Insights: "The Obstacle IS the way”

Frustration is the growth pathway

Your brain is a habit-creating monster with the primary function - to move you around the planet as safely as possible - finding resources and avoiding danger.?Safety first.

To do that most effectively, your brain works as a prediction machine [Anil Seth]. To help you navigate a safe way forward. Just like a SATNAV on your car, it predicts the route based on established maps and confirms with the data from your GPS.

However, predictions are based on past data and memory maps are grounded in the assumption that what’s happened before is likely to happen again.

And it works often enough for these predictions to habituate and become unconscious automated responses.

Which is fine. Except when your brain's predictions (expectations) don’t match a changed reality. When the Maps don’t match the Data.

That’s when you get frustrated. Your mind cannot predict safety because either the MAP or the Data (or both) don’t align.??

At this point, you have a moment that matters:??

To react instinctively and blame the circumstances - feedback from the world (the Data).

OR

Update your Maps.

Because ultimately, the universe doesn’t care what’s written on your maps.

Look at frustration as the pathway.

Or, to quote Marcus Aurelius,?“The Obstacle IS the way”

Trapped by your own competence?

You get good at what you do every day.

As you get better at something, it happens more quickly and easily. Your habits, expertise, and skills deepen.

Which at work can be great. More of that work comes your way, and you get recognition and accolades for your technical skill. A high achiever

But it can also be a trap, a paradox of efficiency. Other people bring you similar work and challenges because?“you’re the guy/girl who can fix this.”.

However, if it is more of the same, are you learning anything new, other than deeper technical skills?

High achievers are promoted, it typically brings with it more responsibility and more $$. As well as a whole set of new challenges.

As you rise up the ranks, you need different skills -?the ability to influence and persuade, problem solve effectively with others, lead and mentor others, explore and embrace different perspectives?- become much more important.

And like technical skills, they only develop with practice.

But because you are good at solving technical problems, it is easy to become trapped into solving them, prioritising them, rather than the things your new role demands but that you are not as comfortable at doing.?We revert to form.

Climbing out of this rut can be difficult.?If you want help, find a quality mentor or coach. Your future success will depend on it.

The Focus Finder Delux

At the end of the month,?I’m running a how-to workshop for senior executives to help your senior people rise above the complexity.

This event is for senior executives, business owners and HR leaders whose senior people:?

• Have been operating beyond capacity for an extended period
• Are smart and capable but fraying at the edges and starting to burn out.
• Are always busy, lurch from meeting to meeting, but make little progress on their deliverables.
• Spend too much time in the weeds and the minutiae
• Get stuck in other people’s problems and at times, get in other people’s way.

The Path Finder Delux is a simple framework that helps you rise above the complexity. Filter out the?noise to find greater clarity and simplicity.

I am giving a thirty-minute executive briefing to step out how you can use this tool and help your people.

Join me on?Wednesday 26th July?at 9.00 am EST.

You can sign up here >>

Cheers,

Nigel

nigeldonovan.com