Dr. Angela C. Hill | Talent Management Leader & Leadership Coach | Founder & CEO, Created2Catapult, a boutique HR consulting firm.
Earlier this year, I wrote an article on “becoming,” which focused more on who I need to become to get what I aspire to versus what it is I need to do to achieve the goal, whatever that may be. As the months have progressed, this theme has resonated even more, particularly as a helping professional.
A few weeks ago, while taking a walk, I was reminded of a piece of sage advice a mentor offered many years ago when I shared visions and dreams for my life. He said, “Wherever you’re going, you’ll get there head first.” When that came to mind, it set with me for a while, only to hear my coach share a few days later, “Everything gets built twice. Once in your mind and then in reality.”
Embracing the powerful call to action of going “head first” takes on profound significance, especially in a world where challenges constantly push us to grow and adapt. It requires bold and fearless action, diving into opportunities, facing obstacles with courage and proactively pursuing our goals and aspirations. It emphasizes the need to confront difficulties head-on, with determination and resilience, to overcome obstacles and thrive in an ever-changing environment.
Self-reflection allows us to assess our thoughts, feelings and motivations, acknowledging areas of growth and areas where we excel. By caring for ourselves and recognizing our needs, we can serve clients from a place of balance.
Additionally, self-reflection keeps us relevant and engaged in our profession, enabling us to re-assess our values, goals and direction, ensuring continuous growth alongside those we serve. To access a better version of ourselves, we must cultivate a growth mindset and embrace the principles of clarity, context, community and contribution.
Clarity
Clarity is a foundational state of mind where your thoughts and ideas become transparent and easily understood. It involves clearly defining what you want to achieve in your personal or professional development. Clarity empowers you to understand your values, beliefs and life goals in your personal growth, fostering profound self-awareness.
Similarly, in your professional development, clarity enables you to grasp your career goals, vision and objectives, aligning them with your values. Lacking clarity can lead to confusion, indecision and diminished motivation. Developing clarity is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and self-reflection.
Clarity is the foundation of your personal and professional development. It is the starting point for defining and achieving your goals and aspirations. Developing clarity requires ongoing self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. Try asking yourself the following questions to get clarity:
• What aspects of your life or work bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
• What are your core values, and how are they reflected in your daily life?
• What are your strengths, and how can you leverage them to create a meaningful impact?
• What actions or decisions align with your authentic self and bring you closer to your desired future?
Context
Context, encompassing internal and external factors, can profoundly influence our personal and professional development. It involves our upbringing, values, beliefs and experiences, shaping our perceptions and decision-making. Professionally, it entails our work environment, industry trends, organizational culture and role demands, guiding our growth and adaptability.
Recognizing context empowers us to identify areas for improvement, perform better and embrace change. Context is vital for development, allowing us to adapt, grow and succeed personally and professionally. Reflect on the questions below to evaluate your own context:
• In which environments or situations do you feel most energized and effective?
• How does your current context support or hinder your growth and development?
• What opportunities exist for you to expand your context and explore new areas of interest?
• What adjustments can you make to ensure your context is conducive to your personal and professional growth?
Community
Community serves as a vital component in personal and professional development. On a personal level, it encompasses like-minded people sharing common interests and values, fostering confidence, social skills and knowledge acquisition.
The professional realm revolves around industry-specific networks offering resources and career opportunities. Joining such communities enables individuals to learn, collaborate and grow, leading to success. In both contexts, community provides a sense of belonging, support and accountability, propelling growth and goal attainment. Think on the following questions to determine your community:
• Who are the individuals or groups that share your values and aspirations?
• Are there gaps in your community or areas where you seek additional support or connection?
• How can you create or nurture relationships that inspire and support your growth?
• What steps can you take to foster community, belonging, and collaboration?
Contribution
Contribution encompasses giving back to society, organizations or communities and goes beyond external acts of service. Contributing involves positively influencing others by sharing talents, skills and knowledge, leading to self-esteem, growth and purpose. Mentoring or assisting those in need can bring personal satisfaction.
Professionally, contribution means making a meaningful impact by exceeding expectations, supporting colleagues and sharing innovative ideas. Embracing contribution fosters growth, fulfillment and goodwill, positively impacting lives and society. Incorporating contribution as a regular part of life is integral to personal and professional development. Think about the following questions about your own contributions:
• What unique skills, knowledge or experiences do you possess that can make a positive difference in the lives of others?
• How can you align your personal or professional goals with creating value for others?
• How can you leverage your strengths to empower and uplift those around you?
• How can you leave a lasting legacy reflecting your contributions and impact?
By pushing ourselves to go head first into the unknown, we can unlock doors to extraordinary possibilities and pave the way for an extraordinary future. Prioritizing our growth and development is essential for our effectiveness in supporting others and finding personal fulfillment and purpose.
Through the lenses of clarity, context, community and contribution, we can embark on transformative journeys that lead to continuous growth, meaningful connections and lasting influence. In this journey, we must remember that true transformation occurs when we embrace vulnerability and step outside our comfort zones.
So, whatever greatness you’ve envisioned for yourself and the significant contribution you’re destined to make to the world, know you’ve got to go head first!
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