Leadership Strategy - Remove The Deal Breaker to Success And Happiness

"It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull."-H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) U.S. journalist and critic

Often what stops one from getting the results they want is focusing on possibilities of what can go wrong rather than on the possibilities of what can go right. Doubt starts spilling toxins of negativity into your head. Uncertainly runs the show. Concern over doing something right the first time can prevent you from even attempting to risk and being responsible for your choice.

Wanting to be right rather than being happy by following your bliss is definitely a deal breaker to your success and happiness. There are unquestionably times you will move ahead and risk being happy. You may choose to either marry or live with someone you love very much; you may change careers; you may decide to live in another country; you may strive for a higher leadership role in your vocation/community or maybe decide to have children. Examples like these are major transitions. But whether you make a transition by choice or due to untimely circumstances, change is inevitable. The success of your decision is determined by choosing to be happy and by listening to the voice within for the answers directing you on your journey of growth and possibilities.      

The sticky point to moving forward is your anxiety to have certainty. You want guarantees to give you assurance that your decision to play a bigger game will be the right one. "Oh," you say to yourself, "if only I had a crystal ball to help guide me." The crystal ball you are seeking might have the answers similar to a Global Positioning System (GPS) which answers questions of:

• Where am I?
• Where am I going?
• What's the best way to get there?
• When will I get there?

These questions are very useful in the planning stage of possibilities. They give you a starting point and the place where you want to end up. The GPS is answering questions of things already in place and the tools to help get you there. The first question is the easiest to answer in that you know where you are in a given situation. That is your starting point. The next three answers to the questions to your future self are not in place for they have not yet been put into existence. It is up to you to listen to your inner GPS guidance system for the answers. 

The caveat during transitions, whether personally or new directions professionally, are past beliefs and paradigms fighting against change. The inner saboteurs are in their warring gear standing steadfast to have you believe that it is safer to stay put or you will end up in a worse position. They are determined to convince you that the "right" choice is not to rock the boat otherwise you will sink!    

Tips to Your Creating Your Own GPS  

• Recognize that your inner critics are not always the bad gals/guys. While they may have some legitimate concerns, it is a good idea to begin to distinguish between fear and being true to yourself.
• Assess where you are "right now" in the situation. This is your starting point to launch playing a bigger game.
• As you imagine your desired outcome, are you inspired? If not, go deeper into your GPS of self to see what it is you really want to do. When you take on playing a bigger game with the weight of "should" or "looking good" it is like carrying twenty pound weights around your ankles and the game becomes a drag.
• Your crystal ball is right within you. You may have been so busy being a "doing machine" that it needs some dusting off.
• Let go of what no longer serves your new direction. Assess what new winner competencies you will need to attain in your transition.
• Get a coach and/or mentor to help you move faster through accountability and training. Champions know that they can't do it alone and use coaches and mentors to help them forge ahead.
• Remember: Anything is Possible!

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."-Elbert Hubbard (U.S. writer, publisher)