Day 7: Your Big "But"

At the LeaderShape Institute, participants are challenged to think about what is really, truly, deeply important to them and then work towards creating a plan to impact the passion that was identified.

A plan like this includes setting goals (we call them stretch goals and manageable goals) and sometimes a big “but” can get in the way of making progress on our goals.

What do we do about our big “but” then? How can we overcome it and continue working towards creating a just, caring, and thriving world? A world where your vision can become a reality?

1)    Identify. What is your “but” – the thing (or things) that is keeping you from moving forward on a particular goal? It can be helpful to make a list of these competing responsibilities and set priorities.

2)    Evaluate. Can you turn your “but” into an “and”? By thinking in terms of “and” (I can do this and that) we are able to consider what is possible.

3)    Act. Start something now. Do something – anything – that can help move you to action. Even a seemingly small act can set forth an avalanche of productivity!

4)    Stick to it. There are a lot of distractions in our lives. Developing strategies to stay on task can enable you to use your time doing the work that is most important to you. Set alarms, create reminders, leave yourself motivating notes, enlist others to check in on your progress…whatever it takes to move forward on your goals.