Are you guilty of the "all or nothing" syndrome?
If I had a dollar for every time a coaching client told me, "I don't have time to <fill in the blank>," well, I'd be a millionaire. I find that this lack of time seems to be particularly pervasive with my women clients, particularly when the subject of exercise comes up.
I will tell yout that while it's frequently a matter of priority, more often than not, it's a matter of an "all or nothing mentailty." For example, I hear things like, "I feel lethargic and my clothes feel tight but I don't have an hour to workout," or "I know I'd feel better if I exercised but I don't have time to drive to the gym." Sound familiar?
This is the problem with an "all or nothing" mentality where we think in terms of doing things but only in big chunks of time. We either do it all or we do nothing. How sad is that?
Instead, replace that mentality with a "yes and .... mentality." It goes something like this. "Yes, I need to work out and I can start by walking 10 minutes a day on my lunch hour." I mean really. Can't we all carve out 10 minutes for better health particularly if it will make us feel more energized and our clothes fit better? I think so. Don't you?
Obviously this "yes and..." mentality can apply to a broad range of activities we know we should undertake but which we are forever burying under an "all or nothing" attitude. Think about how you can apply this to your personal or professional life.
Next time I talk to one of my coaching clients (or perhaps even one of you!) I hope instead of hearing the ever popular refrain, "I don't have time," that just one of them will tell me, "Yes Regina, I need to <fill in the blank> and I will <insert action to be taken>." If that happens, I'll be clicking my heels all day.
I will tell yout that while it's frequently a matter of priority, more often than not, it's a matter of an "all or nothing mentailty." For example, I hear things like, "I feel lethargic and my clothes feel tight but I don't have an hour to workout," or "I know I'd feel better if I exercised but I don't have time to drive to the gym." Sound familiar?
This is the problem with an "all or nothing" mentality where we think in terms of doing things but only in big chunks of time. We either do it all or we do nothing. How sad is that?
Instead, replace that mentality with a "yes and .... mentality." It goes something like this. "Yes, I need to work out and I can start by walking 10 minutes a day on my lunch hour." I mean really. Can't we all carve out 10 minutes for better health particularly if it will make us feel more energized and our clothes fit better? I think so. Don't you?
Obviously this "yes and..." mentality can apply to a broad range of activities we know we should undertake but which we are forever burying under an "all or nothing" attitude. Think about how you can apply this to your personal or professional life.
Next time I talk to one of my coaching clients (or perhaps even one of you!) I hope instead of hearing the ever popular refrain, "I don't have time," that just one of them will tell me, "Yes Regina, I need to <fill in the blank> and I will <insert action to be taken>." If that happens, I'll be clicking my heels all day.
Posted by Regina Barr at 8/10/2011 2:28 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: aspiring women leaders leadership development Women at the Top Personal Accountability
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: aspiring women leaders leadership development Women at the Top Personal Accountability
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