In order to reach your goals, you need to be ready. A good question to ask yourself is “Am I up to it?” This is not a negative question, but rather a positive one, that will help you prepare to achieve your goals. If your answer to this question is “yes”, then get started. If your answer is “no”, then identify what you need to do.
There is no reason to waste time as you pursue your goals. You want to be in top form. When you are up to it, success is yours.
photo: javier-penas, unsplash.com
Have you been caught short lately – unprepared, missing something, lacking information, short-staffed? It is not a pleasant situation to be in. Sometimes it is avoidable and sometimes not. Preparation is so important to your success. When, even with preparation, you get caught short, what do you do? Usually, you have to regroup fast to respond. Best to be honest, propose a solution and stay off the defensive. Getting caught short happens to everyone. When despite your best efforts you get caught short, be ready to get back in the game and make it right.
photo: pixabay.com
Sometimes you have a choice between letting something go and pushing it through to completion. When that choice shows up, usually it takes a lot to push through and you have to decide if you are up for it. Say, something has gone off-track in a project through no fault of your own, but you are the only one around that can fix it. Doing so means extra hours and a lot of effort. How do you get yourself ready?
There are several ways to gear up for pushing through. First, mentally prepare by accepting what’s ahead. Second, make sure you have what you need to get done what you have to. Third, make sure, even though you are pushing, that you do not burn yourself out physically. You may have to stretch a bit, but then you can make sure to make space to rest once you are done.
If you feel you cannot push through alone and get a job done, ask for and get the help you need. Pushing through is not an every day thing; however pushing through, when it’s warranted, helps your career and has many rewards.
photo: tacofleur, pixabay.com
When you look at this photo, what thoughts and feelings does it evoke? Perhaps anticipation? Maybe dread? Does it spur you to action or turn you away?
Yes, 2018 is loading. Ready or not, here it comes.
photo: geralt, pixabay.com
There are times when you are stretched. You may be taking on a new project, facing a challenge or reaching for the next level in your career. To get where you want to be, you may have to build yourself up.
Do you know what builds you up? Perhaps it is knowledge, support from others, staying in balance or having courage. The next time a challenge presents itself, know what builds you up, employ it and you will soar!
photo: Efraimstochter, pixabay.com
Flying high takes preparation. Are you soaring now? Is there a place you’d like to soar to? If you know, name it. Then, get in gear by identifying what you need to do to get there.
Your preparation may involve developing a skill, raising some money, getting advice or doing some research. Start putting things in place and set a specific goal to be ready to soar by a certain time.
You know you are capable of soaring. Things look a lot better when you do. The preparation and then the soaring bring you and your career to great heights and lead you to fulfillment and happiness.
What do you need to soar?
photo: NaveenChandra, unsplash.com
The concept of mastery is always a motivator for me. By mastery, I mean excellence and full command of something that I do. Striving for mastery requires focus, stretching, striving, setting high goals and surpassing the mundane. Mastery involves knowledge, learning and persistence. You can’t go part way – you must be all in.
Striving for mastery in an aspect of your work is analogous to climbing a high mountain. You have to study and understand what is involved, prepare yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, practice and ultimately, excel. It is not only about climbing the mountain, but also about how you grow in the process.
Is there something you think is worthwhile to master? When will you start?
photo: stocksnap.io
When I am working with clients who are preparing for an important event or meeting, we often use a tool named “Who Am I?” I first used the tool with a client who was uncertain of how he would present himself at an upcoming conference where he would be meeting people for the first time. Our purpose was to find a way that he could center, build his confidence and handle himself well.
The tool works like this:
• prior to a meeting or event, take time to identify who will be there and how you fit in (set the context)
• identify why you are attending and why you belong there (center yourself)
• take time to lay out what you want to say about yourself when you meet people and what you will say about why you are there (presenting yourself)
• identify any doubts or insecurities you have about the meeting and address them, so you are not caught off guard – in some cases there may not be anything to do about them, but decide how you will handle them – in other cases, chase them away (build confidence)
• identify 3 or more goals that you have for the event or meeting (focus yourself on results)
So often, preparation marks the difference between success and failure. Staying centered and focused goes a long way in building your confidence and reaching your goals.
photo: Salvatore Vuono, FreeDigitaPhotos.net
One of the most significant professional lessons I’ve learned relates to the importance of preparation. In my early career, I would often go to meetings, that did not ask participants for specific preparation, trusting my general knowledge and my ability to respond in the moment. What I began to find, at some meetings, was that others had prepared for the meeting in ways I had not and that gave them an advantage. Their advantage lay in anticipating the interpersonal dynamics of a meeting by giving thought to who was attending, brushing up on the subject matter ahead of time or thinking out their own goals for the meeting and what results they wanted from it.
Preparation puts you in a place of confidence. With preparation you can influence outcomes, avoid unnecessary clashes and shine in front of others. Preparation is well worth the effort – embrace the advantage it gives you.
photo: Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net