Happy New Week Everyone.

We shall consider some potential obstacles to reaching your goals this week. Let’s assume you know what you want and you are right on track to accomplishing your goals. Suddenly without warning, you face an obstacle that blocks your progress. Obstacles that may arise can sap your energy, your time, and your enthusiasm. Reflect on the following list of obstacles that could block you from accomplishing your goals;

·        The feeling of security.

·        The fear of failure.

·        Uncertainty about my skills.

·        Changing the way I do things is not easy.

·        I have too many things to do.

Each of these is a potential barrier can cause a defeat but there are strategies for removing them—or at least for minimizing their impact. That will be our focus for this week.

THE FEELING OF SECURITY

The fear of loss of our security can be a big challenge especially when we are faced with a new opportunity. We feel safe just the way we are at the moment but the irony is that this security can change at a moment’s notice. It could be a personal tragedy, a major layoff at work or some other events that can put your security at risk and alter your life at a flash. Note that you don’t have control over all the elements that can potentially affect you so the best course of action is to build an internal security system within yourself rather than trying to grasp an intangible security that could change in a moment. The way to do this is to develop the coping skills that are essential for life in a world like ours which is filled uncertainties. Effective coping abilities include the ability to handle stressful events, the ability to take calculated risks and the ability to manage problems as they arise. As you build these skills, the fear of losing your security will diminish as an obstacle to your success.

Let’s consider the example below for clarity:

As at last year, someone I know was working as a management staff with a BMO and enjoyed the security of a regular salary and some benefits as a field staff but he got to a point where his daily work lacked challenge. At that point, something unexpected came up; he was transferred to Lagos without any prior hint to enable him prepare. He decided to weigh the merits of continuing in a secure but lackluster job versus the risk of seeking new challenges. Haven developed the skills for eventualities as discussed above, he decided to move on and face his coaching and consulting business. After a few months, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the lock down started. During this period, he learnt how to create online courses and started a series of his own online courses and that sustained him and his family and still does. Today, he has a large farm and is still making well thought out investments. The new person that replaced him in the former job is not finding it easy at all as the pandemic has turned the fortunes of the position south. For him, this was a lesson in how quickly one’s perceived security can change, and how important it is to develop the personal strength to cope with life’s changing circumstances and inherent risks.

To move further, kindly take a few moments to answer the following questions;

Are you willing to give up some of your perceived security to accomplish a goal? If not, why not?

Do you agree that to “not change a thing” can be a risk? Why?

Which of your goals seems risky? Why?

Kindly reach your friends and family to also benefit from this training by sending the link below to them and encourage them to sign up;

https://bit.ly/3jHBm4j

Ciao.

Emmanuel Dorgbaa

Your Coach