Breathe Deep and Jump In

Leadership Coaching Notes January 2010

Breathe Deep and Jump In

Are there times you hesitate…but wish you didn’t? Do you pause and shrink when you know in your heart of
hearts that it is time to:

• Enthusiastically take on the challenge that is bigger than you’ve ever faced?
• Prioritize doing what brings vitality to your life vs. doing what you “should” do or have always done?
• Have “the talk” with someone?
• Ask for help? (“Oh, I couldn’t!”)
•  Set boundaries that would open opportunities for valuable time for you and your family?

If you do, you aren’t alone. Our culture rewards focusing externally – on what others expect of us, what we “should” do according to someone else’s standards, and what will be hard about making a choice we want to make. We allow our inner wisdom to get lost as we listen first to the needs of others. “Critical” thinking becomes negative thinking just when it needs to be thoughtful insight. We contract, step back from the edge and stop…just when it is time to jump.

Remember your experience as a kid about to take that first leap off the diving board into the deep end? Wow, I do. It looked SO far down and daunting! But, by focusing on others’ encouragement, how cool it would be to experience the joy the big kids showed, and the thrill of mastering something new…. you took a deep breath and jumped in.

Where are the places you hesitate from taking action that you know, internally, is right
and authentic for you?

If you know it is time to make a new choice, try what many of my leadership
coaching clients (and I) are learning to do more consistently:

1.    Name the situation or challenge from which you shrink.
2.    Name the excuses you give yourself for following your old habits vs. developing new ones. Write them down.
3.    Cross out any that are outdated and that don’t truly express who you are at your best. Eliminate any that don’t reflect what is truly most important to you and aren’t congruent with the person you want to be in the future.
4.    Now list some inspiring possibilities that open when you move past your excuses and make the choice for what you truly want. What might you experience, achieve or contribute that you will really enjoy? (Keep your doubting voices at a distance here!)
5.    Let yourself remember and feel the exhilarating, fulfilling experiences you’ve had in the past when you did what was most inspiring to you and acted from who you really are (vs. who others might find convenient for you to be.) Connect with the experience of loving to learn, meet a challenge, support others, have fun, create… (fill in the blank with what “juiced” your enthusiasm and deep satisfaction.)
6.    Keeping the experience of vividly feeling your “mojo,” of knowing yourself at your best and bringing yourself forward (vs. conforming and choosing the familiar,) take a deep breath and jump in.

The remainder of your life is waiting for you. Experiences of fulfillment, confidence and vitality are waiting for you. Others are waiting for your unique and valuable contributions, not the tired old conformities you are tempted to offer them.

And if you are anxious, uncertain, not yet fully equipped to succeed and know you might “sputter” when you jump those first few times? Check: Is believing your fears your primary commitment or is living your precious, generous, creative life your highest commitment?

Remember that others can assist you to move out successfully. Jump in and ask them to help. (When they see your enthusiasm and conviction, they will be more willing to help than you might imagine.)

Every day, every choice represents these two “doors.” Door A assures repeating the past. Door B opens an adventure worth living.
“1, 2, 3, ….”

What’s Next

As an executive coach, I’ve worked with many who know what they want and yet step back from making choices that create it. The excuses almost seem sensible, but still the longing exists for “something more.” If you or someone you are developing to become a successful leader would like assistance to take a deep breath and jump in, please call me. Our first conversation is always free.

Liked the article? Didn’t like it? Have any questions? Additional ideas? Drop me a line mkimbell@corporateadventure.com. I’d love to hear from you!

All the best,

Meredith Kimbell
Executive Advisor,Strategy Consultant
Corporate Adventure

Leadership Coaching Notes uses real or composite client examples drawn from 25 years of coaching and consulting with leaders committed to solving their toughest personal, interpersonal and organizational issues.
Unless otherwise attributed, all material is copyrighted by Meredith Kimbell © 2011. All rights reserved. You may reprint any or all of this material if you include the following:
“Leadership Coaching Notes © 2011 Meredith Kimbell, Corporate Adventure, Reston, VA. Used with permission.”