Suspended Disbelief

There is something wonderful about this time of year. The weather feels fresh, it’s back to school, and it feels like anything is possible. In fact, it was this time four years ago that I started Clear Strategy Coaching. Right before the October 2008 crash. Oops! I remember so clearly that my wonderful coach, Ron Renaud, told me to ignore the newspaper, turn off the evening news, and just keep working.

Starting something new, a job search, a move for promotion, a business expansion, can feel like a tiny little pilot light struggling to stay lit. In the face of so many realities, how do you believe that the little pilot light can grow? One of the gremlin beliefs that works the hardest against us is what I call the Lottery Mentality. It’s the idea that if you just had the confidence, or “went for it,” you would hit the motherlode. And don’t we all have a story of someone who did just that? The truth is, transition works when we take a measured, steady approach, and when we do the work. Here are some observations I made in the process of making a major change on the eve of the Great Recession.

• Avoid the negative voices. This can be job reports, friends, parents, and on and on. There is a great book on this topic called, “Do The Work” by Steven Pressfield.
• Know what traction looks like. You may not hit the jackpot right away, but recognize the little victories and make sure they keep on coming. An evening of networking where you have good conversations with two people, a reply from a manager you reached out to for a job. These are all signs of traction.
• Don’t be married to the outcome. When I started my practice, I put my all into my sample sessions. I still do. But back then, 80% of the time I got, “No, thank you.” Realize that every interview, networking event or cover letter sent is a chance to learn. Success, and failure, are chances to learn.
• Follow the love. Lots of people seem to “know” who doesn’t want to talk to them. And unwittingly undervalue those who do. When you are making a change, network and surround yourself with your supporters, the people who really appreciate you. It will build your self-esteem, which you need in this process!
• Be open to new opportunities. In the book, “How Will You Measure Your Life,” Clayton Christiensen talks about having a strategy that can be adapted. We don’t know what opportunities will arise when we start out. By having a way to evaluate opportunities, you can respond effectively when they come up.

Yes, we should, and must, ignore the fears that seem so steeped in reality. There is a difference between suspending disbelief in service of giving your light a chance, and being totally in denial. If you want to make a change, create a structure that sets you up for success.

Please share your own learnings about how to stay strong as you go for your dreams! I’d love to hear it, and you would be helping the group.

Warmly,
Claire