Volume 7, Issue 1

February 28, 2007

Beyond Success Newsletter

Getting Out of Your Own Way

by Trish Pratt

Have you ever found yourself striving to reach a goal that was too familiar? Maybe it was familiar because it was a recurring goal that you hadn't yet achieved. Or maybe it had been achieved but then later, somehow got undone. Typically in these times of working to accomplish an old goal, we look for a new approach, a new strategy, or a new way of accomplishing the task in a bigger, more successful way. Though sometimes a new strategy is called for, often what is needed is a clearer view of what is getting in your way - your resistance.

Resistance can come in the form of beliefs or perceptions such as beliefs you may have about your capabilities and challenges, about the situation or people involved, or about what needs to happen in order for success to occur. Resistance can also be in the form of competing commitments, such as being committed to losing 10 pounds while unconsciously being committed to using food to pacify your anxiety. Or, it may be a commitment to find a new job while being unconsciously committed to protecting yourself from rejection. Though you may be aware of some of your resistance, often the resistance that has the greatest impact on your success is that which is most invisible to you.

For example, a client I'll call Mark was in the process of securing a new position as a marketing director. He had great credentials, as well as years of experience in his field. Mark was heading down a path to what he wanted, but was moving very slowly and resisting it all the way. In the course of our first couple of coaching sessions he touched on what I flagged as likely areas of resistance to be looked at. The challenges he felt were hindering his success were:

  • his options were limited because of his age (48 years old),
  • he didn't have the personality or patience for networking, and
  • he thought that maybe he'd be more successful doing something else.

When it comes to resistance beliefs or perceptions, we typically think and communicate them as facts. No ifs, ands, or buts. We hold them as truths and are often willing to vigorously defend them. Clients often say, "But everyone knows this is true!" A quick way to test an idea is to try on an opposite belief. My initial response to Mark was that I knew plenty of people his age who had successfully changed jobs and that I would guess that there were companies out there looking for someone with his breadth of experience and success. The more we talked, the more he began to question his belief assumptions.

Through further work together looking more closely at his patterns, we were able to uncover the beliefs and perceptions that were causing him resistance in his networking as well. As Mark unhooked himself from some of his resistance belief patterns, he was able to more successfully network and interview with more ease. He was able to get clear about what he really wanted to do and stop second-guessing himself. He developed strategies for navigating his job search process from his strengths – experience, commitment and who he is as a person, not just a job candidate. With his energy and enthusiasm increased and resistance out of his way, he then secured the position he had been looking for.

If you've found yourself on a slow path to accomplishing your goal and are wondering if you're resisting your success, ask yourself the following:

  • Does this goal keep coming back to you because you haven't accomplished it yet?
  • Has this goal taken you more time than what you expected?
  • Are you avoiding an aspect of the goal?
  • Are the steps to achieving this goal more difficult than you expected?

If you've answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may be standing in the way of your own success! Recognizing that this is happening is a great first step to letting go of your resistance. The next step is to notice what beliefs are in the back of your mind. Try on some opposite beliefs. And if you need further help in turning your resistance into forward motion, consider working with a coach to further uncover your resistance patterns.

Wishing you unstoppable success,
- Trish

~~~~~~~~~~<<<<<<<>>>>>>>~~~~~~~~~~~

About Trish

Trish Pratt is a professional certified coach and consultant. She is also a certified PaperRoom coach trained in pattern recognition (see www.momentumcoaching.com/paperroom.html for more details). Trish helps managers and other professionals bring their best clarity, communication and leadership to their work. She does this with one-on-one coaching, training/workshops, and through articles she writes. Contact Trish today for a complimentary consultation at: 978-635-0603 or via email at: trish@momentumcoaching.com.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe

Beyond Success is written and produced by Trish Pratt. Please send any feedback, suggestions or coaching questions to trish@momentumcoaching.com. If you have friends, family, co-workers or neighbors who might be interested in receiving this newsletter, please let us know. Your friendship and referrals are most appreciated!

Anyone can subscribe to the Beyond Success Newsletter, by sending an email
To: Success-request@momentumcoaching.com
Subject: subscribe (To unsubscribe - Subject: unsubscribe)

Thank you for reading this issue of the Momentum Coaching Beyond Success Newsletter. This newsletter is a free email publication from MomentumCoaching.com.

Legal Notice

© 2007 Momentum Coaching, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

"The PaperRoom" is a trademark of Boston Coaching Company. Trish is a certified, licensed PaperRoom coach. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.