Are you committed?

To find out, ask yourself two questions.
Today’s tip comes from an article in the Harvard Business Review. Peter Bregman’s son was a downhill skier. His son complained that he always seemed to finish up solidly in the middle of the pack.
Mr. Bregman was an executive and leadership coach. He coached skiing on the weekends and had been a ski racer himself at his son’s age. He didn’t give his son any advice right  then and there. We’ve all been there. At that moment, when we haven’t achieved what we thought we could, what we really need is a hug and to know that someone loves us, not to hear how we COULD have won!
Later though, after the disappointment had worn off. Mr. Bregman talked to his son and asked him how he felt about the race. “I never get in the top 10.”, he complained.
Mr. Bregman then asked his son two questions. Two questions that can help YOU decide if you want to get better at something.
  1. Do you want to do better?
  2. Are you willing to feel the discomfort of putting in more effort, and trying new things that will feel weird and different, and won’t work right away?
I believe as Mr. Bregman does. ANYONE can get better at ANYTHING. But in order to get better, in order to be coached productively, you need to HONESTLY be able to answer “yes” to BOTH of those questions.
  • Do you want to lose weight? Are you willing to cut back on the calories you take in? Are you willing to get more exercise?
  • Do you want to become a better speaker? Are you willing to go and speak at different clubs and compete in contests?
It’s as simple as that folks. Do you want to get better? Are you willing to work for it?

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