I’m not sure if you have noticed, but half of this year is about to slip by. And hasn’t it been a fast and fiery 6 months?! I don’t know about you, but for me the year started on a rather tumultuous rollercoaster. Ups & downs, plans made and plans broken; political news flashes out of the norm; expectations thwarted. In two words: Unpredictable and Challenging!
I feel though, there is a positive shift and exciting things are about to happen that I can sense, but just not yet touch. Springtime, here in the Northern Hemisphere, helps with my renewed sense of optimism. To get there, I feel the need to stop and reset, clean out the proverbial closets and reignite my plans.
As few as 40% of all projects are ultimately deemed successful. I guess it depends on how we define success. If you find yourself in the same situation over-and-over again without any major improvements, or your team keeps hitting the same brick wall and getting bogged down, there is something categorically wrong, right?
Take a moment, give yourself some brain space and quiet time to consider these five Reset Buttons. They may help you review your plans and explore where you want to sharpen your focus and initiate changes to boost your ability to shine in this vibrant world!
Be brutally honest with yourself when you ask yourself these questions:
Real Purpose:
What is it that I/we really want? Review the values underlying your plans - do you still believe in them? Have they changed? This is a good chunking-up question to ask when things keep getting stuck. It demands real honesty with self and leads to a bigger perspective.
Change:
Where can I be more courageous to change those things that keep getting me stuck? Change is inevitable and rarely comfortable. No doubt It does take courage. I love this quote by Mark Twain: “Courage is the mastery of fear – not absence of fear”. For me this is like saying, “know your fear, know the risk and do it anyway”. For you to shine, you may have to be bold!
Shift Me to We:
Are my plans too self-centered and self-serving? Can I focus less on “Me” and more on “We” and what would that look like? Will it make me more influential in my conversations and attitude?
Compassion:
Where in this polarized world can I be more compassionate - get annoyed less quickly, show more patience? A true sense of compassion will lower stress levels and increase chances of achieving lasting improvements.
Urgency:
What is the single most important step I can take to improve the situation?
Spring bulbs are poking their heads up through the soil, tiny birds are soon about to fly and leave their nests. Is it time for us to re-emerge as a more energized, courageous and compassionate version of ourselves? Don’t be afraid to stand up and be counted. After all, the time to shine is now!