INSPIRATION INTO ACTION
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INSPIRATION INTO ACTION |
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Racing Past Your Life? Maximize Fulfillment and Fun in Your Consulting Practice October 1998 "I'm having a hard time getting up in the morning. Sales are down, old clients aren't coming back." Slumped in his seat, Malcolm had a handsome face, but his eyes were lackluster. He had been an independent management consultant for eight years, worked hard, and made good money for a while. But recently, he had lost his pace and couldnÕt figure out what had tripped him up. He needed help getting back on track. We began our professional coaching alliance to support his needs and goals. Our program was designed to stimulate and stretch his mind, body and spirit. First we clarified his eight core values, the ones he felt he could not live without. and rated how well he thought he was living each of them. Through inquiry, feedback and assignments I gave him, we explored what a fulfilling consulting practice would look and feel like. What Malcolm imagined differed from his present reality. Secretly, Malcolm dreamed of a five day work week, with one day spent in his home office reading, researching and doing administrative work. He wanted to play guitar, go kayaking, attend some of his daughterÕs soccer games and spend time with his wife. He pictured himself enjoying the roller coaster ride of his management consulting practice in balance with his personal needs. Over time, with weekly coaching sessions, Malcolm experimented with ways to bring his values to life. As a result, his relationships with his clients started turning around and he was better able to negotiate new and extended contracts. He had more resilience to tackle the challenges that his clients presented. He learned to say no to prospective clients that didnÕt fit within his values. We tracked what worked and what didnÕt. He began to define success in new ways and saw how he could have a satisfying professional career and a gratifying personal life. GETTING STARTED To get you started on the road to fulfillment and fun, consider the following questions over the next few months. Answer them as thoughtfully and honestly as you can. Notice what comes up for you as you pay attention. Keep a journal and record your experiments, explorations and learning. 1. What are your eight core values? Take a snapshot of your life today. List your core values on a piece of paper. On a scale from 1 (not at all) to 10 (great), indicate how well you are living each value. Write the number next to each core value. 2. How do you want to live each value? What will it take for you to move in those directions? 3. How can you connect your core values to your work? Barbara J. Chan This is excerpted from an article that first appeared in the October 1998 IMC Times, a publication of the Institute of Management Consultants. For more tips on gaining fulfillment a work, send mailto:inspired@barbarachan.com |
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© 1998 Barbara J. Chan. All rights reserved. |
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