From time to time we can all forget how great we really are. Often times people confuse their identity with their role performance and outcomes. Let’s get something straight. You are always great as a person. There are times when, if you are human, your performance and behavior may be judged less than great. Keep in mind, the behavior is only a temporary part of who you are and it is not who you are.
Our value as a person is always a 10 out of 10. It’s the same as how the value of a $10 bill is always $10 regardless of how tattered and beat up the bill may be. The value is the same whether in the register at the Ritz or in the gutter.
Remember…You are a “10”
When we feel and believe we are a 10, we will perform better than when we believe we are a screw-up or a failure. We may screw up and we may fail. However, we are not screwups nor failures.
A powerful way to integrate our strengths, talents, and blessings and get ourselves back online with our full potential is to remember the word GREAT:
G.R.E.A.T.
G – Gratitude – A wonderful way to start the day is to list a minimum of three things, people, or situations you are grateful for in your life. It may not entirely knock out the feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety, however, it is an excellent way to buffer the blues. It also serves to expand the gold. Make it your way of beginning each day.
Adopt an attitude of gratitude.
R – Revisit your future – Get clear about where you are headed over the next 3-5 years and what you want it to look like when you arrive. Who are you? How have you grown? What have you learned? Who are you with? What have you achieved? Who have you positively impacted? What contributions have you made along the way? Get clear on your vision and revisit it every day in your mind and in your heart. Revisiting your desired future will get you in tune with being available to the impulses to act upon that will move you to your compelling future.
When you are clear, what you want will show up and only to the extent you are clear.
E – Execute on all of your commitments – Get done what you say you will get done. If you commit to making five prospecting calls today, make five prospecting calls today. By keeping your promise to yourself, you will build self-trust and know you can count on yourself. Keeping your commitment puts a check in the box of self-esteem. Not keeping your commitment removes not just one check but two. It becomes a slippery slope when we don’t execute on our commitments. A compelling future is dependent on our ability to feel we can count on ourselves to get things done; and also for others to know they can count on us to keep our word. Overcommitment is not admirable nor productive, it only leads to stress and disappointment. Learn to only commit to what you are truly willing to execute. This will make you accountable to yourself as well as others.
Be intentional about what you say you will do and then do it.
A – Accuracy of attribution – There is a condition called fundamental attribution error. Most people have a cognitive bias to assume that another person’s actions depend on what “kind” of person that person is rather than on the social and environmental forces that influence the person’s behavior. On the flip side, we attribute our poor performance to the external forces upon us rather than our character and ability.
What is true may not always be the truth.
Where we tend to get ourselves in trouble is when we perceive something that is not necessarily so and overreact to the misconception. An example is when we are introduced to a new coworker and they are quiet and we judge them to be standoffish or conceited. We may take it personally and the friction begins. What may actually be going on is the person just received bad news and is processing it and not totally present. Have compassion for others. And just as important have compassion for yourself.
T – Try something new – This is not about doing something at which you strive to become proficient. Although that’s cool if that happens. This is about interrupting our pattern of playing it safe. It’s also about introducing new perspectives and experiences into our lives. If we continue to think, feel, and do what we have always thought, felt, and done, we will continue to get and experience what we always got. Want something different in your life? Be willing to try something new or different. It doesn’t have to be a huge leap. It can be doing things you regularly do in a new or different way. Meet new people. Go somewhere you haven’t been before.
The only downside to trying something new is your horizons will be broadened and your opportunities increased.
This week take on the daily ritual of integrating your greatness by doing GREAT and observe how much closer you get to your ideal future.
Make it up, make it fun, and get it done!