Think about any goal you’ve set in your life. It can be as small as calling a friend before you leave town, or as big as moving to a strange, foreign country. When you dissect how you made it happen, you will notice three essential components:
1) You got clear on what you wanted and desired—you set your intention;
2) You took action that propelled you towards your goal; and
3) You envisioned yourself doing it, being it.
You already have the formula for making anything happen, regardless of the circumstances, the parties involved, or the situation you were in at the time. When you set your intention and believed that what you wanted was within your reach, you put on your cape and became a super shero, resourceful, committed, creative, curious. You didn’t take no for an answer, and you wouldn’t stop until you got there. And you did.
What has changed? What is holding you back from taking on other career and life dreams and desires that are palpable and alive in you today? Think about it for a minute.
Well, you may feel a little bruised—work and life experiences have taught you better, you may say. Perhaps a part of you feels jaded by the unpleasant experiences which make you believe today that what you want is out of reach. Or another part of you may think that you have too many responsibilities now, or that you’re too old, or that your situation is unique or challenging and you can’t do it. I can relate to all of these—believe me, I can. And then I pause. Here’s what immediately comes to mind.
Meet "Rose"
One of my clients, I’ll call her Rose, was in that place. She’s in her fifties and has been working in the same company for over a decade. She felt that she had missed the boat and was relegated to the role she had when we met. But something inside of her—this “thing” I call her inner knowing or intuition—kept nagging at her and she decided to look into it.
We got acquainted and began to work together. We started by getting very clear on what Rose wanted and how meaningful it was to the "big picture" of her life. We uncovered what made her unique at what she does at work and what lights her up. We also identified the specific areas that were holding her back from taking action to get to her next level at work.
Together, we discovered her blind spots, beliefs that created fictitious challenges in her life. Within five months of doing the work, Rose not only improved her relationships and how she felt going to work every day, and how much value she was adding, she built up her confidence in her skills and qualities to apply for a role that was entirely outside of her comfort zone. At times she was doubtful and concerned, but we worked through the rough patches and gingerly and with conviction prepared for the interview.
The position was a significant role for Rose, one with P&L responsibilities, a global presence, and in an entirely new business context—all the things that she has wanted. Well, guess what happened? As a qualified candidate who communicated her value and expertise powerfully, Rose landed the job!
As a happy new grandmother, in her fifties, she is starting anew, a fresh opportunity to rise to her professional potential—full of wisdom and an intense desire to contribute to her organization and herself in a way she didn’t think was possible. She shifted her mindset and began to believe in herself again.
Rose is not alone. I meet talented professionals, men and women, often. The reality is that in every situation there are always abundant choices and possibilities. What we think we can or can’t do is what drives our actions and impacts our results professionally and personally.
What About You?
If you are feeling stuck, yearning for more in your daily life, in your business and career, you're not ungrateful, or greedy, or unrealistic, you are human. We are divine beings with an innate need to grow, contribute and feel “alive!”
Allow yourself to live your dreams out loud. To inhabit the space that is yours to have in your work and at home. And if you take a single micro-step towards it every single day, eventually, when you’re ready, you’ll get there. You’ll prioritize your dream above all other mundane undertakings and dedicate the resources and energy that you require to make it happen.
So, today, your assignment is to identify the micro-steps you can implement to crawl, walk, and run to your success. To help you do that, answer these questions.
To get clear on what you want, your intention
Q1: What is that I want to do/be?
Pinpoint what you desire, small, large, you know what it is.
Q2: What will it take for me to get there?
What are some of the possibilities to make this happen—get creative and playful to surface your choices until you don’t have anymore.
Q3: What would be the purpose of doing/being that, what would it mean in my life?
This question ensures that whatever you go with aligns with your purpose and what matters most to you, in your health, finances, career, relationships, and any dimension of your life.
To take action that propels you towards your goal
Q4: What are little micro-steps that I can begin today?
These are accessible to you right away. It could be to own it, accept it, share your intention with those your trust, or research it, read books, Google it, ask people you know about it, think about it differently, etc.
Q5: What resources, people, places, and opportunities can help me to do/be that?
Get curious about the possibilities and choices that are available now that you are focused on it.
Q6: What can prevent me from doing or being that and what small steps can I take to mitigate the risks?
Identify the threats that can get in the way. Ask additional questions to help you find the solution. For example, how can I do this with that threat in the way? Who can help me remove the obstacle? What can I do differently to circumvent it? Etc.
Q7: How committed am I to living what I desire?
Many of us are busy, tired, over-extended, anxious, depressed, angry, fed up, disenfranchised. However, if there’s something we want, we make the time, get the energy and find the resources. I’m guilty of that. I even notice when I created excuses and in the process procrastinate or sabotage myself, my desires. Like me, if it’s important enough to the quality of your life, whether you’re starting in your career or getting ready to retire in the next few years, it’s the same. Your joy, happiness, and fulfillment are on the line.
To envision yourself doing it, being it
Q8: How will I feel about myself once I’m there, doing and being what I desire?
Imagine speaking with your future self. You can even imagine asking the future you, what path did I take to get here, what does it feel like to be here? (where "here" is the future)
Q9: Picture this—What will be different in my life?
Imagine how life will feel and be after taking on this desire. Focus on the qualities that you’ll be embracing as a result—and the needs you’ll meet.
Q10: What is the highest version of myself that is accepting this dream/desire?
If you can, imagine what aspect of you wants this dream to come true? Is it your 12-year old self, or the part of you that loves to learn and grow? Explore this any way that you know how. Then once you pinpoint it, validate that part of you that wants it.
How to Crawl, Walk, and Run to Success in Your Life in A Nutshell
Living is for the courageous.
Wherever you are in the spectrum of "living" vs. "surviving," be compassionate with yourself. You are worthy of all that you want and desire. All it takes is saying “Yes, I’m going for it.” Knowing that you’re on your journey will generate positive emotions and give you an extra pep in your step, even when you’re the only one who knows what you’re up to.
Rose’s success isn't luck. She got clear, set her trail, and went for it.
To keep your dream and desires alive, every day, it’s crucial, that you follow these three micro steps:
Get clear on what you want to accomplish and how you want to feel—set your intention;
Take a micro-step that propels you towards your goal; and
Envision yourself doing it, being it—feel as if you are already where you want to be.
What’s your dream? What’s getting in the way? What other insights would you add? Leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
Do you have a specific career question or a topic that you want me to address in the blog? Reach out and let us know.
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With love and gratitude,
Ginny
Dr. Ginny Baro is a certified, international executive coach, motivational speaker, and #1 bestselling author of Fearless Women at Work.
Ginny specializes in helping executives develop leaders, maximize performance, and increase profits. As a career strategist, she partners with talented individuals who are navigating a corporate hierarchy or transitioning into an entirely new phase of their professional careers.
Where do you want to be 12-months from now? Schedule a Complimentary Strategy Session and learn for yourself how she can support you to begin creating the results you want. For additional support, join our community and receive valuable strategies delivered to your inbox. Read other articles on our blog, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.