakes of a particular situation.
Hi, I’m Byron Darden with another edition of Leading with Purpose on Purpose. In this installment, we explore the benefits of deliberately breathing. I was fortunate enough to have learned this lesson back in the 2nd grade when I set my sights on becoming an actor. Not long after I took the stage, I learned how important it was to become a singer and dancer. Eventually, I found my way into figure skating and coaching.
Had it not been for adopting activities that require a deliberate focus on breathing, I’d think this blog topic was published as a filler while I’m off on vacation.
Breathing might seem like the last thing that needs your attention—we all do it automatically. After 30+ years of coaching, I’ve seen just how incorrect that assumption can be. The reality is that so much is tied to our breathing that we owe ourselves to stop, take a breath, and read on. Enjoy!
Discover The Leadership Skill Hiding in Plain Sight: Intentional Breathing