It’s a little ironic, but only seeing the Big Picture with our goals is often the very thing that undermines them.
Vision truly is the key to EVERYTHING. I can’t stress that enough. I repeat it constantly to every leader, team member and person I interact with or have the privilege of coaching. You simply cannot move forward towards positive change if you don’t have a vision for what it could, or is supposed to look like.
That being said, if all we ever choose to see on our way to turning that vision into reality is the final result, then we will often find ourselves feeling discouraged and disappointed. If we are not careful, these discouragements can begin to compound on us, ultimately making us feel as if we have failed because we haven’t arrived yet.
I call that Baloney. Vision is not supposed to handcuff us. It’s supposed to set us free.
I’ve discovered that in my own life, and many of those I get to serve and work with, having vision is not the problem. We KNOW where we want to go. The trouble surfaces when we try to make it to our destination in one jump. And if Neo taught us anything in the Matrix, it’s that, “Nobody makes the first jump."
THINK STEPS, NOT MILES
It was a bit of a revelation for me personally reading Keith Webb’s amazingly practical book, The COACH Model for Christian Leaders. In it, he uses a great illustration in regards to establishing Course in our way forward with our goals:
Every action step is actually made up of a number of smaller actions steps—thoughts, decisions, and actions. Allow me to illustrate with a mundane example. Imagine my action step is: “Go outside within 10 minutes.” Simple enough. Most people would consider going outside within 10 minutes as a single action step. Yet, this task is actually a series of smaller steps. As I write, I am sitting at a desk on the 11th floor of the Singapore National Library, so “to go outside within 10 minutes,” means I must: 1. Push back my chair 2. Stand up 3. Pack up my computer 4. Walk through the library 5. Take several turns through the stacks of books 6. Open the first set of doors 7. Have my bag inspected by security 8. Go to the elevator 9. Push the down button 10. Wait for elevator 11. Board the elevator 12. Push the button for the ground floor 13. Exit the elevator 14. Walk through the lobby 15. Open the door 16. Exit the building
For most people, “to go outside within 10 minutes” is one manageable action step. However, it is actually made up of 16 smaller action steps.
Webb, Keith E.. The Coach Model for Christian Leaders (pp. 100-101). Morgan James Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Isn’t that mind-blowing?! What would it do for you to look at your current goals and dreams this way? What if instead of just seeing the miles ahead your dreams and goals you determined to see the many steps within those miles it will take to get there? Steps are less overwhelming. Steps are way more manageable. Steps don’t discourage us, because we can recognize that while we are not fully where we want to be, we are still making progress towards our destination.
CELEBRATE SMALL (AND BIG)!
If thinking in steps is the key to creating the actionable strategy on the way to turning our Next into Now, recognizing that Every Step is an Arrival will be the fuel to keep you taking those steps. Think about that. If I’m working on the many steps to get where I need to go, I have arrived further than I once was. That’s progress, and that’s worth celebrating!
It might feel silly, but you have to acknowledge AND CELEBRATE every bit of progress! In not taking this important step, we run the risk of internally negating anything we have already accomplished. Every step forward is a win. Don’t overlook that. Celebrate them, regardless of size! You’ll be amazed how this simple action will help propel you towards your next step.
ONE LAST SUGGESTION…
Don’t go this alone. For some of us, creating and knocking down goals comes naturally. I get that. I personally operate best with To Do Lists and Prioritizing to get things done and move forward in my day to day. But having someone to help guide me to untangle, or see between the lines in my steps has been HUGE. I can sincerely say that I don’t think I would be where I am now, personally as well as vocationally, without a Coach.
My coach has helped me identify the steps within goals, gave me encouragement and accountability in those steps, helped me evaluate and adjust as needed, and ultimately celebrated every step forward, Big and Small! Getting support is not a sign of weakness. Every successful, high-impact leader recognizes that they are stronger with the support of others than moving forward by themself.
If you’ve got dreams and goals you’re looking for support in, we’d love to help! If you’d like more info on Our Coaching, click here!
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