Get your head in the right place: The power to achieve all begins in your mind

While some may blame the economy, competition or a lack of resources as the reasons for not manifesting their goals, my experience as a business coach and consultant tells me differently.

The power to achieve all begins in your mind.

Let me illustrate by sharing two common scenarios – one from an employee’s perspective and the other from a leader’s perspective – both which create “stunted growth” based upon their egos’ limited view.

When meeting with senior leaders in a company, for example, I often hear the following complaints:

• “I’m too busy and my calendar is too full. I’d like to let go more, but I can’t without it negatively affecting results!”
• “I do not trust my staff to do what they need to do to get the job done, let me know when they are in trouble or create the right plan for performance!”
• “As a result, I believe ‘If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!’”
• “Oh…this is exhausting and will NEVER work!”

When meeting with staff in a company, I often hear the following complaints:

• “I have too much to do. I’d like to speak up more, but I can’t!”
• “I do not dare speak up and disagree with the workload or suggested initiatives!”
• “As a result, I believe, ‘I must shut up and put up with what I am told, and ‘just do it.’”
• “Oh…this is exhausting and will NEVER work!”

The mindset begins with the little ego that believes it has no choice other than to “just do it!” This mindset creates a limited viewpoint of powerlessness versus one of power, because it deems the situation as having only one possibility without collaborating to see what other possibilities exist.

This leads to the big ego that pulls its boot straps up to conquer the task at hand, only to eventually fall to exhaustion and despair. Now the little ego is activated again, believing, “this is exhausting and will never work!” The result in this limited ego approach is limited results!

So what would this conversation sound like if the ego were not involved and there was a more collaborative and innovative conversation instead?

Whether it is an employee, leader or owner having the conversation, the results will always be greater when the conversation unfolds in the following way:

1. Start with the end in mind: What is our goal?
2. Collaborate and brainstorm on possibilities by answering the question: “How might we achieve ‘x’”?
3. Create a plan of action, considering S.M.A.R.T goals:
   Be Specific

• Who is involved?
• What do we want to accomplish?
• Where will this occur?
• When do the action steps need to be done?
• Which obstacles might get in the way?
• Why will this plan be meaningful to our purpose and goals?

  Measure

• Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress. This matrix should answer the question, “How will I know when the goal is accomplished?”

  Attainable

• Decide which ideas you will keep from your brainstorming session based on which make the most sense.

  Be Realistic

• With your list of possibilities in front of you, ask yourself, “Do you want to achieve this goal?” Some of the biggest goals have been reached because the motivation of love was the force behind the achievement. Being realistic first begins with asking, “Am I honestly bought into this goal?” If the answer is yes, then you have the energy to make it happen!

  Ensure your goals are Timely

• Now that you know you have buy-in, ask: “Who will do what, by when?” By being clear about the expectations of execution, you will be able to achieve the goals you set out to achieve.

When you shift your mindset from the ego’s limited beliefs to a mindset that aligns and collaborates on the goals, you will be likely to achieve what you set out to do!

Challenge: Where do you need to change your mindset and begin to collaborate on your goals?

-Susan K. Wehrley is the owner and president of Susan K. Wehrley & Associates Inc., a coaching and consulting business. She is the author of five books, and her newest book, “EGO at Work!” comes out this fall. She is also the owner of BIZremedies.com, a digital platform to help business leaders create and collaborate on their goals. Learn more about her at www.solutionsbysusan.com or www.BIZremedies.com. She can be reached at (414) 581-0449 or susan@solutionsbysusan.com.