𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 …

Living life, being you, leading people, running a business, inherently all involves a great deal of solitude. Solitude – often associated with peace and introspection – also has a dark side.

Knowing and embracing both the introspective and the dark side of solitude is important for our life’s journey. 

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

• Growing up we hear more ‘no’ than ‘yes’… more ‘be careful’ than ‘yes, you can do it’ …

• Our self-esteem gets hit, we develop the dark side, our insecurities, and we need coping mechanisms to find our way in life.

• We take the dark side with us when growing up, living our lives, and fulfilling our role as leaders.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

• We live a continuous struggle to finding out how we can best behave and be accepted by the environments we live in [family, educational institutions, work].

• We learn to say ‘all ok’ when - often - it is not.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞

• Prolonged solitude leads to loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

• Deep in the pit, we turn inward and find relief in compulsive behavior and addictions.

• The pit is present in our personal and professional lives.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 

• Leaders face the challenge of balancing solitude for strategic planning and long-term vision development, with the need for team connection.

𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 

• Losing touch with the experiences and concerns of those you lead, can result in narrow decision-making, missed growth opportunities and potentially leading to burnout and reduced effectiveness.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞

• The dark side is omni and always present, leading to negative thought patterns and limited growth.

• While solitude is challenging, it offers a unique space for growth, introspection, innovation, and where personal development flourishes.

𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞

• Know that Solitude has two sides … one dark … and one reflective. 

• Learn to pause, reflect, and recognize how you interact with both.

• You choose which side you give [most of] your attention to.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 - 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞

• Understanding both sides gives you to the opportunity to better direct your behavior.

• Indeed, you can overcome your insecurities.

• To create the most impactful journey, find the best coping mechanism: Seek support.

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞

• Share this post with others who you know might benefit.

• Suggestions for how to use solitude for connected growth: use the comments section.