Last week I dealt with “I know where I want to go, but can’t see how?” Part Two: Keep it Real.
The previous week was “So much to do, where to start?” Part One: Get organised.
This week the topic is “Feeling out of your depth?”
Part Three: Focus on your primary aim
1. Make one thing your master. It is all good and well having multiple streams of income, but if you don’t have one primary focus, you will find yourself scattered, overwhelmed and not doing anything particularly well. Focusing on a multitude of activities that are not aligned with your primary purpose in life will bring forth procrastination, distractions and a heaviness that can lead to anxiety and depression. Going around in circles, busy going nowhere will bring on a high degree of overwhelm with many associated negative impacts.
2. Be clear on what your vocation is. Many people I have coached when I ask them what it is they would love to do reply with “ I just want to help people”. So I ask them “how are you going to help people?” Most answers I get do not come close to answering the question. Many want to make a business out of serving people (which is commendable) and I ask “so what is your product?” from which I would get a whole lot of lovely sentiments, mostly mumbo jumbo to which I respond “so what is your product?” (sometimes more than twice). Yes, people sometimes don’t like the challenge I throw at them, but the harsh reality is you need a clearly defined product to SELL into the market place, whether it is your own business or within a corporate structure.
3. Fill in the gaps. What are your deficits? What do you lack? What are the holes? If you want to be a coach, but don’t have a modality or framework to use, then you will feel like a fish out of water an create massive overwhelm.
I don’t agree with “fake it ‘till you make it” – unwise!
A university level education is not essential for all things, but necessary for some. There are many ways to learn and gain skills. I have seen those that promote themselves with little substance come and go.
What knowledge, resources, skills do you need to acquire?
What is it that you would love to do, and what do you need to do in order to do that?
4. Do what you are good at. Do what comes naturally and effortlessly. If you don’t fully appreciate the things that you are good at, then perhaps you are trying to live up to someone else’s vision. Look at the reasons why you are good at certain skills – you will most likely find that they are aligned with your values.
Give yourself permission to do what you love. You are worthy of living an extraordinary life!