Archive for October, 2009

     I recently read an article by Rosabeth Moss Kanter titled “Change is Hardest in the Middle” that clearly illustrated to me why so many of us get frustrated when we are halfway to achieving a goal. Kanter is a professor at Harvard who specializes in strategy, innovation, and leadership for change.  She has had a successful career for the past 25 years providing strategic and practical insight to leaders of large and small organizations world wide.

      Kanter notes that it is when we are in the middle of a change the feelings of failure emerge. In her words: “Everyone loves inspiring beginnings and happy endings; it is just the middles that involve hard work.” I notice this pattern with my clients when they are in the process of accomplishing a goal. At first they are riding on the pure adrenaline of making a big move and planning the moves to put their goal in action. Part of this rush is the anticipation of the outcome, the glittering end game where you finally arrive at where you want to be. But when they arrive at the middle, they lose some of that momentum because the realization hits them that a lot of change and unanticipated obstacles are a part of realizing the goal. And for most of us, changing in the present; even if it benefits our future, can be a scary thing. It’s the problems in the middle that frustrate even the most ambitious, and it’s the place where it becomes easy to give up. But in Kanter’s words “stop the effort too soon, and by definition it is a failure”. Staying on course and working through the problems can lead to success.

     There are of course times when it is time to pull out and devise a new plan or endeavor. It’s not always a bad thing to stop a project. It’s just a matter of identifying when it is time to persist and when it is time to move on. Kanter has some great questions to examine when looking at the viability of completing a project:

• Tune into the environment. What has changed since you began the initiative? Do the original assumptions hold? Is the need still there?
• Check the vision. Does the idea still feel inspiring? Is it big enough to make extra efforts worthwhile?
• Test support. Are supporters still enthusiastic about the mission? Will new partners join the initiative?
• Examine progress. Have promises been kept and milestones passed? Are there early indicators, tangible demonstrations, that this could succeed? Can the next wave of results sustain supporters and silence critics?
• Search for synergies. Can the project work well with other activities? Can it be enhanced by alliances?

     So if you find yourself in the middle of deciding whether to abandon a goal or revise your plan, return to these questions and realize that getting stuck in the middle is a part of being successful. And if it time to move on, realize that the last project was not a complete failure, but a stepping stone to your next successful endeavor.

     I often hear, if I am the boss, why would I need a coach? In fact, I picked up the July issue of Fortune magazine an in the article ”The Best Advice I ever got” the Chairman and CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt , said the best advice he ever got was to hire a coach. He also had the initial reaction of if I am the boss, why would I need a coach? In his words “How could a coach advise me if I am the best person in the world at this? …A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in his words, and discusses how to approach the problem”. So it’s not about the coach being on the same playing field as you, it’s about being able to give you perspective you might not have otherwise. It’s about having someone to bounce off different approaches to problems that might not be evident on the surface.

     Fall is definitely here with cooler temps and leaves quickly falling from trees. Fall is the season of change and it has a lot of my clients thinking about the changes they want to make in their lives. The best way to truly implement positive changes in your career and personal life is by creating goals that are suitable, manageable, and meaningful to who you are and where you want to go. 

     Yes, it sounds like common sense, but the hard part is the time and planning required in achieving a goal. It also helps to have partners who guide and encourage you to stay on course. That’s why I am offering group coaching programs that focus on making and achieving your goals. I have two distinct six week group coaching programs.

     Are you an entrepreneur building a new business? Do you feel excited yet overwhelmed about how to get it all done? Learn how to build your business one goal at a time and turn overwhelm into action that works with your natural working style. If you are an entrepreneur who is building a new business, my Entrepreneur in Action group is an ideal way to create goals, share ideas, and get encouragement from other entrepreneurs. The group is limited to six participants and includes a one hour group coaching call and private online forum. Participants will get one on one coaching during the group coaching call throughout the six week group class.

      Why would an entrepreneur need a coach? I often hear, if I am the boss, why would I need a coach? In fact, I picked up the July issue of Fortune magazine an in the article ”The Best Advice I ever got” the Chairman and CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt , said the best advice he ever got was to hire a coach. He also had the initial reaction of if I am the boss, why would I need a coach? In his words “How could a coach advise me if I am the best person in the world at this? …A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in his words, and discusses how to approach the problem”. So it’s not about the coach being on the same playing field as you, it’s about being able to give you perspective you might not have otherwise. It’s about having someone to bounce off different approaches to problems that might not be evident on the surface.

     Goal orientated coaching is not just for entrepreneurs, it’s for anyone looking to make achievements in their career and personal life. Do you create goals that you know are achievable, but somehow they aren’t coming to fruition. It’s no secret that people succeed when the goals they create fit their personality and lifestyle. So what you need is a system that fits who you are. I offer a group goal setting class that is geared towards individuals who want a system for achieving goals. The group is limited to six participants and includes a one hour group coaching call. Participants will get one on one coaching during the group coaching call throughout the six week group class. Participants will learn individualized ways to meet their goals and will enjoy celebrating success with a group.

      The accountability factor is what makes these goal setting groups so successful. If you are serious about making your goals a reality, these groups are a perfect setting to develop plans and be supported by a positive people. If you are interested in information or signing up for these groups, please visit www.corelifedesign.com or e-mail Laura@corelifedesign.com

     I realized lately that many of my clients who are entrepreneurs often feel like a salmon swimming upstream when they are at the beginning stages of their business. They are motivated and have great ideas, but often have no one to consult about new projects or ideas. They also have to depend solely on themselves to meet deadlines or build new areas of their business. They are Entrepreneurs because of their vision, ambition, and independent nature, but they get stuck like everyone else.

    It’s not that they don’t know what to do; it’s more of a matter of what to do first and creating a time line for building the different parts of their business. When you’re the boss everyone is turning to you.  Who do you turn to? I have mentioned the notion of Mastermind Groups in a previous blog, but the importance of accountability is often overlooked. It is, however, one of the key determinants in moving ahead with projects as an entrepeneur or small business owner.

     I read a story a few years ago about a woman who worked in corporate America but had to leave to care for an ill parent. In her spare time she started a cookie business that grew very quickly. She opened her own shop and loved being the boss, but felt lost in a sea of things to do and ideas to develop and no support. Joining a local business group enabled her to meet like minded individuals who helped one another achieve their goals. 

     Besides just discussing ideas, Mastermind groups or accountability groups, help you to achieve goals due to the fact that there is someone holding you accountable to your ambition. No they aren’t forcing you into it, but there’s something about setting a goal with an individual or group that helps push you along to the finish line. There is an energy and strength in the group process that can help self motivated entrepreneur reach the highest level of achievement for their business. In upcoming blogs I will be discussing the research behind group work; it has been found that a group solution is more intelligent than the individual solution 

     I am starting a new program called “Entrepreneurs in Action”.  It is a six week small group that will meet weekly for one hour. The group members will share their goals and areas where they may be struggling. The group members and I will help them create goals and action plans. Each participant will also receive some one and one coaching from me on the call. This is an exciting opportunity to network with other Entrepreneurs from around the country. If you are interested, visit my website http://www.corelifedesign.com for more details and to sign up. 

     I often hear: “If I am the boss, why would I need a coach?” Even the boss could benefit from a different perspective when creating goals and accountability for his/her company.  I recently read in the July 2009 issue of Fortune magazine in the article ”The Best Advice I Ever Got”, that the Chairman and CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt , said the best advice he ever got was to hire a coach. He admitted his initial reaction was if I am the boss, why would I need a coach? In his words “How could a coach advise me if I am the best person in the world at this? …A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in his words, and discusses how to approach the problem”. So it’s not about the coach being on the same playing field as you, it’s about being able to give you perspective you might not have otherwise. It’s about having someone to assist in recognizing different approaches to problems that might not be evident on the surface.

     Coaching can help in a myriad ways and in various workplace situations. It can help with decision making, accountability, and conflict resolution. As Schmidt mentions in the Forbes article: “When there is a business conflict you tend to get rat-holed into it.” His coach’s advice was “to rise one step higher, above the person at the other side of the table, and take the long view… you’re letting it bother you, don’t.” Coaches can offer strategies and help executives and entrepreneurs look at the specific thought process which may contribute to less than ideal working situations.

      Entrepreneurs and executives can also benefit from group coaching. It is a way to share ideas and learn about alternatives from people who are experiencing the same issues. It can also help in creating goals and accountability. Besides just a large coaching session, it actually becomes a mastermind and accountability group. Who couldn’t benefit from that?

      I currently have groups for entrepreneurs who are just beginning to build a new business? Do you feel excited yet overwhelmed about how to get it all done? Learn how to build your business one goal at a time and turn overwhelm into action that works with your natural working style. If you are an entrepreneur who is building a new business, my Entrepreneur in Action group is an ideal way to create goals, share ideas, and get encouragement from other entrepreneurs. The group is limited to six participants and includes a one hour group coaching call and private online forum. Participants will get one on one coaching during the group coaching call throughout the six week group class.

     The accountability factor is what makes these goal setting groups so successful. If you are serious about making your goals a reality, these groups are a perfect setting to develop plans and be supported by a positive people. If you are interested in information or signing up for these groups, please visit www.corelifedesign.com or e-mail Laura@corelifedesign.com