Each day, not only are we expected to ‘stay busy,’ but we’re inundated with excuses to do so. We surround ourselves with devices that constantly remind us of unread emails, text messages and news from around the world. That’s without mentioning our constant reminders from our beloved social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, with its plethora of 2-minute headshot clips and congratulating people you’ve never heard of for their work anniversary.
What I’ve learned throughout years of business coaching is that being busy can quickly become standing still. At worst, out of control and truthfully, achieving very little.
I am always left thinking about one question: how do we break the cycle and find renewed energy and vigour? Break the cycle first and acknowledge where you truly are.
Being in denial and actually refusing to acknowledge that “Houston, we have a problem?”. just isn’t good. Stop thinking it’s everyone else’s problem and get real will yourself and start to smell the caffeine – it is you and only you who can affect the change that is needed. I wish I had a dollar for every time a client asked for my help in ‘sorting out my team’ and within half an hour it’s obvious where the real problem and issue lies. It’s with them. The leader. Not the team.
Maybe you have just become a bit complacent and think you have reached the pinnacle and it’s now easy-street from here. That’s ok, but just be mindful that you will quickly become yesterday’s news and your competitors and rivals will pass you by simply because they are not thinking that way and are planning for ‘what’s next?’ and not ‘Look at me!’
The trick – forward thinking rather than self-adulation.
Getting people into chaos and confusion is where I do most of my best work. It’s where people start thinking about the genuine current state and what reality is. Once the wood can be seen for the trees, plans can be forged and commitments committed to. #clarity if you will. It’s a great place to be and where clear thinking happens. You want to make a change. It is simply quite awesome.
Starting to tick things off the to-do list and actually feel like progress is being made creates a state of rejuvenation and the momentum then builds. Continually setting new challenges and raising that bar will keep you away from complacency, and slipping back into old habits. Then there is the option to become unstoppable. It’s how top sports people do what they do and why they have coaches and in the top 5% of cases, teams of coaches. They are there to push, challenge and continually ask ‘what’s next?’
So which stage are you in right now?
So many clients that I’ve worked with have not asked themselves this simple question or are simply in denial.
Each retreat is designed to get you into temporary chaos and confusion and over the course of our time together, be totally rejuvenated and with a clear plan for your personal and professional life. It’s unlike your normal work conference held-up in a grey hotel somewhere. We will put you in front of inspirational individuals all of whom will provide new thinking, fresh ideas and strategies to take away and help you achieve things you had only previously had dreams about.
Until then, here’s to a little more chaos and a lot less ‘busy’!
