Do you prioritize your personal goals, or do you expend most of your energy doing what you think is expected of you?
As Vice-President of Business Operations, I received feedback that I was too accommodating. In hindsight I realize that feedback was accurate. My desire to be helpful to others (and liked), reduced my effectiveness. Rather than focusing on my priorities, I was pulled in myriad directions based on others’ demands. Had I focused on driving for results on my own priorities and deliverables, I would have better served the organization. Instead, I felt caught in a hamster ball, stressed, and running hard while seeking validation. I was not optimizing my team’s impact nor being my most effective.
If I had acted a bit more “selfishly” (that is how I would have viewed it at the time), acknowledging my strengths and focusing on my personal goals and priorities, I would have had greater impact. The bottom line is, had I given more credence to what I wanted, rather than prioritizing others, I would have done better work and had greater job satisfaction.
This experience isn’t unique to me. I repeatedly hear from clients that they’re pulled in too many directions. Their past success has brought them an overabundance of opportunities, leading to overcommitment. Many are worn out trying to do all that is expected of them and have neither time nor energy to do the things that would truly make a difference. Some have no energy remaining for friends and family. Others know the legacy they’d like to leave and are too exhausted to accomplish it. These individuals are talented, intelligent, capable and conscientious. Their creativity and impact are stifled trying to accomplish what others expect of them. Too often we neglect to create space to reflect on and prioritize that which matters most to us. The world is a better place when our work is aligned with our values and purpose.
What matters to you? What do you value? What energizes you? What do you desire? What is your purpose? Do you know?
I help my clients answer these questions, support them in expressing their needs and applaud as they become more effective and satisfied. Contact me for assistance acknowledging your strengths, skills and abilities, cultivating them in service to your goals and purpose.