Walking Your Talk
Working with Your "Inner Hypocrite"
Walking
One of the core ideas that we work with here at Empower U is that, like it or not, we are all hypocrites. This means that regardless of how well intentioned we may be, it is almost impossible to always live up to our highest ideals.
Of course, those of you who've gone through our Leadership Awakening class have a much clearer idea of what your highest ideals are. You've already "raised the bar" and taken big steps towards becoming the "George Bernard Shaw" you could be.
Even so, doesn't it seem frustrating sometimes to have such a clear vision of what is possible and to then compare that with what is actually happening in your day-to-day life?
Here are a few ideas - for some of you, reminders - about how to translate that wonderful potential within you into the reality of your daily life:
Journaling
The best and brightest people make a habit of taking time on a daily basis to set goals and review their progress. Even just five minutes a day can give you the necessary focus and motivation to keep moving towards not only your daily goals, but also keeping your "best possible you" in view.
If you read books or other articles on journaling, you'll find that there are a number of formats that can be useful. One that we like here is to spend time each morning writing down five things you are excited about and five things you are grateful for.
Goal Setting
We actually prefer to call this "Goal Getting" rather than goal setting. After all, anyone can set goals, but it takes an extra something to actually achieve them. Part of the goal getting process is to set time-specific goals that you can check on a regular basis. One way to do this is to review your goals on the same basis that you made them. For example, check your daily goals on a daily basis, your weekly goals every week, etc. The whole process starts off by writing down your lifetime goals first, then breaking those down into five-year, one-year, monthly, weekly and daily tasks that will get you from here to there.
Avoid Distractions Along the Way
We all know about this one. Whether it's the internet, the television, or just goofing off, if it takes energy and focus away from what you really want to accomplish in your life, it's a distraction.
Please don't hear that these things aren't great diversions or even useful for relaxation, but the question always is, "What do you want?" Are these things taking you closer to where you want to be, or are they distracting you and making it more difficult to get there? Only you will know the answer to that question and so all I can suggest is that you answer it with 100% complete honesty. Then act accordingly.
Walking Your Talk - Getting Better Each Day
These are only a few of the many ways to become the best person we can possibly be and walk our talk more each day. All of us are under construction and we can always do better. By taking care of the little things, the bigger ones will take care of themselves.
With Passion - Heart, Body and Soul
Scott V. Black
The Empower U Leadership Team
March 2002
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