Breaking Through Limits workshop October 6!

• What have you wanted to do that’s seemed impossible?
• Do you get to a certain place in a goal and then just seem to stop?
• What would it be like to feel totally supported?

Please join myself and Phil Bryson of On The Edge Productions for a wonderful Friday afternoon workshop at Sheraton-Tamarron Resort in Durango, CO that will help you find answers to these questions, and to move beyond those answers. Phil is one of the world’s leading experts in using a ropes challenge course as a metaphor for breaking through limits. You need not be an athlete or in great physical condition to “win” at this fun event. The cost is just $50, as this is a special event just for Magellan Enterprises clients and guests. If you haven’t registered already, please do so! The workshop will run from 1-6:30 and we’ll have dinner at the resort afterwards. Call me for more info or a flyer at 259-4847. Don’t miss it!

Finishing

Have you ever started a book that you plan to finish “someday?” How about the project at work that just won’t get done? Do you ever get in that mode where you’re just not satisfied with the end result, so there’s never an end?

The last two issues of Building Blocks focused on Starting and Maintaining Momentum. This is my “finish” of this series.

Five things typically get in the way of finishing:

1. The standard of “finished” is a moving target
2. The goal is no longer that important
3. Finishing will lead to a consequence you have some fear about
4. Lack of adequate knowledge or skills
5. Other more important or urgent tasks take priority

Any one of the above can prevent you from completing a goal. A combination of two of more can feel like a brick wall. Here are some thoughts on how to get past these blocks.

Some tasks are easier to identify as “finished” than others. For example, reading a book is done when the last page is read. Cleaning a house might never be completely done, depending on the standard of cleanliness that you set. Get clear on what will satisfy the reason behind the task. If you want a clean house so that it’s comfortable for you and presentable for guests, decide what standard you’re willing to accept, balancing time and money that you’re willing to spend.

Is the goal as important to you as you thought it was at the outset? A goal I hear mentioned frequently is that of getting a new job or a promotion. If you’re having trouble keeping up the steam to finish, ask yourself whether that goal is really important to you, or whether it was a temporary urgency.

Would finishing lead to a consequence that you have some fear about? If you’re having difficulty finishing a resume, there might be some fear about then sending it out and seeing whether anyone’s interested in hiring you. If you feel being overweight is in the way of your attracting a romantic relationship, losing weight would lead to the consequence of discovering whether that’s true.

Lack of adequate knowledge or skills can lead to frustration and embarrassment, and block finishing. In companies, “stretch assignments” can be a great way to motivate employees and provide an opportunity to learn new skills. But it’s critical to provide the resources to acquire the necessary skills or knowledge, as well as an environment where employees feel safe to say “I don’t know” and to ask for coaching. We can all get comfortable with our current level of competence and forget that having to reach outside of that comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding, not just for the sake of achieving the end goal, but for the process of learning itself.

Other things getting in the way is a biggie. “I just don’t have time.” “I’m too busy.” Right? See #2. If the goal is important enough to you, it’s worth making it a priority. If it’s not, then Let It Go. Or find another way. Delegate. Pay someone else to do it. Revise the timeframe. Goals usually end up being some combination of time, energy, money, and ego. Strike a balance among those elements that will allow you to win.

When other people (such as your boss) are involved with determining when you’re “finished,” you may have to negotiate. Use the above as a roadmap. Let me know how I can help.

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Reach Me: Telephone: (970) 259-4847; Fax: (970) 259-4874
E-mail: ginger@magellangj.com
Web: www.magellangj.com

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