Recently, after working hard one day on a couple of proposals with an impending deadline, I noticed that dusk was approaching and I had not yet gone for my daily one hour walk. Feeling under-pressure to complete everything within my deadlines, I first considered forgoing the walk. Remembering my commitment to exercise every day, I reasoned that I could fit in a ‘less impactful’ 30 minute walk/run.

I began running and as I started to fear ‘distress,’ I decided to walk, when I suddenly remembered the quotation, “Courage is fear hanging on one minute longer” by George S. Patton. I immediately returned to a running pace and decided to hang in and see how long I could actually run (and stop only when necessary.) Within a very short time, I had picked up a second wind and was striding up and down the hills. I ran my entire designated route and was back home within 30 minutes.

I was reminded of some powerful maxims this day. First, I had adopted a complacent standard in that I was not capable of running steady for more than ten minutes at a time. Second, I experienced how empowering, “staying true to my commitments” can be. Twice, I was tempted to give in, but persevered and felt the bliss of accomplishment. In this case, a higher level of attainment was only a minute away.

It prompts me to wonder how many businesses or managers of organizations fall prey to this trap, expecting moderate results (for reasons of a struggling economy) and end up missing out on the excitement of improved performance and enhanced results.

This is not to say that all fear is bad, for it has a vital role in ensuring physical survival. But, making non-life threatening decisions fuelled by fear can lead to poor decisions and less-desirable results.

In order to make ‘more informed’ and better decisions, one can use a simple ‘truth tester’ such as:

1.       What is the ‘right’ thing to do here?

2.       What are the long-term implications?

3.       How can I mitigate the risk?

4.       Does my decision still align with my values and principles?

Taking the time to consider ‘self-motivations’ and balance the risk assessment before one acts (or does not act) is crucial to effective decision-making and getting the results one truly desires.  

It is only when we challenge a potential ‘self-limiting belief’ that we begin to see different options with higher possibilities. What we envision for the future is limited to what we are willing to accept. What we achieve often depends on how well we manage the fear (and persevere) along the way.

Feel free to comment -or- if you would like to discuss an issue that may require change, please contact: Linda Reddin @ 250 682 6482 or linda@astrategicedgecoaching.com.