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An idea on time management from a great life coach for personal development growth:
Prepare for Success
BY LEA BRANDENBURG
Reprinted with permission
If the journey to success comes at the end of many steps, how do you get ready to take those steps?
Every performer and athlete recognizes the value of rehearsing prior to working in public. Can you imagine Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan simply showing up at a golf tournament or basketball game without practicing, training or warming-up prior to the event? How many practice swings has Tiger Woods taken to build on his innate talents and gifts? How many times did Michael Jordan practice his 3-point shot in order to be able to deliver that move during a game, no matter what? Even Jerry Seinfeld, the comedian, whose sitcom is known for being about "nothing", performed 450 times in one year when he was developing his standup routine and comedic voice.
Even if you aren't planning on winning an NBA Championship, a PGA Trophy or getting your own television sitcom, you too can utilize rehearsal techniques to create successful outcomes for yourself. Here are a few suggestions and methods you can use to rehearse for new opportunities, challenging situations, important meetings, interviews or stressful circumstances you may find yourself face-to-face with:
As you rehearse, give yourself permission to engage in a process of exploration. One of the biggest benefits of rehearsing prior to an event is that you have the opportunity to experiment with what works and what doesn't work. During the rehearsal phase, don't force yourself to do it "right" or be "perfect". Give yourself the opportunity to make mistakes. That's what rehearsal and practice are for!
Become aware of your thinking during your rehearsal process. Take a moment and try this experiment: don't think about pink elephants. Really, don't think about pink elephants. What happens? Chances are, you just thought of pink elephants. If you want to succeed in a situation, think about how you want it to be -- specifically. Thinking about what you don't want to happen increases the odds that it will happen, because you haven't rehearsed how YOU WANT the situation to play out.
If you find yourself getting into the "don't think" mode, take your thinking one step further. If you "don't" want to appear insecure or without confidence in a business situation, ask yourself: what would secure and self-confident look like? How do you "want to be" in this particular situation? How can your body and voice convey confidence and security? In what way might you specifically communicate confidence through behavior? See yourself accomplishing your goal. Make it real in your mind, feel it, see it, believe it. Make the outcome you want to achieve tangible in your own mind by first mentally rehearsing and then by physically practicing the behavior.
Play out your worst-case scenario. What if your idea bombs, you give a lousy presentation, you get laid off, no one likes you, no one talks to you at a social function or you don't make the deadline? What if the worst really does happen? To prepare for a worst-case scenario, use this sentence structure: If the worst happens, then I will _________. If I get laid off, I will __________. By giving yourself the opportunity to play the worst-case scenario tape through, you shift your worry into anticipation and can prepare yourself with alternate plans of action. Rehearsal gives you the chance to challenge your fears and work through them before they have the opportunity to inhibit your performance.
Write out a script for yourself. For example, if you are concerned about an interview, write out questions you think you may get asked. Write out the questions you know you don't want to be asked. Then have someone ask you the questions. Rehearse your answers so that the words flow smoothly when you speak them and you "know your lines". You may never get asked any of the questions you rehearse, but you'll find that you feel more confident because you have rehearsed. And when you feel confident and prepared during a stressful situation you are able to stay relaxed enough to be fully present and in the moment. You can and will handle anything that comes up.
Build in time for daydreaming during your rehearsal process. Often as we prepare for difficult situations, tense interactions or new opportunities we lose track of what we really want. When we only focus on the short-term result (i.e.: get the job, make a good impression, give a great presentation or get a client), we tend to forget the bigger picture and what it means to us on a personal basis. Daydreaming helps you connect to your heart's desire, know what you really want and what your personal definition of success is.
Replay a past win. Each of us have many victories and wins we've experienced in our personal and professional lives. When you are faced with a difficult situation or a new challenge, remember a similar situation and review exactly what you did to be successful in past the situation. Use your past experiences as a roadmap and guide for your present and as evidence that you have the power to create successful outcomes for yourself.
As much as you prepare or rehearse for any situation, there is no way you can guarantee you'll be prepared for everything. Unless you own a crystal ball, chances are, you can't see into the future. But, what rehearsing can do for you is help you prepare for success by building your confidence and developing positive habits you can rely on. What rehearsing does do for you is guarantee that you will be able to repeat behavior confidently, no matter what.
Know your intention, know what a successful outcome would look like to you and then rehearse in order to get comfortable and polish your presentation and behavior. And, remember rehearsal involves not only visualizing your desired outcomes and mentally rehearsing, it also includes practicing behavior. Rehearsal is a process that takes place in your mind AND in your body.
© 2002, Lea Brandenburg
Lea Brandenburg is president of Creating Strategies in New York, NY, and has been coaching an international group of clients and businesses since 1997. Her areas of expertise and passion are interpersonal and business communication, intuitive intelligence and creativity. She is a graduate of Coach U, the coaching industry's premiere and oldest training program, a member of the International Coach Federation, which is an association dedicated to preserving the integrity and ethics of the coaching profession, and a Founding Member of Coachville, the first on line coaching training company and portal. You can contact her at lea@creatingstrategies.com. |
