My daughter Joi, a high school senior, is an aspiring entrepreneur. She’s talked about having her own business in the beauty industry since she could speak. She’s drafted a business plan and conducted some research on the market. Now she’s preparing for what’s next beyond high school. I told her it was time to get serious about implementing her plan. As my Pastor says, “Don’t just talk about it, be about it!”
We’ve met for two weeks in a row reviewing her vision and putting together an actionable plan. I’m so proud of her. My mindset was nowhere near thinking about a business at 16. Today, I’m taking her to the County Recorder’s Office to File her Fictitious Business Name.
Working with Joi reminded me of a course where the facilitator asked the question, are you playing to win or are you playing not to lose? When we’re playing to win, we’re in action and making bold moves, even when they’re scary. Today, my daughter is taking her first step outside of her comfort zone into the unknown, risky world of entrepreneurship.
My daughter’s bold move influenced me to reflect on the work I am doing. Here are three questions I asked myself to check in on my progress. Ask yourself these questions for business, professional, team, and personal goals:
What goals have I been talking about but haven’t put into action?
When’s the last time I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone in pursuit of my goals?
What is one actionable step I can take this week to put myself in motion?
I’m usually in “beast mode” when pursuing my business, professional, and personal goals; however, I have moments when being on cruise control is more my default. I recognize that doing the same tasks day in and day out doesn’t get me closer to accomplishing my goals, and that when I get out of my daily habits my aspirations suffer.
In one Harvard Business Review article, the author proposes breaking your goals down into “micro-habits” you and your team can do daily to achieve targeted results. The author also recommends finding someone to hold you accountable, one of coaching’s most significant benefits.
When living a life of intention and purpose, regular reflection is vital as a leader. If you’re not taking the time to think, you’re not making a sincere and earnest effort to succeed.
For more about expanding your self-awareness, learning from your breakdowns, and building your leadership skills, schedule a consultation with Julianna.