There is No Spoon! Let go of what’s holding you back!
Learn to eliminate non-essential activities that consume your time and you will be ready to win in 2024.
Stay ready, so you never have to Get Ready!
Before we launch into “What You Need To Let Go” for 2024, let’s do a quick recap.
2023 is quickly coming to a close and it's the perfect time to focus on your leadership journey.
Here are some foundational thoughts to carry forward into the new year.
Action Over Intentions 🎬
Do resolutions work?
NOPE!
Resolutions often fall short because they lean towards goal-setting rather than action-taking. I’m not Anti-Goal, I’m Pro-Process.
While setting goals is valuable, it's crucial to understand why you're pursuing them.
Before committing to Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) and resolutions, spend more time considering the processes that can lead to success. Focusing on processes and developing Discipline - which happens to be my word for 2024 - New Article - Coming soon: What’s Your Word for 2024? Your habits will help you reach and in some cases exceed your goals.
Start Here! 🚦
What to Stop, Continue, and Start
These steps demand honesty introspection or they will not work.
First, identify what you should stop doing. Recognize the actions hindering your progress or keeping you stuck.
Next, acknowledge what's working well and should be continued. Get an accountability partner to help you refine and leverage what’s working.
Lastly, pinpoint what you need to start. Achieving more isn't about doing more; it's about adopting high-impact actions to drive progress.
Are you ready to Let Go of some stuff? ⬇️
Leave these mindsets in 2023!
Stop being a Generalist!
Gone are the days of being a wandering generality where leaders use their time for nothing specific.
A wandering generalist leader has vague goals and broad strategies, which in turn stunt their personal growth and leadership journey with a lack of clear, focused direction.
The reality is as a generalist, you wear multiple hats and tackle a ton of responsibilities, which undoubtedly are necessary and must be done. As a result, subconsciously you may feel you accomplish more than you are.
Recognize that being a jack-of-all-trades may have its merits, but it's time to shift towards becoming a specialist.
You must pivot towards honing your skills in a specialized direction. This isn't about abandoning your broad skillset; rather, it's about identifying that unique and specific problem your leadership style can best address.
What is it that makes you stand out? Do you know?
Most leaders don’t, so they hide in the generalities of leadership.
In 2024, you must be a meaningful specific leader. These leaders know their purpose and they have the passion and power to live their best life.
Why? How?
They intimately know their specialization which enhances their relevance and influence. Specializing allows you to dive deeper into a specific area, acquiring a level of expertise that sets you apart. It's a strategic move that elevates your game.
Action Step
Identify Your Specialization
Seek input from colleagues, a coach, mentors, and self-assessment tools to pinpoint areas where you can specialize.
Take the time to define precisely what you want to be known for, and then direct your efforts towards cultivating expertise in those specific areas. You'll find that this focus pays off in terms of leadership impact.
There is no Impostor Syndrome
You have earned that seat at the table.
Impostor syndrome can be a significant roadblock to your growth as a leader. It's that nagging feeling that you don't truly belong, even though you've earned the accolades. It's time to dismiss that notion and fully embrace your role.
Overcome impostor syndrome by reinforcing your personal brand, documenting your achievements, and seeking mentorship.
Your unique qualities and experiences have brought you here for a reason.
As Caroline Wanga, CEO, Essence aptly states, "Who you are is who you are. If you cannot be who you are where you are, you change where you are, not who you are."
This shift in mindset can have a profound impact on your journey.
Action Steps
Learn to become comfortable standing out from the rest
Actively reinforce your personal brand through:
📌 Learn to produce unique content to express your knowledge
📌 Become a guest on a podcast
📌 Try public speaking engagements. LOL, I sense your heart racing by just mentioning public speaking. It’s ok I’ve been there.
📌 Writing - when I finished grad school, I promised myself I was done writing. Here I am writing a weekly newsletter, writing a book - The Approachable Retail Leader, and finishing up my DBA in Leadership (tons of writing). Writing will stretch further than you know.
📌 Enhanced your online presence. Your profile (LinkedIn and internal employee systems) should not read like a resume but as a distinct call to action on the problems you have solved. Let others see your expertise and accomplishments. Your story is worth sharing.
Seek Mentorship
Connect with mentors who can provide valuable guidance and share their experiences. Their insights can help you navigate your leadership journey with greater confidence and clarity.
Action Beats Intention All Day Long™️
Let Go of the thought that you are “running out of time”
One common myth that holds leaders back is the notion that there's never enough time.
While coaching leaders, most subconsciously believe they are running out of time.
Time for what? Time to accomplish something of meaning and purpose.
In reality, there is enough time. The issue is there isn’t enough focus with the time you have. If leaders focus on the right things time become irrelevant.
For years, I too believed I was running our time. I would try to get promoted as fast as I could.
I would hire and build my teams as fast as possible.
If one company didn’t see my value, I found a company that would.
All of this was in search of accomplishing some elusive goal or idea. Sometimes chasing money, sometimes chasing title or position.
But what I really wanted was purpose…meaning. To be seen.
I know this sounds silly. But ask yourself, what are you chasing?
Challenge the belief that there's not enough time by prioritizing with purpose, focusing on one task at a time, and investing in time management strategies.
Action Steps
📌 Prioritize with Purpose - Identify tasks that align with your goals and vision, and focus on these. Delegate or eliminate non-essential activities that consume your time.
📌 Multitasking Myth - Concentrate on one task at a time, as this improves both efficiency and work quality.
📌 Consider coaching, community engagement, or personalized development to streamline your approach and make the most of your time.
What to do next?
Let us know what you are leaving behind in 2023.
What’s weighing you down? If it’s too heavy to carry, let it go.
Keep reading and sharing the newsletter. We have more great content to help get ready to Win in 2024.
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Btw I'm Steve Worthy, author of the upcoming book - "The Approachable Retail Leader"
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Go Crush It Where You Are!