StartingOverNow.com
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Get "Unstuck" - Be More Productive
Most people have hopes and dreams. Most people understand
what it will take to get to those dreams. And most people at some
point in their lives accept that they probably won’t get there and give
up hope. Why? Because they can’t seem to get the issues that
haunt them out of the way. The pain of first uncovering the demons,
facing them and then knowing how to tame them seems
impossible. But there is a way.
Throughout our lives we begin to notice that certain negative
behaviors tend to repeat themselves – career choices that aren’t
fulfilling, bad choices in romance, reactive and defensive behavior
when being criticized, lack of solid friendships, disinterest in things
that should matter. We start to notice a pattern in how people
describe us: controlling, stubborn, under-performing, difficult, cold,
inconsiderate, self-absorbed, irresponsible. Nobody grows up and
wants to become these things. And nobody really wants to admit
that they act this way. So we justify our behavior as simply other
people’s misinterpretations, insensitivity or jealousy. But the truth is
that when enough people repeatedly give us the same feedback
whether it be direct or indirect, we have to take a look at our own
behavior. It can’t always be someone else’s interpretation.
Many times people who are at a juncture in their lives where they
want to move forward but aren’t able to don’t understand why they
just can’t seem to do what needs to be done. Certain emotions
when conjured up bring about a habitual reaction that may be rooted
in the past. I’ve coached many people with the same issue from
CEOs to people in transition. Intellectually they know pretty well
what they need to do. They can articulate fairly clearly their “to-do”
list and yet the important things don’t seem to get “to-done.”
Sometimes the lack of productiveness is because the “to-do” list is
out of alignment with their values and focusing on the end result
might bring them closer to their values as opposed to the tasks to
get there. Sometimes once they define their values they see that
what they thought they needed to focus on is not going to bring them
closer to fulfillment after all and that they begin to re-examine their
goals. You can define and refine your values with an exercise on my
website at "Values - How to Define Them and Get What You Want."
Oftentimes, however, there is a voice in just about everybody’s head
that is repeating a limiting conviction whereby you practice failure in
your mind before it even happens. “You’re too old.” “You’re too
young.” “You don’t have enough experience.” “You have too much
experience.” “You’re not attractive.” “Don’t fall in love - you always
get hurt.” “Don’t try that, it’s too risky and you will fail just like last
time.” “You’ll never be able to do that.” “Nobody works hard
anymore.” “I’m picky because I deserve better.” An undetected and
reconciled gremlin can manifest itself in physical symptoms such
as asthma, ulcers, headaches, backaches, neuroses and more.
What is the gremlin in your head telling you? How does it inhibit
your ability to get what you want? Are you willing to stare it in the
face? What does it look like? Draw it on paper. Hang it where you
can see it so that you may get comfortable with it. You can’t expect
to rid your life of your gremlin entirely. It is too comfortable with you
and you with it. But if you can give it something to do, you might just
be able to move around it in a positive direction while it’s pre-
occupied.
The Preoccupying Your Gremlin Exercise
The next time you have a goal in mind and your gremlin peppers you
with self-doubt notice that it’s there and ask it to sit with you for a
moment. You know what it looks like from the sketch that you
made. Noticing it is the first step to disarming it. In this moment
you are no longer ensnarled with your gremlin. You are its
spectator. Look it in the face. Take a deep breath – all the way to
your stomach. Slowly exhale from your stomach. Fear is your
gremlin’s primary tool. In his book “Taming Your Gremlin” Rick
Carson reminds us that most people’s biggest fears are around
abandonment, pain and death. Your gremlin will tell you that
tensing up against these fears will ease the discomfort when in fact
all that does is initiate the discomfort and limit the possibility for
intimacy.
What is your gremlin doing as you are maintaining control of your
goals? In another article I suggest that if it is really unwieldy give it a
virtual drink of something that will pacify it - top shelf whisky,
chamomile tea. Ask yourself during this exercise, “Regarding my
goal, what is the consequence of doing nothing.”
If you make habit of noticing your gremlin and co-existing with it as a
disciplined creature you will find that you are able to direct it to keep
busy while you get what you want. Who would have thought?
The Zen Theory of Change is: "I free myself not by trying to be free,
but by simply noticing how I am imprisoning myself in the very
moment I am imprisoning myself." Start now!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee’s tips on Twitter
at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee’s free tip sheets on "Feel the Fear – How to Build Self
Confidence" and “Replace the Mad Hatter with Your Personal Plan”.
Mary Lee Gannon is an executive coach, personal turnaround,
leadership and productivity expert who went from being a stay-at-
home mother with four children living a country club life to the reality
of a difficult marriage, divorce, homelessness, and welfare. As a
guest speaker, she demonstrates how she went from an earning
capacity of $27,000 to president and CEO. Her book "Starting Over
- 25 Rules for When You've Bottomed Out" is available in
bookstores and online. Email Mary Lee at info@StartingOverNow.
com.
Most people have hopes and dreams. Most people understand
what it will take to get to those dreams. And most people at some
point in their lives accept that they probably won’t get there and give
up hope. Why? Because they can’t seem to get the issues that
haunt them out of the way. The pain of first uncovering the demons,
facing them and then knowing how to tame them seems
impossible. But there is a way.
Throughout our lives we begin to notice that certain negative
behaviors tend to repeat themselves – career choices that aren’t
fulfilling, bad choices in romance, reactive and defensive behavior
when being criticized, lack of solid friendships, disinterest in things
that should matter. We start to notice a pattern in how people
describe us: controlling, stubborn, under-performing, difficult, cold,
inconsiderate, self-absorbed, irresponsible. Nobody grows up and
wants to become these things. And nobody really wants to admit
that they act this way. So we justify our behavior as simply other
people’s misinterpretations, insensitivity or jealousy. But the truth is
that when enough people repeatedly give us the same feedback
whether it be direct or indirect, we have to take a look at our own
behavior. It can’t always be someone else’s interpretation.
Many times people who are at a juncture in their lives where they
want to move forward but aren’t able to don’t understand why they
just can’t seem to do what needs to be done. Certain emotions
when conjured up bring about a habitual reaction that may be rooted
in the past. I’ve coached many people with the same issue from
CEOs to people in transition. Intellectually they know pretty well
what they need to do. They can articulate fairly clearly their “to-do”
list and yet the important things don’t seem to get “to-done.”
Sometimes the lack of productiveness is because the “to-do” list is
out of alignment with their values and focusing on the end result
might bring them closer to their values as opposed to the tasks to
get there. Sometimes once they define their values they see that
what they thought they needed to focus on is not going to bring them
closer to fulfillment after all and that they begin to re-examine their
goals. You can define and refine your values with an exercise on my
website at "Values - How to Define Them and Get What You Want."
Oftentimes, however, there is a voice in just about everybody’s head
that is repeating a limiting conviction whereby you practice failure in
your mind before it even happens. “You’re too old.” “You’re too
young.” “You don’t have enough experience.” “You have too much
experience.” “You’re not attractive.” “Don’t fall in love - you always
get hurt.” “Don’t try that, it’s too risky and you will fail just like last
time.” “You’ll never be able to do that.” “Nobody works hard
anymore.” “I’m picky because I deserve better.” An undetected and
reconciled gremlin can manifest itself in physical symptoms such
as asthma, ulcers, headaches, backaches, neuroses and more.
What is the gremlin in your head telling you? How does it inhibit
your ability to get what you want? Are you willing to stare it in the
face? What does it look like? Draw it on paper. Hang it where you
can see it so that you may get comfortable with it. You can’t expect
to rid your life of your gremlin entirely. It is too comfortable with you
and you with it. But if you can give it something to do, you might just
be able to move around it in a positive direction while it’s pre-
occupied.
The Preoccupying Your Gremlin Exercise
The next time you have a goal in mind and your gremlin peppers you
with self-doubt notice that it’s there and ask it to sit with you for a
moment. You know what it looks like from the sketch that you
made. Noticing it is the first step to disarming it. In this moment
you are no longer ensnarled with your gremlin. You are its
spectator. Look it in the face. Take a deep breath – all the way to
your stomach. Slowly exhale from your stomach. Fear is your
gremlin’s primary tool. In his book “Taming Your Gremlin” Rick
Carson reminds us that most people’s biggest fears are around
abandonment, pain and death. Your gremlin will tell you that
tensing up against these fears will ease the discomfort when in fact
all that does is initiate the discomfort and limit the possibility for
intimacy.
What is your gremlin doing as you are maintaining control of your
goals? In another article I suggest that if it is really unwieldy give it a
virtual drink of something that will pacify it - top shelf whisky,
chamomile tea. Ask yourself during this exercise, “Regarding my
goal, what is the consequence of doing nothing.”
If you make habit of noticing your gremlin and co-existing with it as a
disciplined creature you will find that you are able to direct it to keep
busy while you get what you want. Who would have thought?
The Zen Theory of Change is: "I free myself not by trying to be free,
but by simply noticing how I am imprisoning myself in the very
moment I am imprisoning myself." Start now!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee’s tips on Twitter
at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee’s free tip sheets on "Feel the Fear – How to Build Self
Confidence" and “Replace the Mad Hatter with Your Personal Plan”.
Mary Lee Gannon is an executive coach, personal turnaround,
leadership and productivity expert who went from being a stay-at-
home mother with four children living a country club life to the reality
of a difficult marriage, divorce, homelessness, and welfare. As a
guest speaker, she demonstrates how she went from an earning
capacity of $27,000 to president and CEO. Her book "Starting Over
- 25 Rules for When You've Bottomed Out" is available in
bookstores and online. Email Mary Lee at info@StartingOverNow.
com.
StartingOverNow.com
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"Worksheets and
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FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
Turnaround Solutions for People & Organizations
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
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FREE Resources
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
| Mary Lee Gannon is interviewed on Mind Your BIZness |
Listen to Mary
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Gannon Group/StartingOverNow.com
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Get the FREE e-Book "Lead Your
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Mary Lee Gannon's
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
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