The headine of this post may look little deceiving, but it isn't, even though the topic is a quick, self-image gut check. Good way to start the week, no?
Here's what happened. I was re-reading a book by one of my favorite business authors, and I finally arrived at the very last section. When I did, I immediately forgot everything I had read to that point, because the words leaped off the page and grabbed me by the throat. Figuratively speaking, of course.
The words that riveted my attention and drove other thoughts from my head concerned self-image. "Want to know what your self image is?", the author asked. "It's very simple...just take a look at your life right now. That is your self image."
Ouch! If you asked me, I would tell you that I'm not comfortable where I am in my business growth, or in my personal fitness, or in my time management. And yet...here I am. Maybe growing and progressing a little, maybe, but basically staying right where I am. That can only mean that I'm comfortable thinking of myself as worthy of my present circumstances. Not a terribly flattering self-asssessment!
What I believe my self image to be, what I would like it to be and what it actually is are three separate and distinct entities. With any luck, and with a little effort at changing my thoughts, they can overlap completely. I can spot others whose self images are in alignment--their words and their behavior match, AND their words and behavior are growth-oriented. It's also easy to spot people whose self images (perceived, actual and ideal) are out of alignment. Phrases like "I really need to..." or "I just have to..." or "I'll start/stop when..." signal a disconnect between stated and real self image.
So, does anything need to change? There is peace of mind in congruence, so "choosing a lane" is a good first step. Which self image will lead? "Name it and claim it" puts the behavior at the fore. It may be a little uncomfortable to say, "I'm going to stay twenty pounds overweight", but verbally acknowledging what is happening anyway is one way to get congruence. "When it bothers you enough, you'll do something about it," gives the stated self image precedence, and brings the behavior closer to the words.
How is your self image? Is your comfort zone at a lower level than you like to admit? Are you walking the talk? Is your self image allowing you to grow, or is it holding you back? The good news: harnessing the power of your self image is only a thought away.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Thursday, April 30, 2015
It's The "What", NOT The "How"
Have you ever had one of those one-hundred-eighty-degree turns in your outlook on life? If so, this is one of them! If not, get ready...
I have business goals. I have personal goals. Knowing myself as long as I have, I've become fairly adept at setting attainable personal goals and mapping out how to reach them, keeping my strengths and weaknesses in mind. Business goals are another species all together.
Perhaps you have had performance reviews at work, where you are supposed to set new goals for the year or the quarter. I've had those. Maybe you are the boss and get to set your own revenue goals for the year or the quarter. I'm in that position now. Here is what makes business goal-setting different:
If my personal goals are weight loss and fitness, I have almost exclusive control over those. I can choose what to put in my mouth for meals and snacks. I can choose what activities to put on hold or move around so that I have time for fitness. I can not only set my goals, I can determine, for the most part, how I will reach my goals. Do this...don't do that.
Business goals have very little real control; there are too many other people (customers, suppliers, downlines, employees, etc.) and too many other variables (grounded flights, recalls, supply-chain problems, factory fires, etc.). How, then, can anyone set business goals? How can anyone set revenue goals or expansion goals, with so many variables in play?
The answer is, focus on the "what" of the goal, not the "how." The perfect analogy is driving in the city to a destination, preferably in the grips of a midwestern winter. I know where I need to be. That is the "what" of my goal: My destination. Everything else is the "how." How will I arrive at my destination? Preferably in one piece and on time, but there are any number of ways that can occur. If I commit myself to the "how" of taking the expressway, what if there is an accident ahead of me, or what if I spin out myself? I won't reach my goal.
Should I then drive through town? If I commit to that "how", my trip will take longer, but I probably won't get stuck completely if there is an accident. I can choose another route. I might be late, but I'll reach my destination in one piece, and, as the song says, "Two outta three ain't bad."
If I have a goal to reach, and decide to throw all my time, effort and emotion into reaching that goal by a specific path, I'm setting myself up for disaster. I might get lucky. I might have the illusion of control...this time. But, if I can keep my focus on the "what" and worry less (or not at all) about the "how", great things can happen. I can set really big "whats", because it doesn't matter if I can't see the "how." It will come. If I keep both hands on the wheel, keep the car pointed toward the destination, and be ready to change routes, I will get there. I will reach my goal.
I have business goals. I have personal goals. Knowing myself as long as I have, I've become fairly adept at setting attainable personal goals and mapping out how to reach them, keeping my strengths and weaknesses in mind. Business goals are another species all together.
Perhaps you have had performance reviews at work, where you are supposed to set new goals for the year or the quarter. I've had those. Maybe you are the boss and get to set your own revenue goals for the year or the quarter. I'm in that position now. Here is what makes business goal-setting different:
If my personal goals are weight loss and fitness, I have almost exclusive control over those. I can choose what to put in my mouth for meals and snacks. I can choose what activities to put on hold or move around so that I have time for fitness. I can not only set my goals, I can determine, for the most part, how I will reach my goals. Do this...don't do that.
Business goals have very little real control; there are too many other people (customers, suppliers, downlines, employees, etc.) and too many other variables (grounded flights, recalls, supply-chain problems, factory fires, etc.). How, then, can anyone set business goals? How can anyone set revenue goals or expansion goals, with so many variables in play?
The answer is, focus on the "what" of the goal, not the "how." The perfect analogy is driving in the city to a destination, preferably in the grips of a midwestern winter. I know where I need to be. That is the "what" of my goal: My destination. Everything else is the "how." How will I arrive at my destination? Preferably in one piece and on time, but there are any number of ways that can occur. If I commit myself to the "how" of taking the expressway, what if there is an accident ahead of me, or what if I spin out myself? I won't reach my goal.
Should I then drive through town? If I commit to that "how", my trip will take longer, but I probably won't get stuck completely if there is an accident. I can choose another route. I might be late, but I'll reach my destination in one piece, and, as the song says, "Two outta three ain't bad."
If I have a goal to reach, and decide to throw all my time, effort and emotion into reaching that goal by a specific path, I'm setting myself up for disaster. I might get lucky. I might have the illusion of control...this time. But, if I can keep my focus on the "what" and worry less (or not at all) about the "how", great things can happen. I can set really big "whats", because it doesn't matter if I can't see the "how." It will come. If I keep both hands on the wheel, keep the car pointed toward the destination, and be ready to change routes, I will get there. I will reach my goal.
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