As we are starting 2003, I have a few questions for you: Is there something specific that you hope to accomplish this year? Is there something that you have been thinking about doing for yourself, your career or your family? Do you have an inner-passion to accomplish more in your life?
There are countless reports, books, programs; you name it, which talk about the power of setting goals. Statistics will tell you that only about five percent of us in this country actually sit down and write out what we want to accomplish for any given time period; whether it is for the year, month, week or day. I am going to presume that each of us will take a few moments to accomplish the above task. I am going to take it a step deeper and discuss a force that can hamper the achievement of our goals, fulfillment in life and our earning potential. That force is called “creative avoidance.”
Creative avoidance is the practice of making excuses for the unaccomplished task; letting our self-doubts, second-guessing and imposed potential, get in the way of taking that first step in the direction that we want to go. Bottom linewhen we take our emotions out of it, we will find that creative avoidance is simply letting our fears get in the way. Whether it is fear of failure, success, looking stupid, vulnerability, all the work it is going to take to make this happen, how other people will react or just general lack of belief in ourselves; fear can, and will, get in the way.
If you have had something that you have been meaning to do the last few years and yet, still have not completed it, take some time to reflect on “why?” If it is something you no longer want, then dispose of it. However, if it is something that you still want to make happen, figure out what is stopping you from taking that first step. Set your emotions aside and look at it as logically as you can. I find writing things out helps me to do that. Write it out and come back to it the next day. See if you still feel the same way. Ask yourself what you are afraid of. Don’t let your pride get in the way. Simply accept your current emotion. If you don’t accept it, you will never get beyond it. We are all affected by this emotion. Whether it is to increase our business, change our career, gain control of our health, take a mission trip or simply find time for ourselves, we are all affected by our creative excuses. The provoking question is why?
Once you accept the current situation, find someone to be accountable towards. If not accountability, then someone that can encourage you when you need it. Someone that will listen to you as you talk through your fears or self-doubts or limiting beliefs. Ask yourself the following questions: “What is the worst that could happen due to this?” Or “Will I, someday, regret it if I keep setting this task aside?” The answers to those two questions will be your driving force. The answers to those two questions will help you overcome creative avoidance.
Please understand that overcoming this “force” is a life-long venture. It is crucial that you accept the fact that everyday brings new challenges, obstacles and people your way. The key is to be able to identify when you are avoiding something due to lack of courage. Work on the above solutions and I am confident that you will be able to combat this thingone step at a time.
COPYRIGHT 2003, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, PLM Inc.
Peggy L. McNamara works with organizations that want to Stimulate Some
Action and with association executives that want inspiring, practical
value from their events. Author of “My Tender Soul – A Story of Survival”
Publishes monthly e-zine, “Perpetual Life Management” President/Minnesota
Chapter/ Nat’l Speakers Assoc 651-438-2656 – direct 651-438-2694 – fax
888-269-7771 http://www.peggymcnamara.com
