(ADVICE IN TURBULENT TIMES)
Over the past few weeks I have had this question come up a few times with some of my coaching clients. When the question comes, it is usually at a perceived impasse. It usually comes with a tremendous amount of pent up stress and personal entrapment. The future seems bleak and the way out seems nearly impossible and certainly unknown.
The answer always comes in the form of a question:
If you were to ask your future or highest/best self to advise you in this season of your life, what would they tell you to do?
When it comes to high performance, there exists two fundamental characters, called upon often, to help solve for key decisions and next steps during turbulent times. These two characters are one, your highest/best self, and two, your future self.
When one or both of these characters are called in to help make decisions that count, they show up brilliantly, and without fail seem to always have the exact answer and insight into greater results and higher level performance.
We‘ve heard that we are the average of the five people we surround ourselves with and that high performers are always seeking to develop this core posse of influence. For some this might include more immediate influences and individuals they call upon daily, for others this may be a group of evolving mentors. I’ve seen this manifested in study groups, mastermind groups, and sometimes just simply a group of core friends and colleagues that consistently show up in a way that promotes and influences positive growth.
Now, for the grand epiphany, and to stop rambling, the marriage of these two concepts rocked me to the core. Again, the answer lies in the form of a question:
Why do we not include one of these characters as a closely held and highly regarded colleague that occupies a permanent seat at our own advisory table?
If they can help us get better results, and show up to help guide us in the gaps between where we are today and where we need to go, invite them to be a regular guest. They should be. Make sure to always leave one seat empty at the table to be filled by YOUR BEST SELF!
On another note, we know that living true is expensive; mentally, physically and spiritually. It will test you often when the natural choices are to flee from the hard and to absorb yourself in scarcity rather than abundance. The Haitians have a proverb — “Dèyè mòn gen mon” — which translates into “Beyond mountains there are mountains”. As such, the obstacle becomes the way.
Ask your future self the question! Ask the future self that has already navigated this and many more mountains. The leadership you seek begins with you.
If there is one thing I have noticed it is that people struggle because they forget their identity and their purpose. Identity is part of the confidence pathway. When identity and purpose are not a part of every day actions, we find ourselves lost and afraid of what might be.
That empty seat at the table. Tap into it. It’s here that you’ll start to see more clearly the future that can be and when acted upon will be.
Now is not the time to lay off your efforts. Now is the time to double down on personal growth and development. I continue to be incredibly inspired by the human spirit to overcome and serve. This spirit of love and service is God given and divinely appointed within us all.
Remember that growth is always a choice!
Until next week my friends, make it a great one, and remember to always…HONOR.THE.GIFT.
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