Archives - January 2012
“NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES”
“A ‘no’ uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a ‘yes’ merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.” Mahatma Gandhi
One of the most common obstacles to business and professional development is a lack of time or capacity to do the work. Attorneys and other clients tell me regularly, “I would really like to focus on developing new business [or a specific niche service for clients, or improving my delegation and coaching skills as team leader, etc., etc., etc.], but I just don’t have time for it. With all the other demands on my time and energy, there’s only so much I can do.”
At the start of a new year – especially one like 2012, that we already sense will be filled with unique challenges and “first mover” opportunities – success-oriented professionals should focus on what they want and what they may need to let go of in order to achieve it. This requires the ability to state with clarity what you wish to say “yes” to this year, and to what you will say “no,” to have the band width to achieve your strategic goals. In his excellent book The Power of a Positive No, William Ury describes how to maintain positive relationships while at the same time declining opportunities and requests that may interfere with growth and development. I recommend Ury’s book highly to those of you who seek change and growth, but aren’t sure how you’ll fit it in this year.
Why are we so reluctant to let go of time-consuming and boring activities – like drafting an agreement that a second-year associate could prepare easily, or making a presentation to a regional organization with little potential to help us build our professional influence and reputation – that keep us from having the time and opportunity for professional growth? Lots of reasons come to mind including fear of the unknown; fear of failure; concerns about being unproductive; worry about being replaced or supplanted in a certain area of expertise. The list could go on and on.
If we were able to extract the fears and worries from our calculation, we might realize that change and growth are necessary aspects of a healthy and satisfying existence. The humble garden snake provides an example. Periodically she goes through the process of shedding her skin; it’s just not big enough to contain her growth any longer. She doesn’t judge or resist the process, or make excuses about why she should continue to live in the same skin. It’s a natural part of life and one that leads to growth and continued vitality.
Ask yourself the following question: “If I were not afraid, what is it I would do this year to promote my professional growth and development?” Start thinking about the answer or answers to the question. Then consider to what work activities or responsibilities you’ll need to say “no,” in order to shed a worn-out behavior that’s limiting you, and to say “yes” to continued success.