Are you standing in your own way?

by Jeff Gerkin

Ever feel like you're your own worst enemy when it comes to achieving your goals? You're not alone. Many of us unknowingly block our own success, and it's not just you – it's backed by science!

Picture this: You're wanting to move from where you are into a new role, a new place, a new challenge. You believe you could do and be so much more - but something is holding you back.

If you're like most people, you might lean towards the familiar. Psychology calls this the "status quo bias," and it's a real growth killer. But here's the kicker—staying still doesn't keep you safe; it's how you lose value and relevance in today's fast-paced world.

So, what's holding us back?

• Negativity Bias: We're wired to focus on threats, not opportunities. This is great for survival but not so much for growth.
• The Comfort Zone: We cling to past successes, forgetting that yesterday's solutions will most likely not solve tomorrow's problems. Marshal Goldsmith writes, 'What got you here won't get you there.'
• Problem Paralysis: No one has ever achieved their goals by focusing on their problems. But we get stuck ruminating on our problems instead of seeking solutions.
• 'Just one more thing': We make ourselves believe that if we just had one more thing, a new skill, more money, or more time, then we'd be ready for the leap.
• Liminal spaces: It can be paralyzing to be in 'the space between what was and what will be.' However, these are pivotal times in life when we can have our most significant growth.

Addressing these barriers alone can be quite daunting. But you do have a resource that can help you break these patterns: an executive coach

A good coach helps you:

• Recognize and challenge self-limiting beliefs
• Develop a growth mindset that thrives on challenges
• Adapt strategies to current realities, not past successes
• Focus on solutions, not problems
• Build resilience for the inevitable storms we will all encounter

Research shows that executive coaching can significantly boost performance, well-being, and goal achievement. It's having someone to spot you, push you, and help you see possibilities you might miss on your own.

Remember, "We never step in the same river twice." The business world is constantly flowing and changing. To succeed, we need to be just as fluid and adaptive.