The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In theory, achieving goals should be the same. Point A is your starting point. Point B is your goal. But there’s a catch about measuring shortest distances; the surface has to be flat. Most people’s paths to achieving goals are anything but short and anything but flat and smooth sailing. And without a sufficiently specific goal, a plan and the ability to overcome distractions, we can subconsciously downgrade goal to a four-letter word.
I started my coaching career with a bang, coaching lawyers at the law firm I worked for. I’d had some experience previously in my personal life and career as a coach, manager, and mentor, so the opportunity to get a coaching certification seemed like a natural fit. I ignored the voice in my head insidiously questioning what I could offer these successful, driven, and highly intelligent people. I went for it. And here’s what I learned.
Fleeting Moments of Insecurity and Nagging Fears Shouldn’t Stop You
My own thoughts about my coaching goal were immediately quieted when my first coaching sessions began. I asked what are you most afraid of about setting this goal? And the answers flowed without hesitation. It turns out we can all easily name the things we fear about going after our goals, and the answers are often variations on the same theme. What if I fail? What will other people think? How can I make the time to do this? How much work is this going to take? And my favorite question: can you just do it for me?
I can and will write a whole separate article on my answers to these questions, but the point is even successful, driven, and highly intelligent people have lapses in confidence in their pursuit of goals. But they don’t let those fleeting moments or nagging fears stop them.
Understand that Accomplishing Major Goals Requires Consistent Effort
Goals have a sneaky way of expanding exponentially. Deep down, most people know what they need to do to accomplish their goals. In theory, you can accomplish anything. In reality, there are many steps to accomplishing your goal.
For example, the goal of most attorneys is to develop more business, and they have a variety of ways of doing so from client referrals and networking to advertising and speaking at events. Businesses use the same type of activities. Yet, attorneys and other professionals have been behind the curve in adopting social media to build their businesses and reputations online.
This American Bar Association article points out, “As busy professionals, attorneys have difficulty focusing consistently on things that are important but not urgent.” Don’t we all?
Recognizing the time commitment and level of effort it takes to expand their business development into social media or develop work in a different area of law, many feel it’s not worth their effort. Working with a coach, however, can help busy professionals to maximize their efforts and quell any apprehension they may have about posting content, developing a personal brand on social media, or demonstrating thought leadership in a new area. It’s the same for small businesses.
Talking things through with a coach fills in knowledge gaps on what steps to take and helps organize a plan for realistically moving forward on goals with minimal distractions. Perhaps, most important, a coach provides the accountability needed to stick to your plan and avoid unnecessary detours.