Archive for July, 2010

There is no error proof way to take a risk at your job. However, there are ways to remove some of the stress and pressure we feel when stepping out of our comfort zone. If you have an idea you want to develop or know that you’ve been playing it small when you really have the capacity to be a big asset to your employer, there is no better time than right now to share who you are.

Many of us play it small because taking a risk actually magnifies a lot of the fear we have created around new experiences. The most common fears are: making a mistake, failure, or rejection. So we think about making that step forward, but our fear overtakes us and we conclude that maybe the risk is not worth it. So we do nothing, all the while secretly craving to have the bravery move forward with our plans.

Only you can know what risks are worth taking. When you are evaluating whether you should take a risk, there are some things you should consider.

• Look at the thoughts that are going through your mind when you see yourself taking action. Do they feel freeing or frightening?
• If they feel freeing, this may be an indication that you are following the right path.
• If they feel frightening, examine what you are thinking that is fueling the fear.
• When you find the source of the fear, ask yourself if the thought is true? In other words, are the doomsday scenarios you’ve created realistic?
• Make a pro and con list. Detail all the positive benefits of taking the risk on one list and all of the possible drawbacks on another. Compare the list.
• Recognize the possibilities of the con list and create solutions for the “what ifs”. Knowing that you can handle the outcome no matter what, will give you a greater sense of confidence.

After you’ve spent some time examining your thoughts and how they are affecting your actions, ask yourself this question: if you don’t do it, how will you feel in 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years from now? If it feels scarier looking into the future without having done it, your hesitation may be coming from fear. Ease into the action, give yourself the time to feel confident with your decision and ready to accept any outcome.

What are you paying attention to? So many of us spend our days checking our blackberries and iphones, text and e-mail. We check out our favorite website and tv shows. We are constantly paying attention to so many different things that it can be overwhelming. Have you ever checked in with yourself during the course of the day?

It sounds like a strange question, but where and how we set our attention affects every moment of the day. I recently heard the phrase “organizational ADD”. In the business world it is the unending list of small tasks and the constant jumping from one task to another without a clear sense of importance. Not only is this ineffective and unorganized, it is also extremely draining on the employees who function every day in this state. If you compare this to how many of us live our lives outside the office, it’s very similar. While there are individuals who truly suffer from ADD, many of us operate in a state of interupted attention. We jump from one thing to the next in the pursuit of completing as many tasks as possible. There are a multitude of things that we complete totally in autopilot. It is this constant doing with a lack of focus that renders us unproductive and exhausted. The problem lies in doing things with very little awareness. When we learn to stop doing and check in on what is really going on in our minds and bodies, we get a better sesnse of what to focus on and how to focus on it. We start to realize the effects of our daily habits and how the way we are functioning is truly serving us. When we take the time to slow down and become aware; instead of getting less done, we can actually get more done. Why? The stress that we are holding both mentally and physically starts to dissapate. We actually become more productive as a result of reduced stress levels.

When I checked in to what I was paying attention to I noticed how narrowly focused my thoughts were. I tended to worry about every detail and fixated on small details that were not of any real consequence. It is this limited thinking that holds people back from truly exploring their creativity and all of the opportunities that are available to us. For many people the idea of checking in with themselves is completely foreign.  Here are some tips on how to get started:

• Instead of jumping out of bed to turn on your blackberry, take one minute to check in with yourself. What are your thoughts? How does your body feel?

• Look at areas where you feel you are reacting instead of creating. At work, are you just reacting to the tasks put in front of you trying to get it done in the most timely fashion or are you creating new ways of getting things done by working with others or making suggestions to your boss?

• Stop for a minute and assess what is going on internally. Is your heart beating fast? Are you feeling tense? Become aware of what may be causing you to respond this way. Take some breaths or do some stretches to release the tension.

Checking in is a matter of becoming aware of your circumstances and how it affects your outcome. You can’t control situations, but you can create the reaction you desire. You can do this by slowing down and using your attention more effectively.