Executive Coach, Lifelong learner, Dad, Bass player, Outdoor Enthusiast, Former Apple Worldwide Director of Finance.
From Stuck to Success
Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. —Thomas Merton
Two of my clients were promoted last week.
Both were striving to reach the next level
And had been feeling stuck.
Each of them is clearly qualified to do the work,
But they weren’t getting the opportunity.
Even worse, the feedback they got was frustratingly vague.
They didn’t have a good sense of what to change in order to reach their goal.
As I got to know them over a period of time, I noticed a similarity.
Intensity.
They bring passion, focus, commitment, and hard work to their job… and to their whole life.
Whether it’s working out intensely, sticking to financial plans, or delivering a quality project at work — both of them push themselves to be the best.
Commitment, hard work, and focus are normally celebrated as positive traits.
What became apparent while working together is how that intensity was holding each of them back.
This is common for smart, ambitious people.
They get stuck in the A Trap, where the strengths that made you an A student and an A player become your biggest liability.
When your drive and intensity leads to stress and overworking, you don’t operate at your best.
When you’re so focused on results that you don’t bring the people around you along on the journey, you won’t go as far.
When you’re so intent on doing great work, you miss the bigger picture that is required to reach the next level.
Both of these people had to learn a new way of operating.
It was more about the HOW and about the WHAT.
It was about doing LESS rather than always trying to do MORE.
These can feel like risky bets for high achievers who have built their life by doing more, pushing harder, delivering the best work.
But that change may be just what is required to reach the next level.
To a different set of risks,
P.S. With 2023 right around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about what you want to accomplish next year. I’m considering launching a workshop this fall to help you set and achieve your biggest goals for the year. If you’re interested, reply to this message with the word “GOALS” and I’ll send you details.
Rusty Gaillard
Executive Coach, Lifelong learner, Dad, Bass player, Outdoor Enthusiast, Former Apple Worldwide Director of Finance.
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