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I know this young woman who approaches her life and career choices in a very determined way. She chose her soul mate early on, meeting in high school and marrying right after college. She followed her true graphics design passion and landed a top job in a consulting firm. Like many in her generation, she decided that changing careers was the best way to experience life and she decided to pursue a teaching certification. As you may guess, she attained a position in education right after she graduated and is now a tenured elementary school teacher. But wait, there is more. Her husband too never gives up. After contemplating a career move to pharmacy, he just got off the waiting list for pharmacy school and two days later the entire family needed to move 8 hours away. And finally, this persistent young woman, found another elementary school position in her new residence as well as a house to rent in one weeks time. I have known this extraordinary woman since her birth and she is my “never say no” niece.

How can someone be so able to “will” actions to happen?

 Is this just luck hovering over her or is she leading her life in a very purposeful way?

 As we explore our choices at work or in our personal lives, we can allow things to just happen or we can deliberately plan for the forks in the road. We can empower ourselves to take action on what works for each of us.

[Tweet “Leaders plan for the crossroads along the way.”]

I am a believer leaders make their own luck in how they approach choices and decisions. Working with many leaders through the years I have noticed some just cave into changes that befall them while others dust themselves off and seem to embrace the challenges. Our personalities may play into our survival attitudes but I would argue that we all have the ability to direct our options. Are you ready to lead by sheer “will”?

THINK POSSIBILITIES

I think the first step in paving a path from luck to execution is thinking about options and alternatives to the status quo. In my niece’s case, she recognized that she may need to adjust her career choice or remain unhappy. What might that mean for you? That might mean staying in a current position and enriching some of your responsibilities or delving into some new territories. The essential piece is saying to yourself that there are other ways to lead your career or life.

 DEVELOP A PLAN

Once you know what other directions you want to pursue, create a map to help make the necessary moves.

  • Do you need a certification? Where could you get that?
  • Does your plan involve speaking with other people?
  • Talk to everyone you know in you field you may be interested in.
  • Create a timeline of when you want to reach certain milestones in order to know when you have arrived where you want to be.

 MINDSET SHIFT TO “YES I CAN”

Probably most important, you need to visualize going from a dream to a landing using your inner positive self-talk. Sometimes I will be working with leaders who keep saying that they are feeling unfulfilled but can’t imagine doing anything about it. They see themselves as a victim of circumstance:

“I need to keep this job and not rock the boat.”

“I don’t have the time to figure this out.”

“I should be grateful for what I have.”

[Tweet “Leaders make things happen when luck knocks at their door.”]

Take hold of your anxiety and reposition yourself to think positively.

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Finally, take action and stop putting off what would excite you and empower you to come alive. Once you know where you want to head and what change you need to make then become a “never say no” leader just like my niece.

Are you a leader who can “will” things to happen? What strategies have worked for you?

 

 

 

 

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