Begin With the End in Mind
This blog post was inspired by a Monday e-Newsletter I received from one of my consultant friends who encouraged employers to, “Empower the success of direct reports by asking each what they really want to accomplish as a development goal this year.” Thanks Cyndi Gave (The Metiss Group) for reminding me about Covey’s Habit #2.
So often we begin the new year with every intention of accomplishing a task(s), making a paradigm shift, or changing a habit. We might even play the mind-game of avoiding the word “resolution.” As I approach this year, both personally and with the people I coach, we might do well to dust off one of the principles proposed years ago by Stephen R Covey in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” – start with the end in mind:
“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you are going so that you better understand where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”
What strikes me is how Covey begins the chapter. He asks the reader to create a space that is both uninterrupted and alone. That is a bold ask! Given our activity-rich, jammed-packed schedules it almost seems like gibberish. It isn’t just the concept (Why) that is difficult to grasp but also the means (How) to step into it.
What if you decided to embark on two activities this month that would truly enhance your well-being and bring deeper levels of satisfaction? These activities won’t cost you money but will demand the attention of your mind, your heart, and your soul.
- Take the courageous step to block out 90 minutes of your schedule where you can be alone and uninterrupted; where you can breathe deeply and begin to think clearly. Open your spirit.
- Begin to ask yourself the questions with the end in mind. My encouragement is to write your answers. Here are just a few to start you off:
What would I like to be like at the end of 2012?
How can I think more often about things that are good, noble, and right?
What relationships would I like to nurture and what relationships should I give more distance?
What are my unique talents and how can I serve others more fully with them?
“You’re Reading the Classics!”
I was with a client a few weeks ago and after a session we were conversing about life and he noticed my John Steinbeck book and noted, “Oh…you’re reading the classics!” It was a simple observation. Yet it meant something much deeper for me.
Most people who know me would classify me as a reader. However, my reading is limited to a few key learning areas. To be truthful, I’ve never been drawn to novels or classics. My wife reads them rigorously. Per her consistent urging I may read one autobiography or history book a year (Last year it was Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.) She repeatedly tells me that I should expand my reading horizon, “It would be good for me. I think you will really enjoy them.” Her chastising has fallen on somewhat deaf ears. That is, until this summer.
As my son, who loves to read as much as if not more than his mother, and I prepared for our second annual “Man-Cation” my wife inquired which book I was taking. I was silent and then hemmed for enough time for her to shove Steinbeck’s East of Eden into my hands. Expressing just enough compassion combined with earnest intent, I got the message. My client made the comment just days later.
Here’s my confession. I had never read this classic before and not only did I read it, I enjoyed it. My wife wryly smiles at my admission. And, she is right, it IS good for me!
Parenthetically, yesterday I reconnected with a friend of mine who I haven’t seen for years, himself and avid reader. Of course, he inquired about what books I was reading. When he asked the question I noticed my overall response was more receptive. I spent the next minutes absorbing not only his interest in books but taking as many recommendations from him as I could. If it’s a sign, I got it!
With all that in mind, I share with you a quote from East of Eden – which most of you have probably already read – that I read for the first time and now on which I am reflecting:
“In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted shortcuts to love…We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.”
Respond vs. React
This week I spent time in a few different coaching sessions in a dialog about the difference between responding and reacting. As I sat down to write the blog post I “googled” the concept and the following blog came up number one. I thought she explained it marvelously. With permission of the author I share it with you.
By Carolyn Mycue
Often times we use the words “respond” and “react” interchangeably. Even when I check my MS Word 2000 thesaurus, the top synonym for each word is the other. I’d like to take some time and share with you what I feel is a very fine but powerful distinction between the two.
When we react, we are coming from a place of limitation. This limitation is the result of direct experiences that have caused us to narrow our ability to see a situation for what it really is. These direct experiences cause us to think we know what something is about and what it means to us (good/bad/indifferent), and then when we come upon that thing again at a later time we react with a pre-established bias and with pre-established behavior. Some of this type of reaction is useful and helpful, such as a reaction to imminent danger such as fire.
But by and large, most of our reactions take the form of personal indulgences or injustices. These reactions limit how we see ourselves and the world around us, and are a large source of so much of our suffering and unhappiness. They limit the possibility for us to act in a different way. For example, if as a child you were the target of a lot of yelling, you develop coping mechanisms to deal with that behavior. As an adult, without awareness of those coping mechanisms, you are probably going to react in much the same way as you did when you were a child. These limitations prohibit us from being able to respond to situations and drain our empowerment to effectively make whatever changes we need to make.
A reaction also sets us up to play the victim in situations and then we try to, either inwardly or outwardly, make the situation or person wrong. A good example of this can be seen in situations where we find ourselves saying “You’re behavior makes me feel (insert feeling here).” An important distinction is that no one’s behavior can ever make you feel anything. What you feel as a result of someone’s behavior is up to you. To use the above example, if someone yells at me, I can react from a place of feeling threatened if that’s what my past conditioning has set me up to do. Or if I am aware enough of those triggers, I can recognize that there are many other ways I could act, and then I can choose from that list of actions and respond accordingly.
So the distinction there is that no one is making me feel anything. They are doing what they are doing, and it’s my pre-established bias that makes me feel a certain way. If I can recognize that trigger, I can open myself up to new options and respond to the situation more compassionately.
So to be able to respond means I am free to act instead of react to a situation. It opens me up to more gracious behavior, and empowers me to effectively make whatever changes need to be made without adding more fuel to the fire by triggering the other person’s reactions. Responsibility means “the ability to respond”, and when we reclaim that power, we can diffuse difficult situations, we can modify our harmfully indulgent behaviors, and we begin to find a new deeper level of trust for ourselves in this world. We are then free to love difficult situations as much as we love the lovable ones because they no longer threaten us, and those responsible actions of love are far more powerful than any reaction of fear.
Carol’s Blog- http://carolynmycue.wordpress.com
Dynamics of a Transformational Person (4of4)
This is the fourth of four BLOGS dedicated to reflecting more of the “why” of being a transformational person. My premise is that if someone understands the “why” being of transformational person it will inspire them and give them sustainability.
Transformational people are externally-open!
Let’s set the stage. Being someone who is externally-open does NOT mean you need to be an extrovert nor be a person who is non-principled or can be easily swayed. Rather, it means having an openness to learn and become aware (of yourself and situations around you).
When I served as the general manager of a conference center we continually stressed the importance of being open to new ideas or processes. It didn’t matter if the process made sense and would make the job more efficient, there was some type of push-back – some more intense than others – that the new approach would make matters worse or even damage morale. We also taught our employees that owning a mistake and displaying a willingness to learn from it revealed emotional maturity and should be pursued. Yet, they would remind us how difficult it was to avoid the first response to blame someone else or lie to avoid responsibility.
We humans share a common trait, we go to great lengths to defend the status-quo or what we perceive as “normal.” Routine is not bad; mindless routine is. Consistency is beneficial; mindless consistency is debilitating. Defending a principle is not bad; being closed-minded is. The question is, “Are you open?”
How do I know if I am internally-closed? Evaluate your response when change is suggested, constructive criticism is offered, or your point of view challenged. Do you roll your eyes, huff, or mumble under your breath, “Whatever!”? Do you feel yourself shutting down; not listening? Are you preparing your defense instead of using your energy to listen and learn? Do you find yourself blaming others, passing the buck, or repeatedly saying, “No!” If you do, these are signs that you may be bordering on being internally-closed.
Transformational people – who are pursuing inner transformation and a new normal – choose a different perspective. They intentionally put rhythms in their life to support the “why”: they seek to become people who are externally-open.
- They are aware of their tendency to resist anything that challenges their “normal” and make conscious decisions to become more aware of themselves and the situations they are in
- They become avid learners of themselves
- They seek feedback and look for the kernels of truth
- They are open to the possibilities of being challenged
- They take themselves less seriously and are open to more enjoyment and fun
If you to take some steps on becoming a transformational person, step four is to intentionally look for ways to be open. When you know the “why” your “how” and “what” will have the right inspiration and direction.
What if… you took the opportunity to become aware and open to learn?
Dynamics of a Transformational Person (1of4)
If you type in “Transformational Leadership” into Wikipedia you’ll find four distinct elements described as action steps of someone desiring to be an agent of change, with individuals or a social system. While I believe there is merit in learning about “how” and “what” to do as a transformational leader it misses the basic foundational principles of transformation.
I’m dedicating four blog posts that will reflect more of the “why” of being a transformational person.
My premise is that if someone understands the “why” being of transformational person it will sustain them, inspire them, and give them sustainability. “What” and “how” – the method – may vary, but “why” is the fuel for the jet engine.
Transformational people know their purpose!
The antitheses of people who are purpose-centered are people who are comfort-centered. Their “normal” is the path of least resistance. Comfort and ease are the default. For instance, when someone cuts you off in traffic what’s your initial reaction? Just last week I must have given someone the impression I was cutting them off and I got “the finger” for over a mile. I challenged his perception of normal. (He challenged mine. I noticed a small part of me wanted to ram him.) Apparently he and I both felt as if we owned the road and his path was not going to be deterred by anyone. Sound familiar?
It’s sounds so trite but that often happens when protecting our path of comfort. When our comfort is challenged, we react.
Transformational people - who are pursuing inner transformation and a new normal – choose a different perspective. They intentionally put rhythms in their life to support the “why”: they know their purpose.
- They have a clear definition of life that gives them meaning and directs their actions. They know where they are going. It doesn’t mean they are pushovers. It means they can embrace a detour or a challenge (yes, even on the road) because it doesn’t affect their purpose.
- They have a personal mission that not only provides direction but also gives them focus and consistency.
- They have a “due north” by which they can set positive, challenging, and self-chosen goals.
If you want to take some steps on becoming a transformational person, step one is to know your purpose; be clear about your mission in life. When you know the “why” your “how” and “what” will have the right inspiration and direction.
What if… you knew your purpose?
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mark@whatifenterprises.com
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