Bye Bye Lone Ranger

Author : Shawn Driscoll
Well, we've made the transition into a New Year full of possibility. Even if you don't set resolutions, my guess is that you have some inkling of how you'd like this year to shape up. One of the biggest threats to your New Years' goals and ambitions is the Lone Ranger Syndrome. This syndrome is highly contagious and can derail the most motivated among us. Sheer determination, discipline, focus and motivation is rarely enough to sustain long term efforts. The Lone Ranger Syndrome compels us to act as if we can do everything, on our own and confuses us into thinking that seeking support is a weakness. The fact is, achieving great things in our lives, either personally or professionally, cannot be done alone.We can be the visionary, the mastermind, the strategist and the implementer, but we need support and help along the way. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto! Batman had Robin…and on and on. Changing how we live and work affects others. Involving others in the process makes sure they are in line with our efforts rather than resisting them. Now is the time to start tapping into your network to help you accomplish whatever it is you've set as a personal mission/goal.If you are a Lone Ranger, consider experimenting with something new. Think about your biggest, most challenging goal. Examine how achieving this goal impacts those you know. Who is impacted? How? How have you involved these people in your effort? Have you shared your goal with them? Have you asked for specific types of support? Have you used them as a resource to help you accomplish some part of your goal or hold you accountable? The more ways you get others to invest in your success, the more likely you are to be successful.USING YOUR NETWORKIf you are like most people, you have an average of 250 contacts. These people make up your network. Consider who you know through your family, work, school, community, neighborhood, church, sports, civic organizations, professional training, and those you go to for a service. Group your network into four different communities—Inner Circle, Advocates, Influencers and Resources. Each community serves a unique role in your success.The first, and most important, community is your Inner Circle (Personal Community). These are close family, friends and colleagues who help you be your best. They are your support system and want the best for you. Make a list of these people. How well have you enlisted them to be on your team for this goal? What do you most need from them in order to reach your goal with ease? Identify the ways in which they could support you. Ask them to participate in helping you achieve your goal. They'll be thrilled you did.Next, consider those who are your Advocates. These are the people who know you, your work or your business and think you are wonderful and do great things. These folks are willing and able to share your greatness with others. Who has seen you do well and knows fully what you are capable of (even if you don't quite see it yourself!)? Make a list of who these people are, especially as it relates to your current goal or challenge. In what ways could some or all of these people participate in helping you stay on goal? If you have a career goal, how can they advocate on your behalf? For personal goals, what encouragement or resources can they share with you to help you maintain your energy and momentum? Make a plan to tell them what you want to accomplish and willingly accept their generous endorsement.Centers of Influence are the third community to examine. These are the well-connected experts; the movers and shakers in your circles. Who do you know with direct connections or influence with decision makers that would be valuable to you in achieving your desired goal? If you are looking for a new job in a specific market, who do you know that is connected to hiring managers in your field? If you are looking for support on weight loss, who do you know who has accomplished this themselves or is a nutritionist, trainer, or involved in a weight loss program that works? Make a list of 5-10 Centers of Influence who you could connect with to get a big push in the right direction.Lastly, consider your Resource community. Who have you used personally or professionally for services, expertise, or support? Is there anyone in this area (hairstylist, resume writer, attorney, accountant, personal trainer, coach, etc…) who you could enlist as part of your team for this goal? Make a list of the types of expertise or people who would be helpful and see who you know. If you don't know someone, you can bet that those in your other communities will know someone to refer to you.GIVING BACKYes, it can be difficult to reach out to others and ask for help, support, referrals or assistance. But enter into it with a spirit of giving, rather than receiving and you will find it easier and more fun. Once you have your list of people in each community and have identified ways that they could support your goal, consider what you could offer in return. What are they working on that you could assist with? What role can you play for them (inner circle supporter? Professional advocate? Influencer? Resource?). Entering these relationships from a position of interdependence and mutual benefit is a key success strategy that works.Make this the year that you retire the mask and cape and give up your Lone Ranger identity. Reach out to others in the spirit of community and interdependence and build support for your success. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to stay on track with something you want when you've given voice to it by sharing it with others. And, having the support, assistance and involvement of a team takes the pressure off you to be "on" all the time! Have a fun year with your community network!Shawn Driscoll, owner of Succeed Coaching & Development, partners with motivated professionals to dramatically improve the quality of their career and lives. She challenges clients to stop struggling and sacrificing in the name of making a living and inspires them to re-define success on their own terms. Pick up your free copy of her special success report "How to Chart Your Course for Success and Fulfillment" at http://www.succeedcoaching.com/report.html.
Keyword : goal,motivation,success