Go Small to Go Big
Feeling a little meh about the big goals and intentions you started the year with?
If yes, you’re not alone. Goals and intentions, especially around behavior change are hard and right about now, many of my clients start struggling to stay on track.
So recently I’ve encouraged teams and leaders I work with to try a different approach: go small to go big.
This is how it works*:
Think of a positive descriptor that you feel defines you or has contributed to your success. Examples: problem-solver, helper, communicator, ideator
Identify ways in which you behave or think, perhaps habitually, that support this identity. Examples: being quick to offer solutions to problems, jumping in to be supportive, expressing your ideas and thoughts freely
Reflect on this habit of action or thought:
How might this behavior or thought limit you or those around you?
What possibilities might open if you challenged this habit?
What new, alternate action could you practice that might be more effective?
Notice when you fall into this habit:
What’s going on around you? When do you do it? With whom?
Try something different and see how it goes. Example, when someone comes to you with a problem, hold back on problem solving and ask a good question instead.
And here’s the magic pixie dust: rather than focus on how you’ll be better over the year, focus on how you’ll be better in your next meeting or conversation. SOOO much better.
Small habit. Big difference.
The habit I’m practicing is to be less preachy and step by step prescriptive. I’m starting tomorrow.
(*I adopted this exercise from the great work of Doug Silsbee in his book Presence-Based Coaching. If you want to geek out on a fab coaching book, go get it).