Dear Friends,
Do have a tried and true book that you rely on to inspire you? What about a
movie or piece of music that brings you up when you’re down? If you do, I’d love
to highlight it (and you) in the Useful Resources section. Please send your
suggestions –author, title or website - to
Claudette@metavoice.org.
My best to you!
Claudette
Risky Business
I just got a new computer. It’s the most fun I have had in a long time.
For those of you thinking, “Boy, she needs to get out more,” let me explain. My
old computer was dying a slow death -- and I’d procrastinated mightily in
identifying its replacement. I was nervous: what if the new computer didn’t work
any better? What if I picked the wrong one? I don’t know anything about
computers. What if the person I hired to transfer the files did a bad job? My
business relies on this computer.
But finally, the reality of my computer’s imminent demise overcame my list of
worries. I took action – activated my network, found someone to build my machine
for me and then transfer all of my files. In short, I had to make several
decisions that involved a good-sized chunk of money and the health of my
business.
So what made this process fun?
The RISK.
I fell in love with the risk. I was absolutely exhilarated by it. After a
lifetime of hoping to avoid it and trying to circumvent the discomfort
associated with it, I embraced it. I said, “Bring it on!” Granted, when I review
my life, I see that through the years I’ve taken lots of substantial risks, and
most of them have worked well. I still dreaded them, but once resigned
that I needed to move forward with those various actions, I proceeded in an
agonized, albeit effective manner. The computer experience kicked off an
internal shift in the way I perceive risk and make decisions. Looking back, I
realized that I used the six steps to help me through my computer purchase and
set up. Unknowingly, I’ve used these steps many times before. Perhaps these
steps will help you as well.
The next time you're making you're making decisions that feel risky or making a
choice to take a risk:
1. Gather information. When faced with any risk, whether you fear it or
not, it’s imperative to gather the information you need to make informed
decisions. Some people struggle at this point, depending on their personality
and decision-making habits. Some want to jump into action too quickly, while
others get bogged down in the information. Identify your own habits.
2. Look the decision or risk squarely in the face. What do you need to
be honest about? What are the facts? What are the assumptions you’ve made? Do
you require a contingency plan?
3. Notice any fear. If fear has crept in (and it probably has),
observe it. Is it stopping you from moving forward, standing up for yourself, or
expressing your needs or desires? Try jotting down your concerns on a piece of
paper. Review each one – which fears are ungrounded? What are you avoiding?
Which concerns require action? What would that action be? What support or
assistance do you need?
4. Identify the decisions. Usually, any risk involves making a series
of smaller decisions that either lead up to the big decision or follow it.
Again, note these on paper. What’s the logical sequence for decisions? Do you
know the decision that you’ll make? What obstacles, if any, are in your way?
What else do you need to know?
5. Check in with yourself. What’s your gut feeling? Tuning in is
especially important if you’re sitting on the fence or feel forced to take a
risk with less information than you’d like. Risk taking inherently requires a
leap of faith and confidence in yourself that no matter what happens, you can
handle it, find a solution or get the help that you need.
6. Make the decision! Now that you’ve completed the previous five
steps, you’re in a better position to take the risk that’s right for you.
Here’s the other thing my computer adventure taught me about risk. It becomes
exhilarating when you have confidence in yourself and have faith in your
actions. I was pretty sure that if I took the right actions, I’d see the right
results. I also noticed that facing my fear was a more direct route to my goals
than continuing along on the circuitous path of avoidance I’d been taking while
procrastinating.
By the way, the new computer runs like a champ. It’s wicked fast -- as we like
to say here in New England. The files transferred beautifully. And, it turns out
that, in the end, I knew a thing or two about computers after all.
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Products & Services
- Coaching Services. Does your career need a tune up? Your
business a realignment? How about your passion and purpose – could
they stand to be reignited? I’d love to offer you a complimentary
coaching consultation. Please contact me directly at 781-316-1923
or write to
claudette@metavoice.org to book your 30 minutes with me.
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. If you’d like an easy way to get
more information about your innate personality preferences and how
they effect your career, this is the assessment for you! For more
information, please visit
http://www.metavoice.org/mbriggs
- A Guide to Getting It: A Clear, Compelling Vision. I
co-authored this book and I’m so pleased to share it with you.
This book is a great resource for the new year – tune up your
vision and reignite your life! To purchase, please go to
http://www.metavoice.org/store
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Useful Resources
- Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India
and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. I just finished reading this book and
it’s a keeper. Gilbert writes about her journey to balance devotion and
pleasure in the aftermath of a difficult divorce. This story, told with humor
and wisdom, is both inspirational and instructional – the best kind.
- Magic Words: 101 Ways to Talk Your Way Through Life’s Challenges by
Howard Kaminsky & Alexandra Penney. This book is a gem. It offers wise
and insightful ways to communicate with yourself, with others, and in
universal situations. My copy is well worn -- this is a great reference for
dealing with life's sticky situations.
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