Your BIG WHY Matters More than Your What When it Comes to Sparking Action

May 8th, 2012

Why do you do what you do each day? Does how you spend your time actually related to your big WHY?  Your BIG WHY is that most compelling vision you have for you work and life and the spark for the projects your begin and the actions you make to move those projects forward.  As a busy professional knowing your big WHY is vital for you to engage in projects and take action that keep you focused on your long term vision amid the hubbub that comes from managing changing daily needs and a long to do list.  The more powerfully connected you are to the intention and meaning of your work, the more energy you will have to create a calm invigorating environment for the life you and work you want.

Your big WHY is a clear and compelling vision that is grounded in the value of the real materials of your life- the important things that call from the very fiber of your being. Including the people and things that matter most to you. That supports doing your best work. That feeds your soul. That brings you joy and energizes you.  So understand that you are here to do great work. Get crystal clear about what calls from fiber of your being. Honor the purpose behind why you do what you do, whether you work as a solo business owner, in the executive suite, as an employee or at home.  Your projects and practical actions will be most purposeful and fall more easily into place, whether those lead to striking out on your own, preparing for a new role or to the freedom that comes from doing the work of your heart’s calling.

Sharing your WHY invites others to connect with you, to do business with you.  What is IT you crave for others to experience? How does your work give them this experience? The answer to those questions deepens the clarity and singularity of your WHY. And your WHY is what inspires people to action, to read your blog, to try your new cookies, to buy insurance through you, hire your graphic design firm,  to try your new program first.  That is if and only if your vision resonates, striking that “AHA! you get me and I get you chord.”  So get really clear about your big WHY.

Your rational mind sorts through options and identifies the steps to take in a project.  Your primary brain sparks it-just-feels-right- to make-this-choice, emotion that moves you to part with you money, time or other resource. When I set out to revise the logo for my company, my mind said “ you need to find a graphic designer.” Perfectly logical. But then the choice had to be made about which of the apparently 500,000 graphic designers to choose.   I said right, there are lots of companies and individuals I could choose to business with, almost too many.  How to decide? Price alone? Location? This where the big WHY comes into play. It is what connects with your limbic, primal brain is the key to moving you or any one else into in to action.  In the end I decided to work with Brice Media because they believe in telling the story of people’s work and that every story is  compelling and deserves to be illustrated as beautifully as possible AND they seemed to get me. My vision. That resonated with me.

As a busy professional knowing your BIG WHY is vital for you to embark on projects and take action that keeps you focused on your long term vision amid the hubbub that comes from managing changing daily needs and a long to do list. Then you make sure things get done to your high standards in the available time and what you want most becomes a regular part of your day.  Maybe there is a little aha bubbling up, grab it, even if it seems a little far fetched. Those bubbles of insight that give the juice and guts to embark on the projects and take action you might not otherwise.

Here’s what sparked this What: Simon Sinek’s simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” Check it out, you’ll be glad you spent the time.

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Start. Now.

June 8th, 2011

“Today, not starting is far, far worse that being wrong. If you start, you’ve got a shot at evolving and adjusting to turn your wrong into a right. But if you don’t start, you never get a chance.”~Seth Godin, “Poke the Box“

What are you holding back from starting? You might gain information by holding off, but you gain nothing by never starting. So again what are you holding back from starting, that spot where fear pinched off your initiative nerve. Pitching a new feature to your editor or news director, because she may say no to your idea? Embarking on a new wellbeing routine, because you know it will be like all your other false starts? Taking your business from an idea to a storefront, because there is not guarantee of success?

There is never an absolute 100% guarantee of success, even with highly tested, finely tuned successful things. There are always glitches. Your iPod freezes up. The column went out with a typo, in spite of your editing, the copy editor and spell check. It’s hard to consistently workout 4 times a week when you travel for work at least once a month. I could go on an on. Instead I offer you the same challenge I gave myself this weekend.

Take a look in the proverbial mirror, see where you are holding back from fear on an important thing to start. Acknowledge the fear, then purposely put it aside. Layout your plan to launch  your something new, be specific in your intentions and goals. Make sure you capture your excitement about the something new in your goal, excitement is the flip side of fear. Tell someone about your something new to start. Get enough of what you need to start, then start.

Me, I am starting development on some new teleclasses and groups. Look for details in the coming weeks.

For more on the importance of getting started check out, “Poke the Box“, by Seth Godin. It might just be the motivation you need to run boldly towards your own starting line.

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Six Elements to Get and Stay Motivated

March 11th, 2011

Getting motivated, whether you are inspired to do something new, to go after a big goal, or change your exercise routine can be a fleeting sensation. It fades and can be difficult to summon up over time. Taking a little time to clarify what is motivating you to make a change and why helps you develop a compelling vision for what you want and develop a realistic plan that you can return to over time.

Taking a little time to clarify what is motivating you to make a change and why helps you develop a compelling vision for what you want and develop a realistic plan that you can return to over time. Realistic and inspiring plans provide the framework for people to take control of their lives, focus on priorities, move forward in their careers or improve their health.  Well-conceived plans are rooted in compelling vision, one that beckons strongly to you about what you want. Change is not easy, takes time, trial and correction. It is normal be frustrated, or discouraged from time to time. Being clear about your vision is the foundation for staying motivated over time.

6 Elements for Getting and Staying Motivated

1.    Your Vision: Your vision for what you want. It is hard to resist the presence of something and hard to feel and see the absence of something, so you want to make your vision “speak” with positive words, in the present tense and in first person. What kind of person do you want to be when it comes to your, life, career, or wellness? Paint a detailed picture with your words. Clarify this until it’s reasonably succinct and is irresistible to you. The questions below will help you do this.

2.  Your Motivation: Why does this matter a lot to you, now? The more you connect with these reasons the more successful you’ll be in creating a compelling vision and realizing your goals.

3.     Compelling because: What aspects of your vision are more alive or exciting to you?

4.     Your Strengths and Resources: What strengths, talents, and abilities will you draw upon? How can the lessons from your successes in life carry over to your current challenges?

5.   Likely Challenges: What might get in your way? What concerns you the most?

6.   Your Success Strategies: Challenges approached with a “can-do” attitude, an appreciative eye and some foresight, can be faced effectively or even outgrown. What support team and structures will you put in place to address challenges?

Here’s a free worksheet on getting and keeping your motivation.

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Get Motivated: On Your Mark, Set Goals, Ready to Achieve

March 9th, 2011

Getting motivated, whether you are inspired to do something new, to go after a big goal, or change your exercise routine can be a fleeting sensation. It fades and can be difficult to summon up over time. Taking a little time to clarify what is motivating you to make a change and why helps you develop a compelling vision for what you want and develop a realistic plan that you can return to over time. Like what you are reading, great, Friday morning please tune into Fox 40 and Friends, the new Jackson morning show (7am -9am). I will be regular contributor, every second Friday of the month.  I’ll providing  information on topics like motivation, keeping priorities, healthy boundaries and many others.

This week I’ll be discussing motivation, how to get it and keep it. After the show I’ll make some tips and a worksheet available on my website.

Fox 40 and Friends features all things Mississippi: medical specialists, local chefs, master gardeners, money experts. . . and a whole lot more.  If you are in the local viewing area I hope you will tune in March 11. Without your support and interest this type of wonderful event would not happen- thank you!

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Keep It Moving: I think I can, I think I can…

May 10th, 2010

After starting on a new venture be it a weight loss program, completing professional certification requirements or a home improvement project there comes a time when keeping up the effort to get to the end goal is hard. We get distracted with other obligations in life, the siren call of old habits catch our attention. Change is challenging and a process. So how to keep it moving?

Here are a 4 tips to help you feed your motivation and keep moving forward.

Impact: What do you notice changing? The small changes add up overtime and provide a solid foundation for sustaining desirable change.

Follow through: How do you celebrate your successes?  What you appreciates, appreciates. Start celebrating all your wins, big and small. Writing down a list of week wins is an easy, fast way to do this.

Rhythm: What timing naturally works best for you? As you being to focus more purposely on when change happens for you and how you’ll naturally fall into a rhythm that works best for you.

More: What is it time to invite into life/work now? What is it time to leave behind? Your abilities and boundaries grow as you change; consider these two questions to help further your journey.

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Motivation Checklist

May 3rd, 2010

Getting motivated, whether you are inspired to do something new, to go after a big goal, or to make a change an existing exercise routine can be a fleeting sensation. Capturing the quicksilver of the initial charge of emotion and determination is near impossible for many folks. It fades and can be difficult to summon along the path of change and growth. There are some things though you can set down for yourself to return to, again and again as you jog, amble, stumble, walk, run and/or skip along your path.

My suggestion is to think of these things as a sort of checklist. Reflect on each before you set out on your path. Write down your thoughts and reflections. Putting pen to paper helps to clarify why something is important and has the added bonus on helping to imbed both your mind and body with memory. Share these insights with a family member or friend, someone who you can turn along the journey to celebrate your wins and help you move past your challenges.

Your Vision: What do you want more of in you life, wellbeing, business, etc? Paint your self a detailed compelling picture in words, as if you were revealing something precious to a close confidant.

Importance: Why in the deepest part of you, the marrow of your bones, is this vision important to you? This is the heart of what will keep you motivated over the long haul. Dig deep and be real and truthful to yourself here. What makes something deeply compelling to you may not be, need not the same thing as for others.

Elements most alive: What about your vision, this goal you are setting out o achieve is most exciting to you? Most interesting to you?

Resources: The strengths you have available to you including your innate skills, talents, your values, your support network, people, places and entities you can connect to, which can help you along your path. Do you have all you need? What else might you need and where/who can you turn to for this?

Challenges: What might prove to be difficult for you? Be realistic, so that you can know where some extra energy or support might be needed to help you be successful in reaching your destination.

Strategies: What will you do to make the most of your resources to move toward your vision and address challenges along your path?

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