If you've followed the steps in the last three Ezines' Quick Tips you're now ready for action... your subconscious has a handle on the kind of life you really want and it is against that background that today will play out. But, as today plays out, you've got to play your part, you've got to do what you've got to do today. So, before the day really gets going, decide the two or three key things that you feel you should and could get done today. Write them down - they are today's purpose.

Imagine that the people you are called upon the lead were you very best friend - how would you treat them? Would you spin them lies or keep them hanging on for answers that matter in their lives? Would you not bother to be on time for meetings? After all, you're more senior, your time is more important! Would you tell them what you want them to do by email when they're in the office, sitting right next to you? Would you play them off against each other, play mind games with them, to keep them on their toes?

These are some of the behaviours that pass for leadership in your average, mediocre organization. The average "leader" - there's no such thing by the way, you're either a great leader or a manager (or worse!) - doesn't give a second thought to the impact that his or her behaviour has on those whom he or she is supposed to lead. And that is why the average organization is average and mediocre. In fact, that is why the normally successful organization is also mediocre... just not as mediocre as the rest.

Given half a chance, would you choose to live a mediocre life? Would you choose to miss the multiple opportunities to sail through life in the flow and glow of effortless success... because such opportunities don't just abound - you're probably going to stare a couple straight in the eye today. You won't see them, though, if you don't have your eyes open!

That is why presence is so important - it's not just the hallmark of the great leader, it is a prerequisite for living life to the full. Sadly, the modern human mind is not wired to be present. If anything, it is wired to be stressed and that will not only mitigate against the flow and glow that I just mentioned, it will kill you prematurely... you'll die young having never quite managed to live.

Regardless of who is looking up to you, surely you would like to lead your own life. Real leadership starts with the self-discipline that facilitates us taking the baby steps each day, to develop our presence in the here and now, to enable us take giant leaps that normal people only dream of... effortlessly.