Your Leap Beyond eLetter
January 2009

Forward Focus vs. Fear in '09

Too many people I know are scared. In these economically unstable times, doubt and fear of uncertainty are still running rampant. Unfortunately, fear prompts retreat. And this is just the opposite of what will assist you and your team members to thrive.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Gregory Berns a neuro-economist, told of his brain-imaging experiment with the fear system of the human brain and how to keep it from impeding sound decision making. In his study he observed that our fears are being generalized to the workplace and everything associated with work and money. Including that many of us are caught in a spiral in which we are so scared of losing a job or our savings, that fear takes over the brain. And this makes it impossible to concentrate on anything but self preservation.

Ultimately, no good can come from this type of thinking and decision making. It's the antipode to progress and any value creation in life or the workplace. All this worry takes energy and when the fear system of the brain is active…exploratory activity and risk taking are turned off.

So what to do? Well, not being a fear-monger is a great idea! How about avoiding people who are overly pessimistic about the economy, your company or anything. Turning off the media that keeps fanning the emotional flames. This doesn't mean sticking your head in the sand, sure it means being prepared, by looking forward.

This is the ideal time to start moving forward with massive action. Forward focus is a key piece for stabilizing. Give the following a try either individually or with your team members. Write down your answers to:

1. What's already working? At any given time there is more going right than not. Take a look at what successes you have had and are having now. This starts the forward focus/solution focus vs. staying stuck in the problem focus and fear. Get your creative energy back in play.
2. What makes it work? Defining your success pattern will enable you to consciously repeat your best practices. This eliminates the 'what went wrong and who did it' thinking that fosters fear. Keep focused on your successes.
3. What do you want to Accomplish? This is the opposite of focusing on a 'problem'. Focus on what you do want and build from here. This will help you align your resources and identify the best use of your time and your team's time.
4. What are the Benefits? Identifying WIIFM in achieving your objective will provide the needed buy-in and motivation to take action! There's no need to worry about getting things done when you know what's in it for you and your action is inspired.
5. What's the Plan? Identifying what you can do more, better or differently to move closer to your objective will get you going. What, by when and how will you measure progress will keep your focus forward and out of fear.

And of course, always remember to celebrate your successes along the way. This process is amazingly simple and has a proven success rate. It will move you and your teams from fear and into creating the best 2009 that's possible. Email or call me at 303-439-0077 to learn more about making this a winning formula for you and your teams!