Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get just a sliver of all that bail-out money going around? Hey, a fella can dream, right? Well, yes we can all dream, but we shouldn’t be spending too much time with our heads in the clouds . . . or buried in the sand right now.
Are you finding yourself wandering the internet? Spending too much time on facebook? Caught up twittering?
For me, my stimulus package is (1) another cup of coffee and (2) how should I be looking at my business right now. What’s my current perspective and is there another way to look at what seems to be a sound business model?
Sometimes we all get that “stuck” feeling, in fact, sometimes that feeling is overwhelming. I want to share a couple exercises I use with myself and with my clients when that stuck spot presents itself. First, draw a tic-tac-toe board on a piece of paper. In the middle square write down the issue/situation that’s feeling like: “I’m cornered, there’s no way out, I don’t know what to do.” Now, in one of the outside boxes write down your current perspective on the issue/situation. Really dig into this, rummage around your deepest feelings, don’t be in a hurry, get it all out, exhaust everything you’re feeling about this issue/situation, write down all the emotions, feelings, etc. you have about this issue/situation. When you’ve explored your current view point on the issue/situation completely, take a deep breath . . . shrug your shoulders a couple times and then we’ll move on.
Stuck issue
Current
Perspective
Next, choose one of the remaining boxes/cells and choose a different perspective. I know this may sound a little silly, but I’d like you to physically move. If you’re sitting at your desk, get up a move to the other side. Now, assign a different perspective from this new vantage point. This perspective could be from the viewpoint of your boss or a subordinate or a colleague/peer. What would this person’s perspective be regarding this issue/situation? Look at this from that perspective - do not be influenced by your own perspective, you’ve got plenty of notes on that perspective already – and write down the points of view from that person’s perspective. Continue exploring different perspectives from the remaining boxes/cells. Have fun with this. For example, assign a cell to your significant other, assign another to Elvis, assign another to the bird that just flew over the building, etc.
When you’ve got your eight different perspectives completed you should first feel much less “stuck.” This simple process can be incredibly freeing. Next, choose one of those perspectives as your course of action or behavior. Of course, you can pick any combination of new perspectives from the exercise that make sense and give you energy around the issue.
A second exercise is to make two columns on a blank sheet of paper. Looking back over the past 12 months as well as the months ahead, write down in one column all the things working for you. In the other column, write down what needs adjusting. Having this in front of you will help clarify and quantify and prioritize where you want to be focusing your time, attention and energy. Spend some time brainstorming on ways to make small adjustments that will give you a positive return.
These are uncertain times. We all have moments of wonder – and fear – of where’s this all going, what does it mean to me, and my family, and my career? This is a time to be proactive and to be impatient. I urge you to try the exercises above. They may read a little too cutesy or “coachy,” but they really work. You’ll feel more in control and the uncertainty that’s out there won’t be so daunting.
As always, if you’d like to talk more contact me at 763-521-003 or steve@dreamengineering.com.