6 Quotes & Sayings By Elizabeth Thornton

Elizabeth Thornton is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach. She holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Her first novel, Vida, was a New York Times Bestseller and a finalist for the Man Booker Prize. Elizabeth currently lives in rural Virginia with her husband and two sons.

1
Many high school students are under so much competitive pressure. They are sometimes taught that if they don't have a 4.0 GPA, score in the 99th percentile on admissions tests, and demonstrate leadership in sports and participate in clubs, they won't get into college anywhere. Even highly credentialed professionals get caught up in this. Elizabeth Thornton
2
The key to creating the mental space before responding is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way of being present: paying attention to and accepting what is happening in our lives. It helps us to be aware of and step away from our automatic and habitual reactions to our everyday experiences. Elizabeth Thornton
3
When we are fully conscious and aware, we actually know when we are about to overreact. When we are mindful, we have the mental space and are aware of when our moods change. When we are mindful, we are aware of when our mental models are being challenged and when expectation does not meet with reality, which can trigger an emotional response. Elizabeth Thornton
4
One of the most powerful transformational catalysts is knowledge, new information, or logic that defies old mental models and ways of thinking. Elizabeth Thornton
5
To be an objective leader means aligning your models with the needs of the organization. There is no question anymore that collaboration, seeking out diverse perspectives and developing new ways to look at challenges and opportunities, is a key leadership competency. Elizabeth Thornton