I went for a run today on the South Downs with my little dog. We have been doing the same circuit for a couple of years and in all weathers but today was different. The cold weather had frozen some of the ground but in places it had melted and created lethal slippery mud. As the Downs are hilly it quickly became apparent to myself and the wee dog that running at any kind of pace was not going to be an option. However, we both have a stubborn streak and were determined to complete the circuit somehow! Our only option was to walk/jog at a slow pace and be very careful about placing the feet - not in a rabbit hole or on a piece of ice or on slippery mud. This became quite a challenge!

I realised, as we were trotting round, that the run was a metaphor for how all of us should be working this year. The terrain looks very uncertain but does that mean that we should withdraw or worse, give up? No, of course it doesn't. It means that we should set goals and adjust our focus and our pace. We should be mindful of the slippery terrain and be careful about how and where we invest our time and energy, making sure that we are calibrating our 'state' for success. You can still reach the same goals but how you get there might be different this year. It is going to require you to be present and mindful about where you put your feet.

How present are you right now? As you read this are you also thinking about the project your haven't finished and what you are going to cook for dinner tonight? For those of you who have attended my seminar - where's the gorilla in the room? How present will you be with your loved ones this weekend? Will you rush through the weekend just to get it all done or will you choose to be present and think carefully about where you are placing your feet for success in 2009?

With passion, women leaders!
Tracey