In career coaching, questions are paramount. The kind of questions that get us to slow down and take stock. To focus on our values and our goals. It’s about re-orienting ourselves to what actually matters, as opposed to the daily crap we obsess over.
It’s all too easy to fall into avoidant behavior. We’re SO busy—usually doing everything else but the work that most needs doing. Crossing off everything on our to-do list except the few items that matter most for our futures.
So what’s the ONE thing you can do TODAY that will make the most impact on your career?
If you’re like me, the one thing may be that scary phone call you’ve been avoiding or a set of key emails you’re uncomfortable about drafting.
It’s a copout to say “I don’t have time.” Or, “I need 3 uninterrupted hours so I can focus.” That’s a luxury most of us don’t have. But we DO have the 20, 30, or 45 minutes for taking the small but essential next step.
For instance, if you need to get more work as a freelancer, or if you want to book more of your own performances, or get more students, what are you actively doing about it? If you’ve been procrastinating working on that next recording project, what’s the one strategic step you could take to get going on it?
What’s getting in the way?
For many of us, it’s the way we live. We rush through the week, running from one appointment, rehearsal, lesson or gig, to the next. Meals are consumed on the run and our personal time gets swallowed up by our social media addiction. Busyness has become a way of life.
We don’t slow down to think. Or to breathe. Or to feel. Or to just BE.
That’s why questions matter. The right questions.
The right question for me this past week: What was the one most important thing on my to do list that I was avoiding? I had to admit it was the set of emails I’d been procrastinating on.
For weeks.
My “drop dead” deadline was the end of last week. Friday came and went. But I managed to force myself to start on Saturday night (finally!) and I’ve now got working drafts and expect to get them all done this week, in installments.
What really helped push me forward was a newsletter from my webdesigner Suzanne Bird-Harris (she’s terrific!). Suzanne writes a weekly newsletter for small business types (the clients she serves). Her newsletters have a way of nudging you forward. And few weeks ago she sent this list of provocative questions. They’re tough enough that I’m still chewing on them. I think you’ll find them helpful, too.
From Suzanne (thank you!), her post read:
“Fair warning: I’ve been in bed with a stomach bug since Thursday afternoon with a LOT of time to think. To make the time at least a little “productive” I’ve considered a collection of questions I’ve gathered from various people and places. Interesting, the answers I’m getting, so I thought I’d share.
Questions, which if answered, will help you get where you want to go:
Whom do I need to forgive?
What do I need to let go of?
What do I need to STOP doing?
What are the most important lessons I learned in the last year?
Where am I feeling stuck? Why?
When I think about a typical work day, which activities do I look forward to the most and which activities do I dread?
What would I spend my time on if I was forced to spend only 2 hours a week on my business?
Where (or on what) am I spending a disproportionate amount of time and energy, considering the impact or return I’m getting on my investment?
What would happen if I slowed down my work pace dramatically for a week?
How could I be nicer and kinder to myself?
How well do I take care of my body?
How well do I feed my mind and soul?
Which personal relationships need improvement?
What is the next one thing I can do to move me closer to my goal(s)?
I encourage you to take some time and sit with these questions and let them lead you. You might be surprised (like I am) at what you learn.”
And I hope you find these as helpful as I do!
PS: Suzanne is wonderful to work with. She specializes in WordPress sites and runs a free monthly online clinic for people who are using WP and have hit a snag or have questions. In these clinics she works in real time on people’s problems using a shared screen. It’s like a master class: you learn as you watch and listen! (How cool is that?)
As always, I love getting your feedback and suggestions! Reach me at angela@BeyondTalentConsulting.com.
And if you’d like help designing a practical plan to move ahead in your career—a plan that builds up your confidence and your creativity, along with your opportunities, let’s talk! I’m at angela@BeyondTalentConsulting.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Dream Big, Plan Smart, Live Well!
