A context for life and leadership.

Zen and not pushing....are we done yet?

I don't think I will ever be done, however I do think that I have learned a great deal, and had some deep contemplations and insights as a result of visiting my world from this perspective. I hope this has added some value to those of you who have communicated with me that you have been keeping up with the series. Thanks for the support.

I have the feeling that the next couple of months are important ones. I have started the year and established my Zen context and it seems to be working well.

Now is the time for action!

How many hours have been spent on trying to figure out the right formula for getting into action? As I begin moving, it is worthwhile to spend a little more time looking at this.

Over the last 15 years of coaching and consulting, I have come to recognize 2 categories of people in my clients and colleagues:

• Those that have to have all their 'ducks in a row' before they move into action; a lot of research and information with the potential of 'paralysis by analysis'.
  
• Those that 'just do it'; less information more big picture vision. The potential here is missing important details that insure successful execution, completion and longevity.

I would like to offer a third context for getting into action.

How does it make you feel?

The most important indicators for me to get into action are how I feel and my energy. So, I ask myself one question:

Does the prospect of this project/action give me energy, or take it away?

Let me give you an example.

I have a Equine Assisted Coach training program, http://www.metacg.com/upcoming_events.shtml, that begins in April and several people have told me I have a lot of guts to do it because it is a new field and I am if not the only, certainly one of the few who offer this. I don't agree that it takes guts because the answer to my question when considering this program was unequivocally this gives me energy. I am acting from my passion for coaching and horses! Yes, it is off the beaten corporate track and I do feel like a pioneer, but that gives me energy.

In contrast, I received a call from a very large and prestigious corporate group for coaching and consulting last week. As I was speaking to this person about the prospect of moving into action together, I realized that I was unconsciously 'spinning' what we offer to fit her request. In that moment, I became aware of how I felt and I was tired; very tired. The prospect of entering into a traditional coaching and consulting relationship from my 'work persona' was taking my energy away.

With that awareness I sighed and began to speak from my heart about what we do and its potential value for her and her company. The more I spoke the better I felt and more energy I had to really listen to her questions and answer them honestly. What initially felt like a really bad sales call ended up over an hour later with all parties interested in moving forward and into action toward the next step. Whatever the final outcome, I know I am not getting into action around a situation that takes my energy away.

So the next time you find yourself in a quandary about getting into action about something, stop and think what you need to get moving.

• Are you an 'all my ducks in a row' type of person? Identify and collect the information you need to move, but move it the operative word.
  
• Are you a 'just do it' person? Be sure you haven't overlooked some important detail that will come back to haunt you.
  
• Most importantly, how do you feel when you contemplate this action?
  
• Does this action give you energy?
  
• Does this action take your energy away?

I'm not promoting any one style. I am simply observing life in motion. And I know for certain that this makes me feel good and gives me energy.

A context for life and leadership.

Assisting organizations and individuals to change, grow and develop over the past 25 years has given MetaSystem Consulting Group the opportunity to identify certain consistent patterns in their operating systems. In keeping with our partnership approach to consulting, we have taken these common operating patterns of our clients and developed much of our coaching and consulting methodology around them.

We call these our MCG Operating Principles http://www.metacg.com/axioms.shtml. There are 10 of them.

Because of their particular relevance to getting into action and the fact that I have had personal experience with them this past week, I would like to share #'s 4 and 5 with you.

#4 Start at the beginning — or — Relationships, internal/external or leadership/management; begin at the moment of contact.
In an effort to expose the real causes of problems or reveal opportunities for organizations and individuals to evolve, we explore different layers. We have discovered time and again that if we dig deep enough, potential for both problems and opportunities were present at the very 'beginning'. Awareness of this alleviates a lot of expensive time spent on trying to fix recurring symptoms of a problem. Once you get down to the real causes, then these issues can be addressed and maintained. A band-aid will not cure a viral infection.

#5 Sensitivity to initial condition — or — The impact of the initial agreement is exponential.
This builds on #4. Whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing. If it is clarity and trust within a business deal, that firm foundation supports the partnership through thick and thin. If doubt and negativity accompany the launch of a new project or product, that same darkness seems to follow it throughout its usually problem fraught life. Building awareness of this condition into contracts and agreements creates firm foundations that keep business and relationships strong and on track producing amazing results.

I know this. I coach and consult from this place. Even so, this past week, I needed to revisit these words of wisdom.

In beginning a coaching relationship last month, for some reason, I decided to forgo the usual tools and framework that supports these principles. Both the client and I have been paying for it ever since.

I say the client because as a result of not paying attention to what was being revealed in the process, I became ineffectual as his coach, validating his feeling that there was not enough value in the relationship as well as his fear of true commitment to the process. And as #5 tells us, "whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing".

I am paying for it by playing into his patterns rather than helping him reveal them. It has also cost me a great deal of time and focus trying to get it all straight, if that is possible. Unfortunately, we are still in the process...

Upon reflection, I have to say a lot of this was probably due to money. Yes, in spite of so much work on developing my own awareness, maybe my insecurity and need for monetary 'safety' was the motivation behind this oversight. You know, just get it started and worry about the rest later. Then at least we will have the contract, and the money. I am wondering how many times I have to learn this one.

A great deal of my coaching comes from my own lessons in life. Therefore, as a result of my recent experience I offer you the opportunity to move into action from a place of clarity and awareness. Ask yourself:

• What are my assumptions around this action?
  
• What outcomes do I expect?
  
• Are these in alignment with other people involved in the action?
  
• What structures, agreements or contracts do I have in place to support the clarity of action and outcome?
  
• What agreed upon indicators do I have in place as milestones for success or trouble?
  
• Am I paying attention to what is happening from the moment of contact?
  
• What does this information tell me about this person or circumstance?
  

This sounds like coaching. But I also think it is a life thing.