I can’t stomach the thought of failing.
I must be perfect.
I already work hard.
It’s not obtainable for me.
They might find out I’m an imposter.
I don’t want to be accountable.
It’s not fair to me.
When we view a goal as a potential reflection of our core, fundamental selves (i.e., who we are) the goal becomes easy to condemn. It’s unfair. It’s wrong.
But advancement goals are not that. Or, at least they shouldn’t be.
Advancement goals should be a reflection of our work effectiveness, our skills, the results based on our strategies, our expertise. All things that each of us can learn more about and get better at in some way, shape, or form.
Who we are is never the same as what we do. For example, we don’t meet people’s expertise first. We meet their being, their energy, how they show up. Are they interested? Are they authentic? Do they care?
I can always get better at what I do. And, I will always show up open and willing.
When we hold these two assumptions consistently, specific goals start to matter much less.
