Have you ever felt like you’re stuck on a plateau in your business? You’re doing what you think is right, working hard and yet the results don’t seem to be coming.
Sometimes it really can just be a case of what’s called ‘lag time’. The results are on the way but taking time to catch up to the action you’ve been taking.
At other times though, what keeps us from the results we want is simply the way we’re thinking about things. We’re trapped by a belief, which is really an internal obstacle. But often it doesn’t seem like this, so in a way the obstacle is hidden.
And it’s because they are hidden that they hold us back. Once we’ve seen them for what they really are, which are just thoughts, we then immediately have more choice.
Here are some common hidden pitfalls:
1. Believing you have to sell yourself vs. focusing on discovering what your client really, really wants.
If we think we have to sell ourselves then our focus of attention will be on what we’re doing, how we’re coming across and if we look and sound right.
This is very tiring.
But when we focus entirely upon what our client wants then the focus is no longer on ourselves. This creates an entirely different energy and it feels good because what we enjoy most is making a difference.
Paradoxically, this also takes care of selling ourselves because the best way to do that is helping people get what they want.
2. Doing what drains your energy vs. what gives you energy
Almost everyone has tasks that they don’t particularly enjoy. But have you ever measured this? Just how much of your time and energy is taken up with things that drain your energy?
When you start building your life around what gives you energy it’s a game changer.
3. Believing only I can do this (failure to delegate)
Many business people get stuck because they believe that only they can do certain tasks. However, there are always people who will gladly do what you see as mundane AND they will most likely be better at them than you are, which frees you up to become far more effective.
4. Believing I need more confidence (discipline, courage, belief etc)
We often believe that we can’t move forward because we lack a certain quality, such as confidence.
But the mistake we make is not realising that we only get the quality AFTER the action. You don’t need belief, confidence or discipline to do what you want to do. You just need to get on and do it.
5. Staying with what I know
Staying with the familiar is one of the strongest forces in the human personality. It also holds us back from growing, developing and becoming more.
To keep a sense of aliveness we must always be trying new things, testing, and stepping into the unknown.
6. Focusing on the big picture instead of the next small step
Having a big vision is fine. But big visions often result in procrastination.
Life isn’t lived in a big future. It’s lived now, right here in the present moment. So, the only future that requires your fullest attention is the immediate future. What are you going to do right now?
7. Commitment phobia
Upping your results often means making a commitment. That may mean committing to serving a certain market. Committing to mastering what you do. Or committing to stopping old habits.
Commitment phobia is driven by fear of change or making a mistake. But we all fear change and we all make mistakes from time to time. There’s no secret. People who succeed are just trying more often.
Credit: www.dashfield.com
