Progress, Not Perfection!
For the general public, here in America, this week has been a week!
For some people, they are delighted and hopeful for the future of our country. For others, they are grieving the loss and trying to make sense of what reality might look like for the next four years.
One thing is for sure. That we need each other!
We tend to focus on perfection. Did I say that correctly? Does the product briefing look superbly beautiful? Is the project roadmap perfectly realistic? Is the next president what I envision as a solid leader? Have I done all that I possibly could in order to make this as amazing as possible?
Sound familiar?
It sure does to me!
Hi! I'm a recovering perfectionist! I bet you are too (in some way).
It has taken me many years of intentional work on my mindset and skillset to not be such a perfectionist. Yes, striving for super high-quality is important. Perfection isn't!
It has lost me many opportunities and a ton of procrastination to actually make progress on what matters most to me and others around me.
Customers and suppliers don't even want it.
They want progress.
We all want progress.
We want to make meaning of our circumstances, have a clear vision of the future with actionable next steps, and the support + challenge to make progress.
Two Helpful Tools
For me, what helps me focus on this are two things:
Understanding the Change Equation
Discerning the 3 Buckets
So what is the Change Equation?
The Change Equation is something I came across from a wonderful company, GiANT Worldwide.
Here is the Change Equation:
Dissatisfaction with the Status Quo x Vision of the Future x Clear Next Steps > Resistance
If your Dissatisfaction with the Status Quo, Vision of the Future, and Natural Next Steps are greater than your Resistance, Change will likely occur.
If not, Change won't. And then you can examine which area of this equation is limiting the change the most. Once identified, then you are able to address it.
The 3 Buckets
Sometimes getting to addressing the issue can be hard... this is where the 3 Buckets can help.
The 3 Buckets is a concept that I learned from Mitch Matthews while I was attending a conference he put on.
The 3 Buckets is a great visual tool to help you discern 3 questions:
As you discern these 3 questions for your situation, you might find that you do not have a lot of control over macro-level issues, but you do have influence and control over more intimate issues to your current situation.
For example, I cannot control the elections, but I can control my attitude and ongoing behavior. I cannot control what others might say or do, but I can control the actions I take to make something meaningful.
You also might find that you can let go of certain activities, beliefs, thoughts, or emotions that are holding you back from the progress you are trying to make. This question is often an eye-opening experience and quite liberating once started.
Going through the Change Equation & 3 Buckets is a very powerful exercise to examine change and make progress.
Remember, we are aiming for progress, not perfection!
You are worth making progress and the world needs your progress!
You are a Force of Awesome!
Let's go!!
I am an executive/leadership coach and consultant serving high-achieving, growth-focused business owners, leaders, and their teams producing over $1M in revenue that are working on getting to their next level of performance. You might sense that what got you here might not get you to the next achievement. Want to connect? Contact me here!
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