The past is behind us. We are ready for a fresh start and a clean slate. Woo-Hoo! We are focused and ready to roll….Right? Well, maybe not.
What is stopping you? What is YOUR missing piece?
My latest blog post is not your typical “new year’s” message. I find there are people like me who, after all their planning, visioning, and goal setting still find they are seeking something more….that missing piece! If you’ve had that nagging feeling I am talking about, read on and discover the 3 Common Traps of the Visionary Leader.
Do you need affirmation? I find many entrepreneurial types sabotage success by seeking to continually re-affirm their efforts, focus, and endeavor. This is not the same as asking for customer feedback but rather seeking to have our doubts relieved. The challenge we create for ourselves by seeking external validation, many times in the wrong places, we confirm our own fears which keeps us on an emotional roller coaster.
Here are some common questions I’ve found we want answered:
My latest blog post is not your typical “new year’s” message. I find there are people like me who, after all their planning, visioning, and goal setting still find they are seeking something more….that missing piece! If you’ve had that nagging feeling I am talking about, read on and discover the 3 Common Traps of the Visionary Leader.
Do you need affirmation? I find many entrepreneurial types sabotage success by seeking to continually re-affirm their efforts, focus, and endeavor. This is not the same as asking for customer feedback but rather seeking to have our doubts relieved. The challenge we create for ourselves by seeking external validation, many times in the wrong places, we confirm our own fears which keeps us on an emotional roller coaster.
Here are some common questions I’ve found we want answered:
- Am I doing the right thing?
- Do I really have something valuable to offer?
- Will anyone buy my service?
- Will people really like me?
- What if someone finds out I am faking it till I make it?
- Fill in the blank….what is the question on your heart that needs affirmation?
Are you paralyzed because you need to know what’s next, what’s first, and want a complete road map from A-Z? There is a time for planning…and a time for action. Planning becomes less effective when it drags on and on without sufficient action. Some of the principle driven quotes that keep me moving forward are:
- “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.” -Norman Vincent Peale
- “Be strong. Take courage….God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.” -Deut. 31:8 The Message
Is your arrogance keeping you from growth? O0uucch! That hurts! Hey, I am looking in the mirror as I am writing this post. You are not alone! You may be saying to yourself, “That’s not me! Arrogance is boastful and proud.” Really? Could it be showing up in other ways?
For those of us self-starters, do-it-yourself’ers, bootstrapping types the action is where it’s at! We cut our teeth on our tenacity, boldness, and our strong will. We wrestled our vision into reality by working hard, trying hard, and generally producing a flurry of activity. This serves us well in many situations but there is a time when it ABSOLUTELY keeps us stuck. The truth is that our past success through hard work and activity can and does produce arrogance. It’s that attitude that says, “I know how to get things done. After all, look how far I’ve come!” We continue to struggle even when the current evidence of our activities with limited results proves us wrong.
How will you know if your arrogance is holding you back? When was the last time you hired a coach…and let them hold you accountable? When was the last time you stopped working so hard and took a break? When was the last time you asked for honest feedback from more than just your friends who are going to tell you what you want to hear? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to say “I don’t even know what I don’t know” and be willing to ask for help?
This is your year to find your missing piece!
You see, here is what I know for sure about you!
For those of us self-starters, do-it-yourself’ers, bootstrapping types the action is where it’s at! We cut our teeth on our tenacity, boldness, and our strong will. We wrestled our vision into reality by working hard, trying hard, and generally producing a flurry of activity. This serves us well in many situations but there is a time when it ABSOLUTELY keeps us stuck. The truth is that our past success through hard work and activity can and does produce arrogance. It’s that attitude that says, “I know how to get things done. After all, look how far I’ve come!” We continue to struggle even when the current evidence of our activities with limited results proves us wrong.
How will you know if your arrogance is holding you back? When was the last time you hired a coach…and let them hold you accountable? When was the last time you stopped working so hard and took a break? When was the last time you asked for honest feedback from more than just your friends who are going to tell you what you want to hear? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to say “I don’t even know what I don’t know” and be willing to ask for help?
This is your year to find your missing piece!
You see, here is what I know for sure about you!
- You have a big idea that drives you. That big idea or vision was birthed out of your life experience, gift mix, and personal history. It won’t let you go until you succeed or fail. The only way you’ll fail is if you stop.
- You were wired to pursue your big idea and make a difference in the world. You have strengths that will accelerate your achievement…or deter you if over extended. Those same strengths and life experiences that birthed your big idea will differentiate you from your competitor and in fact, make your competition mostly irrelevant.
- You are a work in progress. You know more today than you did, two weeks ago, two months ago, two years ago. The same applies to the future! You will know more in two weeks, two months, and two years than you do right now. Never stop learning or growing.
- You can absolutely, without question, make more money and have more fun working in your strengths and pursuing your big idea. It’s outrageous, I know, but it is possible to build an economic engine that is fueled by your talents packaged as service that in turn impacts and influences you, your family, your community and possibly the world!
- The catch! You can’t do it alone. None of us can.
I challenge you to
- step out in faith and confidence,
- look inside for what you know is true,
- take action with a focus on what fuels you, moves you forward and learn from your results,
- calmly say, “I don’t know what I don’t know yet, but I am going to find out”!
http://www.KathieNelson.com
followers dont follow if they dont help the journey you cant watch and follow you need to move with each other and not bring jealousy or strife to the camp because GOD is getting glory. to many are concerned with their own kingdoms instead of HIS kingdom and the desire of their own hearts remember those who choose to save their lives will lose them and those who lose them will find them. you cant lead in fear and then pass the buck when it gets to the testing point and if you steal it you cant blame the other for not running with the wrong fruit? whos to say the visionary is the one who is doing the talking sometimes the others are running on what others are saying without talking to the visionary and telling it in their own imagination without the correct understanding? you cant really lead without having the stage to explain what truly is going on the mule really needs to do the talking not just when the angel is in the way?
ReplyDeleteKathie, there is much strength and wisdom in what you share above. Guess I need to pray for wisdom and connection with those who are to come alongside.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous: You seem to have a lot of passion in what you shared and I believe there are several points that could be helpful. However, it's difficult to track the meaning you wish to convey. Due to run-on sentences and since question marks where no question is being asked, it's difficult to know exactly what you are desiring to communicate.