By Tracy Laverty

A well-known allegory suggests, “Fish don’t talk about the water”—it’s their entire world, so familiar they barely notice it. Similarly, we navigate our lives within a personal “bubble”—a constructed reality shaped by our environment, beliefs, and mindset. Without intentional reflection, we may not recognize its influence.

Is Your Bubble Empowering You?
Consider this critical question: Is your personal, mental, and emotional environment—your “water”—propelling you toward your goals or holding you back?
Understanding your bubble is a transformative step toward aligning your life with your values and aspirations. When feeling stuck, it’s common to think:

• “If only others understood my circumstances…”
• “If only you knew the challenges I face…”
• “I don’t have enough time.”

These sentiments, while valid, often point to a deeper issue: a lack of awareness about the role we play in shaping our reality. Recognizing this empowers us to take ownership and make intentional changes.

Owning Your Bubble
Self-awareness is the foundation of change. Reflect on areas of your life where you feel fulfilled and energized. What beliefs drive those successes? For instance, a belief like “I am capable and resourceful” might fuel your professional achievements. The good news? You can apply this strength to other areas of your life that need transformation.

Reshaping Your Reality
Identify one area of your life you’d like to improve. Are your thoughts in this area supportive or limiting? For example, if you find yourself thinking, “I’m overwhelmed, and there’s nothing I can do,” that belief reinforces a stagnant bubble. At JMR, we partner with you to challenge limiting beliefs and foster a mindset that supports your well-being and success, turning stagnant waters into a vibrant, flowing spring.

Let’s Start a Conversation
We invite you and your team to reflect on these three questions:

1. What is the “water” you’re swimming in—your current environment and mindset?
2. Is it fostering your growth or creating limitations?
3. What is one belief you can strengthen or shift to build the life you envision?

At JMR, we’re eager to hear your insights and support you in shaping a bubble that empowers you.

Introductory Offers

1. Complimentary Jungian-Based Leadership Profile: Discover your natural leadership style.
2. Free 1:1 Consultation with Tracy Laverty: Discuss the three powerful questions above.
3. Join Our Community: Subscribe to our weekly Leader-to-Leader emails or attend our upcoming educational events at www.johnruh.com (see our Red Button Specials).

Contact Darlene Ruh at darlene@johnruh.com or 773-775-6636 to take advantage of these opportunities.

About Tracy Laverty
Tracy Laverty is an exceptional executive coach with a 5-star reputation, specializing in leadership development, continuous improvement, and JMR’s Women Empowering Women Peer Group initiative, a cornerstone of our Culture-Based Leadership Program. If you are interested in connecting with Tracy, feel free to email her at tracy.e.laverty@gmail.com or 312-922-2259.

You:

• Are the leader of your life and master of your craft.
• Have an inner control system that Dr. Hal Stone brilliantly calls your “Operating Ego.”
• Can awaken the leader in you by Stopping, Engaging in introspection, and learning to Understand, Accept, and Support your operating ego wisely.

Note: If you do not buy into the three premises above, stop reading now!

The Awakened Leader

1. Sees both opportunities and reality more clearly.
2. Has choices that remain unseen to those who are asleep.
3. Is generally more accepting and less stressed because they perceive reality more accurately. (Acceptance in this context does not mean condoning unacceptable behavior or liking the circumstances—it simply means acknowledging reality and moving forward faster.)

Three Key Habits to Become An Awakened Leader

1. Stopping
   All Level 3 leaders I know practice some form of stopping. They pause to better see both reality and opportunity.
2. Looking Inside
   To better understand, accept, and support their operating ego, awakened leaders engage in deep introspection. Suggested reading: Are You Chasing Your Tail? johnruh.com/are-you-chasing-your-tail/
3. Practicing Daily
   This is often the most challenging part. Awakened leaders make self-awareness and ego management a daily habit, much like brushing their teeth or an athlete training. True mastery—achieved by few—only comes through consistent practice.

What You Need to Understand Before Becoming an Awakened Leader

1. You are not your ego which is a difficult concept to grasp. And then you must learn to separate from it—what some call “Benching Your Ego.”
2. Making this a daily habit is more difficult and requires commitment.
3. The practice becomes even harder with age.
   Ram Dass brilliantly said, “Health is a formidable opponent to consciousness.”
   While aging may bring wisdom, maintaining this practice becomes increasingly difficult as loss gets in the way.

So Now What?
Ultimately, the choice is yours. As the leader of your life and master of your craft, whether you are a student, retired, or in any profession—this journey is about understanding, accepting, and wisely supporting your ego.

Additional Resources to Support Your Journey

• Carl Jung Executive Summary johnruh.com/carl-jung-executive-summary
• Are You Chasing Your Tail? johnruh.com/are-you-chasing-your-tail/
• Victimization Creates Unnecessary Stress johnruh.com/victimization-creates-unnecessary-stress/