Coaching Corner: It's all about the process
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
For any of you who read this blog regularly (thank you), you know that I speak often to the idea of setting goals/intentions/desires. Today, I want to add another piece to this, one that I am finding personally intriguing. Using the word goal has never been my favorite -- I find it overused and watered down. Having said that, I will be using it throughout this blog for the sake of simplicity.
When we decide on a goal, I have recommended that you “vet” the goal internally with probing questions as to why you want this particular goal to occur. Keep the questions coming...what is important to you about this goal? How will it impact your life? Others lives? What obstacles do you see that might keep it from happening? I still want these and other questions as part of the process -- I find real value in examining the goal, rather than just jumping in.
When we look closely at our “why,” we are doing so from a fully realized goal. What if we begin, also, to place some attention on the “how” of achieving this goal. I know, you already identify action steps to bring your goal into reality -- I get it. And, let’s go further. What if...you were able to achieve even more personal satisfaction from the action steps than the actual goal? Oh my! That’s not to say the goal will not be fulfilling to you when you achieve it. It does mean that often, we hang our “feel good” on when _________ occurs.
So, rather than putting all of your eggs in the completed basket, you can now pay careful attention to the lovely process of how you are getting where you are headed. Admit it -- there are times during goal setting where our action steps are created as a means to an end. My invitation to you is to have those steps take a higher priority in the process. What steps would feel really good to you in moving towards your goal? How can you milk each step to bring as much satisfaction as possible? Perhaps, even excitement!
Perhaps you currently do this and I am coming late to the game. If not, you may find this thought helpful in the completions of your chosen goals. I hope so! Have fun with this!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
