It's complicated.
It's incredibly complicated.
And.... those descriptions can keep us from making progressive decisions and actions that move us (and others) beyond the complications and complexities.
Complicated and complex are 100% legitimate descriptors. And... those descriptors can also be the values-based motivator for you to do something, rather than nothing.
Notice and name your village of supports and their village of supports and their village of supports. Somewhere in your world, there will be people or resources or avenues to disrupt this hamster wheel of stress - and help you move onward and forward.
Notice. Name. Choose.
Lead yourself well.
If you have a vision, a plan, a goal, a mandate, a purpose or a worthy aspiration - you will need a village of allies.
If you have breath, you will need a village of allies to grow, evolve, belong and experience a meaningful life of contribution.
Who are your allies? Say their names.
1. Friends/listeners: they don’t need recruiting as they already exist. They know you, love you and if it matters to you, it matters to them. Ask for encouragement, teach them to not take “I don't wanna " for an answer. Ask them to keep calling forth nothing less than your best.
2. Prospects/clients/constituents: these are the people that you serve. How are your relationships with them? What do you need to ask them for?
3. Co players: sustainability and meaningful community They share your hunger and compelling purpose and are investing and gulping right alongside you.
4. Champions: these people think you are great. They will champion you always and forever
5. Coach / mentor: a professional who is committed to shepherd you through the process with rigor to help make your game real and make it happen, yet the ownership belongs with you. They will be among the most powerful champions for you.
6. Expert resources: what are the skills that you don’t already possess. Who can help you with that? They will handle all the things that are important functions for your game but that don't represent a good use of team,
7. Spirit: the practise of quieting your mind, opening your heart and connecting is a great source of inspiration and comfort. Quiet your mind and your spirit. Attach to Someone greater.
8. Volunteers: these are the people that can provide what you need at a price that you can afford. What is your contribution to these wonderful humans?
9. Naysayers/competitors: these allies help stiffen your resolve and inspire you to prove them wrong. When they point to flaws in your plan, you have the opportunity to correct them while sharpening your strategic thinking. They can drive the bar higher than it would be without their example.
10. Come in and get me: All allies are important but none more so than those who commit to come in and get you when you’re overwhelmed, when you retreat into old comfort zones and when you lose faith in yourself and your game. They never forget and they don't let you settle.
11. HEroes SHEroes: you may not know them personally, but think of those that have inspired you. Let their example inspire you.
Lead yourself well. Build your village. Initiate conversations. Keep noticing, naming and growing.
** some of this content is from the book, The Bigger Game by Laura Whitworth, Rick Tamlyn and Caroline Macneill Hall.
Some people hesitate to hire a coach because they already know the answers to their challenge. They tell themselves that they just 'need to do it'.
Perhaps the 'just do it' plan works for a few humans for a very low percentage of the time. But for most humans, it's not that easy. If it were easy, everyone would already be doing it.
Let's normalize the unique-to-each-individual-world that lies in between the gap of knowing and doing. Let's talk about that in a trusted, safe and authentic coaching conversation.
Normalize what's real for you so that you can identify the plan of change and growth that suits your complexities and challenges.
Notice.
Name.
Normalize the gap.
Make space to spend time there.
Loss is universal. Talking about it should be, too.
Talking about the timeline and the journey should be normalized as well.
Sitting with the pain of loss is terribly difficult. Also immensely valuable.
And silliness and laughter is not to be underestimated for it's healing power. It is a very good medicine for the crooked journey of everyone's reality.
Notice.
Name.
Choose.
Lead yourself well.
