HAPPY Sunday, Achiever! 
How often do you walk into a meeting carrying the stress, frustration, or distractions from the previous interaction?
What if those few minutes between conversations were actually the most powerful moments of your day?
Meet Jamie, an unexpected leader who was promoted after years of being a top performer. Jamie is used to being the go-to problem solver, the person who jumps in to fix issues and resolve crises. But now, instead of managing tasks, he’s responsible for managing people. And that’s where the stress started to mount.
Jamie had always been the person who got things done—the fixer, the problem-solver, the one everyone could count on. But now, with more eyes on him and higher stakes, the pressure to prove himself was relentless. He wanted to be seen as competent, capable, and calm under pressure. But instead, he felt like he was constantly falling short, like every meeting was a test he was failing.
After one particular heated conversation, Jamie headed into an important meeting with his team—a session that could significantly impact the project’s direction. Jamie walked into the meeting room still carrying the frustration of that interaction, his mind replaying the conversation over and over.
He was physically present but emotionally stuck in the past conversation.
Inside, a storm was brewing. His jaw was tight. His heart raced. His thoughts spiraled:
'Am I even cut out for this? What if they all see through me? What if I mess this up, too?'
He wanted to show up strong, but all he could feel was the weight of his self-doubt.
And it showed. His tone was sharper than intended, his responses more defensive. Team members picked up on his tension, and instead of fostering collaboration, Jamie inadvertently shut down dialogue, leaving the meeting feeling like a battle rather than a strategic discussion.
It wasn’t Jamie’s competence that was the issue—it was his energy. He had brought the residue of one conversation into the next, allowing reactivity to dictate his presence.
The gap between reaction and response is the key to powerful leadership.
Before every meeting, there’s a golden opportunity to reset—to consciously shift from reactive mode to intentional presence. Enter the 3-Minute Energy Reset.
The 3-Minute Energy Reset Process:
-
Ground and Breathe (1 minute):
-
Stand or sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Take three slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose for a count of four, holding for a count of four, and exhaling through your mouth for a count of four.
-
Feel the connection of your feet to the ground. Imagine roots extending from the soles of your feet, anchoring you in the present moment. This grounding exercise helps to release lingering tension and calm your nervous system.
