The Art of Starting Over
I've learned that it pays to understand the art of starting over if you are an entrepreneur or business leader. My professional journey has been filled with starts, stops, and all the fun that happens in between. Starting something new can be intimidating and overwhelming. The beginning can be the most challenging part, whether it's a new job, a new hobby, or a new relationship. Take it from me, a lifelong Activator; starting something new can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences with the right mindset and approach.
The first step in mastering the art of starting is clearly understanding your talents or strengths. Your talents are your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. A simple way to understand yourself better is through taking the CliftonStengths Assessment. The Clifton Strengths Assessment is designed to help individuals discover their unique strengths and talents. It is based on the belief that focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses can lead to greater success and fulfillment. The assessment measures 34 themes, such as communication, empathy, and strategic thinking, and provides individuals with a personalized report highlighting their top five strengths.
Knowing your strengths is key to unlocking and clarifying the life you want to live and the career you want to build. It's one thing to take an assessment. It's another to engage a coach in the process. I highly recommend a coach who can help you understand and utilize your strengths daily at work.
Step two is to set clear goals and intentions with your strengths in mind. Take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve and why you are embarking on this new journey. Write down your goals and keep them visible as a reminder of what you are working towards.
The famous motivational speaker, author, and dad, Zig Ziglar, believed that setting goals is essential to success. Ziglar thought goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. He encouraged people to write down their goals and review them regularly, making adjustments as necessary.
Next, break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. This will make the process of starting to feel less daunting and more manageable. Celebrate each small victory to keep your motivation and momentum going.
At this point, your coach can help you to stay focused on what is possible and be a source of calibration and guidance. Seek a coach with experience and one that you value and trust in their process. Their insight and advice can be invaluable in navigating the early stages of a new endeavor.
Finally, embrace the unknown and the inevitable mistakes of starting something new. Remember that every successful person has had their fair share of failures and setbacks. Use these experiences as opportunities to learn and grow rather than allowing them to discourage you. The road to excellence always begins humbly.
Starting anything new can be scary, but it can also be enriching. With the right mindset, approach, and support, you can master creating and achieving your desired success as you start over. For more on starting over, listen to Essentially You, and to experience a complimentary coaching experience visit markmathia.com.
We can all use a bit of inspirations when it comes to starting over. Enjoy Starting Over by Omaha's own Beachmont!