You've Got To Be Kidding!!
Earlier today I asked a sales rep to refer a professional in a particular field. She gave me a name and as she was extolling his virtues, I did a quick search for him on the web. Nothing came up on him besides a white pages listing. I mentioned this to her and she said "That just tells you how good he is!"
Really?!
I'm still in shock! The implication is that this professional (who is in healthcare personal services) is so good that he does not need to promote himself. Word of mouth is all he needs. Really!!
I am almost speechless. I almost don't even know where to start.
People, if there is anyone out there who does not yet understand or believe that a website is imperative - GIVE ME A CALL - and let me help you. A website is on par with having a phone. Only it's better. Any prospective customer can find you, learn about you and call you. Without a website, you and your company are virtually invisible.
It's a fact that the vast majority of people, even when given a word of mouth referral, will go online to learn more about you. Give some thought to how this might help you expand your business. If you were referred for your skills as a strategic planner and your prospect visits your site and learns that you also are a great executive coach, who works with teams in conflict and works with corporations to build vision across departments, can you not see how your prospect has a deeper and broader scope of what you do and how you can help? Compare that to finding only a phone number.
And let us not forget how pervasive email is. Imagine if I wrote to you that there is this amazing service for small businesses to help them present themselves with the level of quality and professionalism of their specific service, AND it's affordable, AND it's turnkey AND you can find out all about it at www.express-smallbusiness.com. That's 25 letters that translate to all you really need to know.
Good gracious! REALLY?! Honestly, I really will talk to anyone who doesn't understand why they should have a website.
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February 16, 2010
February 12, 2010
2010 Resolutions Series 2: Creating Powerful Resolutions - That You Live Into
As we snuggle up to mid-February, it's hard to remember we had all kinds of new energy for new personal and business goals only 6 weeks ago. The cold, wet (or snowy) winter has been long and the year's challenges have settled in. And, it's the perfect time to really build a strong resolution for the new year.
If you are following my 2010 Resolution Series, you have likely set an intention for 2010 and taken stock of your blessings and strengths. (If not, please go back and read up!)
Take a moment to review your notes and notice all the amazing elements of your life and your business. Give yourself credit. You have made great achievements.
Now let's get down to business. It's time to build your list of what you want to change, improve or do differently.
Step 1 - In your journal, title the page What I Want to Change and write out a whole list of everything you want to change, improve or do differently. Put each one on a new line. Try to write it in the first person. Consider all the areas of your life - personal, business, relationship, financial - you name it.
Step 2 - When you are finished with your list, take a look and see if you can recognize any common threads or patterns. If you do, try to write the pattern you want to change and add it to the list.
Step 3 - Now, you probably have some things on that list that you have wanted to change for a long time and never feel like you make any progress on. Next to three of them, put a star.
Step 4 - Pick 3, only 3, items on that list that you want to commit to working on this year. Of those three, only one of them can have a star next to it. And, of those three, one of those must have a star next to it. (So we are committing to work on only one super-big issue.) Write these on a new page, leaving extra space because we are going to do some exploring with them.
If you think you have your resolutions for the year, think again. We are going to do a little bit more to make them into resolutions. These last two steps are what you want to set some time aside for.
Step 5 - For each of the three items, explore and write out exactly what it is about this thing that makes you want something different. Explore it in detail. How do you feel about it? What does it mean to you? What's so bad?
So let's take a traditional one - I want to lose weight.
Why? I feel fat. I don't have energy. I don't like the way I look. I'd be healthier if I did.
So let's go deeper. What does it mean to you? I'm not attractive. I'm not as good as I could be. People won't like me. If I lose weight, (name) will like me more or approve of me.
Explore where this takes you. It might be uncomfortable to go looking, and it will help you to see the reason why where you are now is not where you want to stay. You might also reconsider this item and realize that you might want something a bit different. For instance, you might adjust this one to be - I want to get healthier.
Step 6 - Now we are going to power up each statement to make it into a resolution that makes a difference in your life.
So let's keep working with our example.
Original statement: I want to loose weight.
Maybe you upgraded it to: I want to be healthier.
Now, you power it up, so you write it as though you have achieved that thing. Some options could be: I am thin. I feel healthy. I have energy and am fit.
Now you add what you feel, have or experience as a result of having achieved this thing. Here are some options:
Your new power resolution will be unique to you because what will come as a result of having achieved what you are aiming for will be what is important to you.
Notice that as you work this process you move from focusing on something you want to expressing yourself as having that thing as well as the outcome that matters to you. Our words are immensely powerful and your choice of words will give power to what you resolve to do, change or improve.
Give this a try and if you need some help, just email. When you are complete with this, you have three powerful resolutions for this year! Congratulations!
Stay tuned because the upcoming post will help us lock these resolutions in as habits.
I leave you with this amazing quote from Caroline Myss' "The Anatomy of the Spirit."
Enjoy!
Judith
"In seeking this one right choice constantly, we give form to our fear of the changing rhythm that is life itself. In looking for this single "right answer" that will forever bring us peace, stability, love and health, we dismiss the more authentic power that lies "behind our eyes and not in front of them." The truth contained within the paradoxical nature of dualism is this: It is not what we choose that matters; our power to influence an outcome lies in our reasons for making a certain choice."
As we snuggle up to mid-February, it's hard to remember we had all kinds of new energy for new personal and business goals only 6 weeks ago. The cold, wet (or snowy) winter has been long and the year's challenges have settled in. And, it's the perfect time to really build a strong resolution for the new year.
If you are following my 2010 Resolution Series, you have likely set an intention for 2010 and taken stock of your blessings and strengths. (If not, please go back and read up!)
Take a moment to review your notes and notice all the amazing elements of your life and your business. Give yourself credit. You have made great achievements.
Now let's get down to business. It's time to build your list of what you want to change, improve or do differently.
Step 1 - In your journal, title the page What I Want to Change and write out a whole list of everything you want to change, improve or do differently. Put each one on a new line. Try to write it in the first person. Consider all the areas of your life - personal, business, relationship, financial - you name it.
Step 2 - When you are finished with your list, take a look and see if you can recognize any common threads or patterns. If you do, try to write the pattern you want to change and add it to the list.
Step 3 - Now, you probably have some things on that list that you have wanted to change for a long time and never feel like you make any progress on. Next to three of them, put a star.
Step 4 - Pick 3, only 3, items on that list that you want to commit to working on this year. Of those three, only one of them can have a star next to it. And, of those three, one of those must have a star next to it. (So we are committing to work on only one super-big issue.) Write these on a new page, leaving extra space because we are going to do some exploring with them.
If you think you have your resolutions for the year, think again. We are going to do a little bit more to make them into resolutions. These last two steps are what you want to set some time aside for.
Step 5 - For each of the three items, explore and write out exactly what it is about this thing that makes you want something different. Explore it in detail. How do you feel about it? What does it mean to you? What's so bad?
So let's take a traditional one - I want to lose weight.
Why? I feel fat. I don't have energy. I don't like the way I look. I'd be healthier if I did.
So let's go deeper. What does it mean to you? I'm not attractive. I'm not as good as I could be. People won't like me. If I lose weight, (name) will like me more or approve of me.
Explore where this takes you. It might be uncomfortable to go looking, and it will help you to see the reason why where you are now is not where you want to stay. You might also reconsider this item and realize that you might want something a bit different. For instance, you might adjust this one to be - I want to get healthier.
Step 6 - Now we are going to power up each statement to make it into a resolution that makes a difference in your life.
- Take each statement and do the following:
- Write it in the present tense as though you already have the thing you want to change, improve or do differently. Start with one of the following: I have, I feel, I am, I create, I experience, I see, I enjoy, I hear, I choose, I will.
- Do not use the words want or need.
- Now add an and, because you are going to add a second part to that statement.
- For the second part of the statement, write what you have, feel, experience differently because you have that thing.
So let's keep working with our example.
Original statement: I want to loose weight.
Maybe you upgraded it to: I want to be healthier.
Now, you power it up, so you write it as though you have achieved that thing. Some options could be: I am thin. I feel healthy. I have energy and am fit.
Now you add what you feel, have or experience as a result of having achieved this thing. Here are some options:
- I am thin and have energy to ride my bike 5 miles. I am thin and feel happier and go out more.
- I feel healthy and have energy to work out. I feel healthy and feel more confident so I have a new job.
- I have energy and am fit and I enjoy my work more.
Your new power resolution will be unique to you because what will come as a result of having achieved what you are aiming for will be what is important to you.
Notice that as you work this process you move from focusing on something you want to expressing yourself as having that thing as well as the outcome that matters to you. Our words are immensely powerful and your choice of words will give power to what you resolve to do, change or improve.
Give this a try and if you need some help, just email. When you are complete with this, you have three powerful resolutions for this year! Congratulations!
Stay tuned because the upcoming post will help us lock these resolutions in as habits.
I leave you with this amazing quote from Caroline Myss' "The Anatomy of the Spirit."
Enjoy!
Judith
"In seeking this one right choice constantly, we give form to our fear of the changing rhythm that is life itself. In looking for this single "right answer" that will forever bring us peace, stability, love and health, we dismiss the more authentic power that lies "behind our eyes and not in front of them." The truth contained within the paradoxical nature of dualism is this: It is not what we choose that matters; our power to influence an outcome lies in our reasons for making a certain choice."
January 5, 2010
My Intention for 2010
Listen, appreciate and be in the moment, trust myself, have faith in spirit, allow myself to receive blessings beyond my capacity to imagine, honor my intuition, and have joy and fun in the expression of my passion.
Listen, appreciate and be in the moment, trust myself, have faith in spirit, allow myself to receive blessings beyond my capacity to imagine, honor my intuition, and have joy and fun in the expression of my passion.
December 30, 2009
2010: Creating Resolutions to Change Your Life - for the Better!
Wait!
Before you set your New Year’s resolutions, spend some time working with me through this blog series!
The New Year IS a great time to take stock, gather your resolve and make some personal goals for self-improvement. It’s the time when we pull out that new calendar and all is fresh and ready for something new. And for those of us with businesses, who often spend time juggling more than anyone should, make this a priority and follow my multi-part blog to help your 2010 year unfold in support of your resolutions.
I’m not sure how you traditionally set your new year’s resolutions (if you make any at all anymore!), if you have a process, or just pick the one most obvious thing you sense you could improve. I propose we work through a short process together with the aim of getting you through 2010 having made progress on what you truly do want to improve about yourself and your life.
Each of us has set some resolution, only to reach the end of the year and realize that we did not really make the progress we wanted. We still want to loose weight, make more money, find that great relationship, spend more time with family, be happier, etc. How do we get around this? How do we make progress on these things that we consider important enough to set a resolution around?
To be honest, I think it takes a different kind of awareness of what to do, how to do it and why to do it. By ‘what to do’ I mean the actual selection of which elements of your life you choose to resolve to change. Choosing what you want to accomplish, change or do is not a simple matter and does require more than a feeling of frustration, a sense that you could do better.
By ‘how to do it’ I mean the actual process of selecting what you want to accomplish, change or do. As well as the process you use for making progress and the checking in on your progress. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, but having a new process or routine can help immensely.
Any ‘why to do it’ seems almost self-evident, no? You are sick and tired of something in your life and you really want something better, happier, different, right? But if you are truly sick and tired of it, then why haven’t you changed it? Why can’t you seem to make progress on that thing? Actually, I think this might just be the hardest part we will work on together. It will be hard because I propose we tackle one of those resolutions that do not seem to make headway. And the more entrenched it is, the more you will need to do some soul-searching. I’m confident that this year, we can, and will, get you moving where you want to go!
So here’s what I propose:
1. Do NOT set any resolutions yet! Trust me. If you really need one to share with yourself and others, resolve to follow this process and give it as much time as you can each month. You can certainly begin mulling a few over, considering what you might want to set for the year, ask friends – but do not set them in stone just yet.
2. Set your space to keep track of your work. It might be a document on your desktop, a new notebook, your own personal blog, or a committed time with your partner (spouse, significant other, friend, business partner) to talk about this if you are not a writer. You don’t need much, just a sense of where you will find your work to refer back to it.
3. Now I’m going to give you the first three steps to this process. Do them with all the attention you can give them.
Can you imagine a better way to start the year? This is powerful work and sets the stage for the next phase of our work together. These are small steps and very do-able. So do them! Enjoy them, and know that you are making progress on yourself in ways that will be very evident in just a short time.
My next post will come mid-January and will set you up to begin work on what you specifically want to change, improve or do differently. So get ready – and stay tuned!
Be sure and share your comments with me and, and let me know if you have any questions that come up as you work through this.
Happy New Year!
Judith
Wait!
Before you set your New Year’s resolutions, spend some time working with me through this blog series!
The New Year IS a great time to take stock, gather your resolve and make some personal goals for self-improvement. It’s the time when we pull out that new calendar and all is fresh and ready for something new. And for those of us with businesses, who often spend time juggling more than anyone should, make this a priority and follow my multi-part blog to help your 2010 year unfold in support of your resolutions.
I’m not sure how you traditionally set your new year’s resolutions (if you make any at all anymore!), if you have a process, or just pick the one most obvious thing you sense you could improve. I propose we work through a short process together with the aim of getting you through 2010 having made progress on what you truly do want to improve about yourself and your life.
Each of us has set some resolution, only to reach the end of the year and realize that we did not really make the progress we wanted. We still want to loose weight, make more money, find that great relationship, spend more time with family, be happier, etc. How do we get around this? How do we make progress on these things that we consider important enough to set a resolution around?
To be honest, I think it takes a different kind of awareness of what to do, how to do it and why to do it. By ‘what to do’ I mean the actual selection of which elements of your life you choose to resolve to change. Choosing what you want to accomplish, change or do is not a simple matter and does require more than a feeling of frustration, a sense that you could do better.
By ‘how to do it’ I mean the actual process of selecting what you want to accomplish, change or do. As well as the process you use for making progress and the checking in on your progress. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, but having a new process or routine can help immensely.
Any ‘why to do it’ seems almost self-evident, no? You are sick and tired of something in your life and you really want something better, happier, different, right? But if you are truly sick and tired of it, then why haven’t you changed it? Why can’t you seem to make progress on that thing? Actually, I think this might just be the hardest part we will work on together. It will be hard because I propose we tackle one of those resolutions that do not seem to make headway. And the more entrenched it is, the more you will need to do some soul-searching. I’m confident that this year, we can, and will, get you moving where you want to go!
So here’s what I propose:
1. Do NOT set any resolutions yet! Trust me. If you really need one to share with yourself and others, resolve to follow this process and give it as much time as you can each month. You can certainly begin mulling a few over, considering what you might want to set for the year, ask friends – but do not set them in stone just yet.
2. Set your space to keep track of your work. It might be a document on your desktop, a new notebook, your own personal blog, or a committed time with your partner (spouse, significant other, friend, business partner) to talk about this if you are not a writer. You don’t need much, just a sense of where you will find your work to refer back to it.
3. Now I’m going to give you the first three steps to this process. Do them with all the attention you can give them.
- Step 1 – Set an intention for what you want 2010 to be. Write it down in this format: ‘My intention for 2010 is to be a year... (you fill in the blank).’ Please refrain from using any other personal pronouns, especially ‘I’ or ‘my’. Also, refrain from using the words ‘do’, ‘have’, ‘not’ and ‘want.’ These constraints are important. Language is powerful and we are working on a statement of being. Take the time to really consider this one. I suggest you give yourself a week to work this one through. Write it, share it, sit with it and make sure you have what you are looking for. Here are a few examples to get you started:
- My intention for 2010 is to be a year of joyful, exuberant service to self and others.
- My intention for 2010 is to be a year filled with creative expressions of happiness, balance and success in all endeavors.
- My intention for 2010 is to be a year of outrageous prosperity.
- Step 2 – Take some good long moments to take stock of where you are today. Before we can get to working on what you want to change, it is important to give yourself credit for what you do have and value. Title this: ‘What I appreciate in my life and in my self.’ Look back on 2009 and consider what has changed, what progress you did make, what you do value that you have around you. These are the precious things in your life, in yourself and in your business that need to be recognized to keep them alive. If this is hard for you, I have found that good friends are great at telling you what you are good at, or what they see that is amazing in your life. Ask them, and write down what they say and do not edit it. See it and sit with it. Now, I know there are many of you out there who are not write-it-down-types, so you have to agree to share yours with someone. Like I said earlier - your partner in this endeavor. Plan to give this at least a week of your time where you add things to your list as you notice them.
- Step 3 - When you have your appreciation list to a place you are satisfied, show your appreciation. Some creative types will consider making a visual collage of what is on their list. Others might want to take the time to write notes of appreciation to people who are a part of the list. Be certain to include one activity that specifically is designed to highlight your appreciation for something about yourself.
Can you imagine a better way to start the year? This is powerful work and sets the stage for the next phase of our work together. These are small steps and very do-able. So do them! Enjoy them, and know that you are making progress on yourself in ways that will be very evident in just a short time.
My next post will come mid-January and will set you up to begin work on what you specifically want to change, improve or do differently. So get ready – and stay tuned!
Be sure and share your comments with me and, and let me know if you have any questions that come up as you work through this.
Happy New Year!
Judith
November 19, 2009
New Business Development Groups Forming!
What I enjoy more than anything else is immersing myself in the whole of helping someone be successful with their business!
I am grateful that I have a gift for doing so, and that I have built the hands-on experience to know how, and why, some things work and others don't. I would like to use my talents to work with a small group to help you grow your business. Let me tell you what I have in mind...
I firmly believe that at this time it is essential - imperative - that businesses transform themselves to work within a changing economy and marketplace. We all know that change is a constant; however, the changes we will experience as new financial-, educational-, healthcare-, business-, political- systems (and more), are created will be unlike anything we can conceive of at this time. The closest example I can give is to try and imagine what it might be like for someone living in 1909 to step into 2009. The way we shop, travel, communicate, work and live is so profoundly different it would be quite a shock for our 1909 person. That same depth and breadth of change is coming over the next decade. Are you equipped to move through, and with, that change?
Are you clear about how you can change to adapt and be prepared? What will you change in your company and why? What will you use as a guidepost when there is so much uncertainty? I know there is a way to make change and the unknown easier to experience, as well as find confidence and comfort in a path to success and happiness in your company and your work.
I am developing a philosophy and process that business leaders can apply and incorporate to their lives and companies so they are not left reeling or paralyzed by the changes we are experiencing financially, economically and personally. And, I would like to have first-hand experience on your thoughts and feedback about it. To do so, I am starting some small groups with the aim of helping your company - and giving me a chance to get your feedback real-time.
If you are interested and really want to work on making growth and progress happen with your company, consider joining me in a business development work-group. We will meet every 3-4 weeks for about 6 months. The group will be limited to 8 people and I will work specifically with everyone to build a stronger company that thinks and moves differently - that can find balance in a sea of change - while feeding the passion and joy that got you in the business in the first place.
I would like to have a kick-off group start either November the 19th or 23rd, and will set the place once I know where people will be coming from (Austin or Georgetown). I think it is important to get some foundational work in now as preparation for an impactful new year. See below for a summary of the details.
So give me a call, or reply by email, to get started!
Thanks and blessings,
Judith Manriquez | Partner | GX Creative Communications
phone: 512.657.5765
jmanriquez \ at \ gxcreative \ dot \ com
What I enjoy more than anything else is immersing myself in the whole of helping someone be successful with their business!
I am grateful that I have a gift for doing so, and that I have built the hands-on experience to know how, and why, some things work and others don't. I would like to use my talents to work with a small group to help you grow your business. Let me tell you what I have in mind...
I firmly believe that at this time it is essential - imperative - that businesses transform themselves to work within a changing economy and marketplace. We all know that change is a constant; however, the changes we will experience as new financial-, educational-, healthcare-, business-, political- systems (and more), are created will be unlike anything we can conceive of at this time. The closest example I can give is to try and imagine what it might be like for someone living in 1909 to step into 2009. The way we shop, travel, communicate, work and live is so profoundly different it would be quite a shock for our 1909 person. That same depth and breadth of change is coming over the next decade. Are you equipped to move through, and with, that change?
Are you clear about how you can change to adapt and be prepared? What will you change in your company and why? What will you use as a guidepost when there is so much uncertainty? I know there is a way to make change and the unknown easier to experience, as well as find confidence and comfort in a path to success and happiness in your company and your work.
I am developing a philosophy and process that business leaders can apply and incorporate to their lives and companies so they are not left reeling or paralyzed by the changes we are experiencing financially, economically and personally. And, I would like to have first-hand experience on your thoughts and feedback about it. To do so, I am starting some small groups with the aim of helping your company - and giving me a chance to get your feedback real-time.
If you are interested and really want to work on making growth and progress happen with your company, consider joining me in a business development work-group. We will meet every 3-4 weeks for about 6 months. The group will be limited to 8 people and I will work specifically with everyone to build a stronger company that thinks and moves differently - that can find balance in a sea of change - while feeding the passion and joy that got you in the business in the first place.
I would like to have a kick-off group start either November the 19th or 23rd, and will set the place once I know where people will be coming from (Austin or Georgetown). I think it is important to get some foundational work in now as preparation for an impactful new year. See below for a summary of the details.
So give me a call, or reply by email, to get started!
Thanks and blessings,
Judith Manriquez | Partner | GX Creative Communications
phone: 512.657.5765
jmanriquez \ at \ gxcreative \ dot \ com
October 7, 2009
The Power of Your Silent Questions
As you begin each week, which of these questions will you be asking yourself:
* What do I need to do this week?
* What is my to-do list?
* What will help me accomplish the highest good for myself, my clients, my company and my family this week?
You may not be aware that you are even asking a question. You may just sit down and begin to line out what you need to finish, deliver, attend or start. But there is a silent question that you are answering - and you are doing this all the time. Can you see it? The silent, implied question behind every mental conversation and action you take.
Stop and take notice of those silent questions! Because when you do, you then have the option to re-phrase or re-frame the question so that you create a more powerful outcome, week, project and life.
I much prefer to start my week with the last question. What about you?
As you begin each week, which of these questions will you be asking yourself:
* What do I need to do this week?
* What is my to-do list?
* What will help me accomplish the highest good for myself, my clients, my company and my family this week?
You may not be aware that you are even asking a question. You may just sit down and begin to line out what you need to finish, deliver, attend or start. But there is a silent question that you are answering - and you are doing this all the time. Can you see it? The silent, implied question behind every mental conversation and action you take.
Stop and take notice of those silent questions! Because when you do, you then have the option to re-phrase or re-frame the question so that you create a more powerful outcome, week, project and life.
I much prefer to start my week with the last question. What about you?
August 12, 2009
What’s your box?
If you are going to do anything with life, you sometimes have to move away from it, beyond the usual measurements. You must occasionally follow visions and dreams. Bede Jarrett
Everyone has at least one box. Most of the time we have many. We have spent years building it carefully. So very carefully we often don’t see it anymore. Or maybe we have gotten so good at avoiding bumping into the walls that we just don’t notice them anymore.
This box is made of agreements, assumptions and rules. Everything we have agreed to feel, know, do. Everything we assume is right, wrong or expected of us. Rules about how to be, dress, behave, live and die. This box often makes us feel safe, and often lets us just live our life on auto-pilot.
Recently, while working with a group in a strategic planning session, I found myself realizing that everyone in the group could not see their boxes. I was completely struck by their pent up passion and desire to have something different – for them to be more empowered, more able to direct their resources, more engaged in creating quality and value – while at the same time truly believing that they could not. So here I was with over 50 physicians, nurses and support staff who unfailingly help over 180,000 of the neediest people each year, and who truly wanted to make significant change in the experience and quality care their patients received.
And they were getting stuck in their box. They were not even aware of the assumptions, expectations and rules they had placed on themselves about how to be. They could see the scheduling problem that affected them and their patient’s disposition. (And many other problems they wanted to change.) But they could not see that the problem was controlling them. What they could not see was their ability to define the patient experience, the length of time each patient needs, to set the patient’s expectations. In other words, they have the ability to define and communicate what quality means to them and others. Instead, they were boxed in by the rules they were agreeing to live and work by every day. Rules that say someone else sets the schedule, doctors only do certain things and nurses do other things, more money fixes all problems and the assumption that everyone should know what quality care looks like.
This problem, this box, was overriding their ability to see and feel their passion, their heartfelt calling to help those who need it most. They had lost sight of, and connection with, the powerful drive that gives meaning to their lives. As a result, they are living in such a way that protects and maintains their box, so it keeps them boxed in – and it’s making them feel tired, ineffective and frustrated.
This is a lesson for all of us. Remember, we all have choice. Always. We make that choice by our actions. We can make choices and take action that supports our passion. Or we can not. I find that living from your passion is always more fulfilling, exciting and energizing. (Surely you remember the feeling?)
So, if your passion isn’t able to breathe and grow, then change the rules, expectations and assumptions you hold. Re-write them and re-make them so that they do support your passion. You don’t have to ask permission and you certainly don’t have to wait to be told that you can do it.
This is a reminder to all of us who started our company, or signed on to that amazing job, that we have an exceptional passion. Re-connect and feel your passion and take a look at all the assumptions, expectations and rules that have boxed it in. Our business passions can not afford to be stuffed into boxes. Every company – big and small – and every employee throughout every organization, is being called on to un-stuff their passions. Our society, our economy, our environment desperately needs to have the means to breathe easier and it can only happen as we let our own passions out of their box so they can grow again.
If you are going to do anything with life, you sometimes have to move away from it, beyond the usual measurements. You must occasionally follow visions and dreams. Bede Jarrett
Everyone has at least one box. Most of the time we have many. We have spent years building it carefully. So very carefully we often don’t see it anymore. Or maybe we have gotten so good at avoiding bumping into the walls that we just don’t notice them anymore.
This box is made of agreements, assumptions and rules. Everything we have agreed to feel, know, do. Everything we assume is right, wrong or expected of us. Rules about how to be, dress, behave, live and die. This box often makes us feel safe, and often lets us just live our life on auto-pilot.
Recently, while working with a group in a strategic planning session, I found myself realizing that everyone in the group could not see their boxes. I was completely struck by their pent up passion and desire to have something different – for them to be more empowered, more able to direct their resources, more engaged in creating quality and value – while at the same time truly believing that they could not. So here I was with over 50 physicians, nurses and support staff who unfailingly help over 180,000 of the neediest people each year, and who truly wanted to make significant change in the experience and quality care their patients received.
And they were getting stuck in their box. They were not even aware of the assumptions, expectations and rules they had placed on themselves about how to be. They could see the scheduling problem that affected them and their patient’s disposition. (And many other problems they wanted to change.) But they could not see that the problem was controlling them. What they could not see was their ability to define the patient experience, the length of time each patient needs, to set the patient’s expectations. In other words, they have the ability to define and communicate what quality means to them and others. Instead, they were boxed in by the rules they were agreeing to live and work by every day. Rules that say someone else sets the schedule, doctors only do certain things and nurses do other things, more money fixes all problems and the assumption that everyone should know what quality care looks like.
This problem, this box, was overriding their ability to see and feel their passion, their heartfelt calling to help those who need it most. They had lost sight of, and connection with, the powerful drive that gives meaning to their lives. As a result, they are living in such a way that protects and maintains their box, so it keeps them boxed in – and it’s making them feel tired, ineffective and frustrated.
This is a lesson for all of us. Remember, we all have choice. Always. We make that choice by our actions. We can make choices and take action that supports our passion. Or we can not. I find that living from your passion is always more fulfilling, exciting and energizing. (Surely you remember the feeling?)
So, if your passion isn’t able to breathe and grow, then change the rules, expectations and assumptions you hold. Re-write them and re-make them so that they do support your passion. You don’t have to ask permission and you certainly don’t have to wait to be told that you can do it.
This is a reminder to all of us who started our company, or signed on to that amazing job, that we have an exceptional passion. Re-connect and feel your passion and take a look at all the assumptions, expectations and rules that have boxed it in. Our business passions can not afford to be stuffed into boxes. Every company – big and small – and every employee throughout every organization, is being called on to un-stuff their passions. Our society, our economy, our environment desperately needs to have the means to breathe easier and it can only happen as we let our own passions out of their box so they can grow again.
