I have completed my second book this week. It’s been a long and winding journey consisting of thinking up countless ideas, taking small but consistent steps, making a huge effort, and shedding a few fears and a tear or two. This is it; the deed is done. The manuscript is finally completed. As an executive and career coach I help my clients set and achieve meaningful goals. It goes without saying that part of the job is to remind them to celebrate their wins, big or small. I know that celebration, taking a moment to recognize the achievement and tap oneself on the shoulder, is important. And yet, I struggle to properly feel that sense of accomplishment. Although I crossed the proverbial finish line, I am still racing to cross items off of my seemingly never-ending to-do list.
Integrity is walking the talk. So, I must practice what I teach and take the time to celebrate typing the last word of the manuscript – woohoo! Here’s my celebration plan:
Drinking my 4th cup of coffee to a beautiful sunset (one more cup of uninterrupted coffee bliss than my normal consumption.)
Chocolate. Good quality dark chocolate is my absolute favorite way to treat and reward myself.
Now, this one might seem questionable to some people, but to me it’s a fun way to treat myself. I am making a quick trip to Utah to run the Hobble Creek Half Marathon this weekend.
A meaningful way for me to celebrate (and what I enjoy most) is to write about the experience. Here goes…
10 lessons I learned while writing my second book (applicable to all goals & career success):
Lesson #1 - Dare to Dream: it’s good to have room to grow.
There is always a gap between a dream and reality. When I was growing up, my parents bought us shoes that were a size too big so that we’d grow into them. The concept is valid for our dreams, too. They need to be a size too big so that we can grow into them.
Lesson #2 - The Time is Now: ready or not, just start.
There’s no such thing as being 100% ready to take on a big challenge. It’s never going to be just the right time with the starts perfectly aligned. There might never be a perfect time, place or conditions. If you want something, start now, where you are. It’s the actions that create the magic.
Lesson #3 - Courage is Within: BRACE yourself – Build Resilience And Create Excellence
Writing, and achieving any goal, is an act of creativity. Creating new things involves uncertainty, and it’s scary. Action breeds courage. If you want to overcome fear, go out and get busy. Courage is not about lack of fear. It’s starting with fear and growing braver proceeding in the direction of the goal.
Lesson #4 - Plan SMART (make your goal Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, & Time-bound): break big goals into small steps.
The best way to achieve big goals is to take small consistent steps. Once you have identified the end-result, narrow your focus and maintain attention on what will get you there. Success is incremental, a series of small steps. There is always a small enough step you can take.
Lesson #5 - Choose Your Thoughts Wisely: rethink your attitude to motivate action.
We are whatever our thoughts are. Thoughts create attitude. Attitude can either motivate and mobilize action, or deflate motivation and kill momentum. Chores are dull and not exciting. Reframe “I should” to “I choose.” It’s a privileged to dream, and it’s even a bigger one to be able to chase them.
Lesson #6 - It’s a Process: ideas need time to “gestate,” develop and grow.
In many ways, writing (and goal-setting) is a lot like pregnancy. Any big pursuit consists of three main stages: conception (planting the seed of the idea), gestation (growing the idea), and delivery (bringing the idea to fruition.) It feels like a miracle when an idea evolves and morphs with action.
Lesson #7 - Track your progress: do more of what’s working.
We get de-motivated when we feel our goals are too far off. Tracking your progress regularly will help you realize how much you’ve done and how far you’ve come in achieving your goal. Every step forward is an achievement. Track what goes well, and do more of it.
Lesson #8 - Seek Inspiration: keep your creativity well nourished.
A journey, by definition, is a long and often difficult process. Meaningful achievements require hard work and withstanding tough times and situations. When you are struggling through moments of doubt and despair, tapping into your sources of inspiration can give you energy and motivation.
Lesson # 9 – It Will Never Be Perfect: strive to do your best and get it done.
Instead of perfect, aim for excellence doing the best you can with what you have until you know better. Don’t wait to share your work only when it’s perfect because nothing we do is ever perfect. Striving for perfection is like waiting for Godot - we hold back, we wait, and we contribute nothing. Try to create the “extra” in “ordinary” to bring something of your own into this world.
Lesson # 10 - Reward Yourself: celebrate your wins.
An important part of reaching big goals is celebrating your progress. That’s why you need to list your wins, big or small, every day and for every week. Every forward movement is a reason to celebrate, not necessarily for making a big difference, but for successfully staying the course. Small wins build momentum and have enormous motivational power. Keep celebrating your wins until you reach your end goal.
As I celebrate the completed first draft of my book, I look forward to taking it through the (long) publication process to turn it into a finished book ready to hit the marketplace. I celebrate today knowing that there’s more to it and in me.
Now, I turn it over to you. What are you celebrating this week? What is your next goal? What small steps can you take today to get closer to meeting your big goal?
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