Command Your Life: Mental Fitness in Leadership Starts With You

Your toughest climbs become tomorrow's greatest strength. Keep going.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes — including you.” — Anne Lamott

We often hear the phrase “mind over matter,” especially in the military and leadership world. But during Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to challenge that mindset.

Sometimes, the most courageous thing a leader can do isn’t pushing forward — it’s pausing.

There was a season in my life when I felt like I was doing it all — because I was. I was serving as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, enrolled part-time in the Sergeant Major Academy, and working full-time in my civilian career. On the outside, I was functioning. But on the inside? I was mentally drained, irritable, and frustrated.

I seriously considered quitting the Academy. I told myself it would give me room to breathe. But deep down, I knew I didn’t want to give up when I was so close to finishing. With only a few months left, I pushed through — and I’m grateful I did. Not because I ignored my stress, but because I learned to manage it differently.

What I’ve Learned:

✅ Mental fitness isn’t about being unshakable. It’s about being aware. I now plan with intention. Monday through Thursday, I list only four tasks on my calendar — no more. If something doesn’t get done, it rolls into next week. No guilt. No overwhelm.

✅ Daily anchors matter. I start each day with quiet time — journaling, meditation, and movement. These practices give me clarity and peace before the day begins. They help me lead from a place of calm, not chaos.

✅ Delegate and defer. I’ve learned to ask myself: Does this need to be done today? Can someone else handle it? The answer is often yes — and that small shift gives me room to breathe.

“You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they don’t share your sense of urgency, they won’t get the job done. But you owe it to them to remain calm.” — General James Mattis

A Note to Other Leaders:

If you’re constantly overwhelmed, this is your reminder:

📌 Tomorrow is another day. 

📌 Do what you can today — the rest can wait. 

📌 Command your life before stress commands you.

Recommended Reading for Real-Life Resilience

If you're ready to take your leadership and mental fitness to the next level, here are three powerful books I highly recommend. These aren’t just reads — they’re tools I’ve leaned on to become a stronger, more grounded leader. 

🔹 Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

This book is a masterclass in people-first leadership. Sinek explores how great leaders build trust, safety, and well-being within their teams. If you're feeling the weight of responsibility or struggling to keep your team engaged, this book will show you how leading with empathy creates strength — not weakness. 👉 Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/43j8GID

🔹 Emotional Agility by Susan David

Mental strength isn’t about pushing away your emotions — it’s about navigating them. Susan David’s research-backed insights help you develop self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to respond to stress with intention rather than reaction. I highly recommend this book for anyone juggling high-pressure roles and needing a roadmap for inner calm. 👉 Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3YzUOXQ

🔹 Quiet by Susan Cain

If you’ve ever felt overlooked in a loud world, this book will feel like a homecoming. Cain beautifully unpacks the power of introverts and reflective thinkers in leadership and life. It helped me better understand my own leadership style and appreciate the quiet strength in myself and others. 👉 Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/44ZPfWy

✨ Bonus: My Free Reflection Journal

To help you pause, reflect, and re-center — I’ve created a free downloadable Reflection Journal you can use throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.

Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself through transition, this journal will help you check in, let go of what’s heavy, and recommit to what matters. 

📥 Click here to download the free journal now

Final Thought:

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s redefine strength. It’s not about how much you carry — it’s about how well you care for what you're carrying.

Lead with compassion. Especially toward yourself.

What’s one thing you do to stay mentally sharp? Comment below or forward this to someone who could use the reminder: You are allowed to rest — and you’re still a great leader.