Are You Sleeping or Awake?

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/