Avoid The Waiting Place

Copyright (c) 2009 Footprint Leadership

"The Waiting Place...for people just waiting."

"Waiting for a train to go Or a bus to come, or a plane to go Or the mail to come, or the rain to go Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow Or waiting around for a Yes or No Or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting."

"Waiting for the fish to bite Or waiting for wind to fly a kite Or waiting around for a Friday night Or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake Or a pot to boil, or a Better Break Or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants Or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting."

Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!, Random House

I've spent more than my fair share of time hiding out in "The Waiting Place" as Dr. Seuss so vividly described. If you want to create what you want in life, "The Waiting Place" is clearly not the place to be.

Seems obvious right? Yet surprisingly, bright and talented people find themselves in that spot more often than they'd like to admit.

Here are a few situations I've come across recently:

1. A very talented HR executive was promoted to run the company Human Resources function on a national scope. She's been waiting for six months for the CEO to share with her "the HR vision" he has for the company before she proceeds (like he knows better than her). "I've been keeping busy with day-to-day projects in the meantime," she says.

2. A very talented business leader took a senior role in an association and was waiting for the "right time" to take the helm and begin shaping the direction of the organization. "After all, I don't want to offend anyone or come on too strong."

3. An experienced Vice President in an organization is passionate about leaving his role and starting a new company. He's waiting for all the "right signs" to appear so he can feel safe the venture will be a success. In the meantime, he's doing little to research it. "I'm so confused about what to do."

4. The company a well respected senior manager works for was taken over. He was waiting (and waiting) for "the dust to settle" before approaching the new management to discuss the fabulous ideas he has about the future of the company and his role within it. "I don't want to upset the apple-cart," he said.

Apple carts = the status quo.

The destination of the apple cart is predictable.

If you want a different destination or result, you'll need to start upsetting apple carts. I'll bet though, the biggest and most comfortable apple cart you'll need to "upset" is your own.

Coaching Fieldwork:

Did you ever notice that things don't change for the better in "The Waiting Place"? CEO's don't walk in with perfect HR visions, business plans for new companies don't magically fall into your lap, new leadership teams don't stand up and say "welcome fearless leader, we're so glad YOU'RE here to save the day!"; dream jobs are rarely handed to you on a silver platter.

Instead, "The Waiting Place" is often filled with self-doubt and questioning about ourselves, the people who "control" the situation, or the circumstances themselves.

Here are some examples of "Waiting Place" thinking from the above examples:

1. "I'll go to another company where the CEO has more vision"

2. "Who am I to lead this executive team?"

3. "Maybe starting this venture isn't such a great idea"

4. "I'm not sure if there's a place for me now we've been bought out."

The problem of course is when we're IN "The Waiting Place", we often don't see it. Our reasons excuses and justifications appear real to us.

Here are some signs you're in "The Waiting Place":

1. You're finding great reasons not to proceed without fully checking your "reasons" out.

2. Complacency is creeping in or your sense of urgency in this area of your life is diminished.

3. Your energy/enthusiasm/passion in this area is lowering.

4. You find yourself complaining about your circumstances.

5. You're questioning yourself, your abilities or how it'll all turn out.

Think of it this way: anytime you're having that all too familiar negative conversation with yourself, you're simply NOT IN THE GAME. In fact, you're watching it from the stands/"The Waiting Place."

You are responsible for drawing what you want towards you, not waiting, perhaps, for your "Uncle Jake, or a pot to boil, or a Better Break..."

YOU are the one who gets to say how it goes.

So...get on your way!


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By Jamie Broughton of Footprint Leadership. If you're ready to build a stellar business and career without working harder than you already are, get your complimentary Leadership Springboard Workbook and tips now at http://www.footprintleadership.com/corporate/resources/workbook_ezine.html
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