I’ve spent a lot of time discussing planning and goal setting, so over the next several weeks, I will talk about execution. There’s a reason, actually, a lot of reasons, that people give up on goals even if they write them down. The two most significant are effort and time, which often break down to not knowing what you need to do and how to get it done. That’s why I call leadership an apprenticed vocation because it requires study, action, reflection, and refinement under the apprenticeship of a master. In the apprenticeship, we learn from those who have experienced the challenges we face, whether technical or practical. There is no shame in learning from the lessons of others; heck, it’s why we read books, listen to podcasts, and watch home repair videos. If you want to accomplish something, someone has done it before you. In the Marines, this was easy; experienced people, technical experts, and leaders surrounded me. You don’t have to be a Marine to find these people. The shortest route to success in any endeavor is to find someone who has succeeded at what you want to do and emulate them! Emulate to accelerate your learning and growth. Avoid their mistakes and, replicate their successes, leverage their experience. You know how to do this, and you’ve been doing it your whole life; it started at home and continued in school, sports, and other activities.
Of course, everyone has different experiences or situations, especially as a leader, so be curious and seek out several. Your boss is the place to start. She got to her position, so she has some success, but even with some rough spots, she has something to teach. You don’t have to establish a formal relationship with each of these people, but be bold and ask them questions, especially about the how. How do you balance family and work? How did you find time to get your master’s and work full-time? How do you find time to read every day? How did you know you were ready to start a business? And anything else. Be curious, collect the data, and use the supercomputer that sits between your shoulders to figure out the answers that best apply to your situation and goals. That’s what considering networks, abilities, and knowledge means when writing your goals. If you want to jump-start your progress, hire a coach.
This week, look at your goals and list the people you know who can help you get there faster, then choose one and make an appointment to meet with them. Make sure you prepare by writing down a few questions.
If I can help, set up a call at the link
Remember, “all things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts.”™
