THE ENEMY OF PROGRESS

 Frustration is fuelled when action isn’t taken.

A broken commitment, late arrivals and unfulfilled orders trigger conflict.

Inaction is the enemy of progress.

Inaction is one of the five common reasons people cite when we discuss their inability to create change as a leader.

Clients tell me their stories of grandiose ideas and gaining buy-in from their team, yet when I follow up, progress is minimal or neutral.

The transition from inaction to action involves:

·        Personal power

·        Permission, and

·        Persistence.

Louise L. Hay was acclaimed for her literature and practices to enable people to locate their power within.  This is achieved by removing or manoeuvring around internal barriers and blocks. Looking within, being self aware is your first step in this direction.

Often you need to give yourself permission to move on and away from what’s holding you back. A permission slip enables you stop showing up on how others need you to be and start being who you want to be. Waiting for the green light, isn’t what leaders do, they take initiative and find alternative routes ensuring they make their approach followable.

 It’s easy to give up after one attempt. It may hurt to confront fear. Persistence will be your energizer to keep moving - it fuels progress. Reflecting on how many attempts it took you to achieve an impossible goal will unearth your strength of persistence.

 

Finally, a few tips on gaining traction rather than sustaining a state of inaction:

·        Write, record or type your thoughts, ideas, commitments and feelings to create a flow-chart, project map, diagram or a simple check-list

·        Share your commitment to the action in conversation to seek out support, and

·        Block time with time bound goals and create rules e.g. no interruptions for 30 minutes.

A boss of mine asked me 30 years ago, “How do you eat an elephant?”

By cutting it into small pieces. (Apologies if that makes you feel squeamish.)

I’ve always carried that metaphor message (rather than the visual image) to immediately break down the activity into tasks.

Contemplate the impact you have on others by taking action – how your work may help, make a difference or change how they see themselves participating or contributing.

And consider the consequence of your inaction.

Which do you prefer?

Don’t be the enemy of progress … be the energizer to progress.

 

If your Spring Transition has stalled after 15 days, then it’s time to connect and work with me.