As human beings, we are neurologically wired for “flight” or “fight” – that is, we either prepare ourselves for battle, or we run like hell the other way. But there is another unconscious response that we must all be aware of: FREEZE. This is when you are unable to respond, perhaps for moments or even for days. When you freeze, you have effectively disabled yourself for a critical period of time. As a result, you go into the state of suspended inaction.

Suspended inaction. Does that sound familiar?  Think about your decisions of late. Have you put things “on hold,” waiting to see what happens to the economy? Have you frozen projects and moved them into the file folder labeled “Important, but not Now“? Have you canceled meetings with vendors or consultants, because there is no budget to work with, so why meet with them? Do you feel like you are buckling down and waiting it out? These are the symptoms of the FREEZE response. You are in a dangerous position…and you have put yourself there. So why stay there? Now is the time to rethink, regroup and alter your course of action.

Get Motivated. Go Lead.

If ever there were a time to lead and to show your character and faith in the future, it is now. Now is the time to move forward: to actively learn new things; to connect with new people; to think about the future; to invest in yourself. Now is the time to lead yourself, your team, your company, your community.

Motivated Leaders don’t freeze (at least not for prolonged periods of time). And they don’t run away from problems or challenges. They do reflect, strategize and make decisions. They fight to see another day.

What kind of leader are you?

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