Think about your path to achieving the professional success you have experienced thus far. What characteristics about yourself helped you get here? What is it about you that separates you from everyone else? Now, is there a chance that the things that got you here are the same characteristics that might hold you back in the future? Actually, Yes! If you don’t believe me, here are some examples:

1. You are patient and empathetic so others rely on your guidance and council. As a result, your fear of being unavailable causes you to work late nights because you spend more time solving other people’s problems.

2. You are detail-oriented and you are dedicated to perfection. As a result, you aren’t willing to relinquish control, and you aren’t able to accept help from others because nobody can do it as well as you.

3. You are a “do-er” and complete more work throughout the day than some do in several. You don’t have time for small talk, so you miss out on building personal relationships with co-workers.

So the question becomes, “How do we stay ‘great?'” Here’s what you do:

Face the Fear
It is not realistic for a person to be all things to all people. At the same time, many of us sense deep inside that there is something else waiting for us. We just need to be courageous enough to create space to discover what it is.

You must release your grip on your current identity in order to allow yourself to transform. Accept that you cannot be both the person you want to be AND the person you currently are. You have to choose!

What holds most back from creating this space is fear of change. Change shifts where we find security and stability, so fear is only a natural reaction. Where people mess up is by fostering that fear by only focusing on the negative possibilities. Think about both sides and be fair to yourself.

Be Brave Enough to Suck
It’s okay to fail. Seriously! Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if it means you will not do a good job. Everyone who was ever “great” at something had the courage to try and had gradual improvement over time.

As Jake the Dog from the TV Show Adventure Time once said, “Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something!”

The key to freedom is allowing yourself to evolve and bravely suck at something new!

Will You Pay the Price?

So why don’t many of us change? Simply put, the rewards of these changes are in the future, when the discomfort and discipline are in the present. When you don’t have a powerful “why” to your change, you will be a thermostat. You’ll work as hard as necessary to keep your life temperature comfortable, and when it reaches that sweet spot, you’ll slow down and not work as hard.

Discussing change and goals can be inspiring! Yet, n practice, it can be tough or awkward to discuss the discipline needed to reach those goals. Being a great leader and professional in the workplace costs a price. Ask yourself if you are willing to pay that price and practically think through what that looks like for you.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to maintain or growing a greater you!

About Us:

With over 90 years of logistic experience, Top Talent has been committed to “Finding people who make a difference” for its clients. To learn more about successful strategies for getting those impact players and game-changers on your team, reach out to us today.

– Michael Monson
Top Talent LLC
President and CEO
Email: mike@toptalentllc.net