Friday Review: Breakthroughs
Click on the links to read the full message on these posts related to breakthroughs.
Image from Flickr by Eric Lockhart
Friday Review: Breakthroughs
Tag Archives: breakthrough
The Worst Walls
“The worst walls are never the ones you find in your way. The worst walls are the ones you put there – you build yourself.”
– Ursula K. LeGuin, American 20th century science fiction writer
Image from Flickr by Eric Lockhart
Many years ago, I was having a conversation with a fellow coach. The discussion centered on the claim of “breakthrough results” in his company’s marketing materials.
Although this phrase is often considered jargon or “consultant-speak,” he pointed out that in order for a breakthrough to occur, a barrier must be overcome.
This quote reminds us that we are the architects and builders of some of our own barriers. What makes the walls we build the worst and perhaps the most difficult to break through is the fact that we may not even know we have constructed them, or that they are actually stopping us.
EXERCISE:
In the next day or so, spend some time working with a mentor, close friend, colleague, or coach, who can help you examine and explore some of the internal walls you have built. Once identified, develop a plan and a support structure to get to the other side.
Break Our Own Records
“Our business in life is not to get ahead of others but to get ahead of ourselves, to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by outperforming today.”
– Stewart B. Johnson, artist
One of the key concepts I use in my work as a coach is “creative tension.” I came across this term in Robert Fritz’s book The Path of Least Resistance, published in 1989. It points to the power of a better future to literally pull us from our current realities, to act each day to make that future a reality.
We have the opportunity to become better than ourselves in any areas we wish.
Exercise:
Select one area in your personal or professional life where you wish to outperform your current self. Develop a project action plan with a coach, colleague, friend, mentor, or family member to help you break your own records and outstrip your yesterdays.
Consider replying to this message and let me know which area you select, for a bit more accountability.