Leadership: To reach your goals invest in yourself

“Your best tools are your hands” Our au-pair Karen Cook, a pragmatic woman from North Yorkshire, used to say to me.

Depending on the job at hand this is true.

However, from your standpoint as a professional? You are your own best tool.

Why? Because people connect with people.

Naturally, your background, experience, and training count.

However, ultimately, how you interact with others, how you manage your emotions, and how well you are able to fit into a hierarchy, to respect but also to engender respect, will more significantly influence your career trajectory than your education.?

In the past weeks I have spoken to several people about their career goals for this year.

Most are focused on earning more or on being promoted. Some want to be happier at work.

Typically, the focus is on the external factors that inhibit success or desired outcome. Less attention is paid to internal factors.

However, usually it is internal factors that hold us back from achieving our full potential.

For example, if you reflect on your life, you will likely identify patterns you find yourself in that typically start in your family of origin and accompany you through life.

• You might be an exhausted overachiever or caretaker
• You might find that despite always reaching your goals the goal-posts keep moving and you are rarely rewarded?for reaching the initial goals.
• Perhaps others habitually take credit for your work.
• Perhaps you sacrifice your health to your work.?

Behavioural patterns often repeat, even when they no longer serve a purpose or hinder progress.?

The challenge is that our sense of self is tied up in how we behave.?In essence, we behave in line with who we believe we are. Or who we have been told to be.?

For example, someone who works excessively will explain that they have high standards and this is just how they work. It is often therefore very difficult for an individual to envision doing things differently, ?while still being true to who they believe themselves to be.?

However, the good news is it is possible. If there is one post of mine you read this year and perhaps reflect on, make it this one.

I see many people who are unhappy with situations they find themselves in. Some are held back by belief systems that don’t serve them. Some are stuck in historical patterns that stop progress.?

The compass that points you towards success is inside you.?If you feel stuck, all you have to do is believe you can walk in a different direction.

If the above resonates with you and you have noticed patterns in your personal or work life that are holding you back maybe solving them is the task you want to set yourself above all others this year?

Explore what holds you back without judgement. Start taking note of patterns you experience, at work, at home, over the course of various jobs. What experiences are holding you back, how do you perform in hierarchies, how do you apply yourself in your systems, what roles do you take over and over again.

If you start cultivating awareness you will no longer be in a space of reaction but in a space of response, which will enable you to address issues. At this point many of your goals and resolutions will suddenly start falling into place.

Due to blind spots it is hard to work on personal topics alone. So it is worth enlisting the support of a coach, counselor or therapist, depending on your situation. Many struggle with committing to this because of the cost involved. However, money invested in yourself and your development is money well spent.

Key takeaway: invest in yourself for career success

I work with teams and individuals to improve performance and business outcomes.

I'm an executive coach and a strategy with a systemic approach. I am passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential.

Reach out for an informal chat if you are interested in coaching. And find out more about coaching and testmionials here.