Last week I was saddened to hear that Zig Ziglar died.
As a legendary motivational speaker and author, he touched the lives of millions of people, myself included.
I’ve often joked that I had the opportunity to share the stage with Zig.
Actually I had the privilege of introducing him on stage, since the company I worked for at the time was the sponsor for the event at which he was the featured speaker.
In the world of ‘professional speakers’ you often hear about the importance of ‘walking your talk’ and being the same person on and off the platform. Zig Ziglar was very congruent in that regard.
You could see his genuine desire to inspire. You could feel his encouragement, whether listening to him speak to an audience or chatting with him one-on-one.
How about you?
This is the time of year to check for areas in your life, work, role or business that seem incongruent.
Addressing those issues as you head into the New Year will help you start the year with renewed energy and focus.
Where’s the disconnect for you?
Some executives express concern about feeling in congruent in specific areas of their life or work. And that’s normal.
If you’re like them, you might be experiencing any of these frustrations:
- You’re spending time on activities that are inconsistent with your real vision of success. Make adjustments where needed. Align your actions with your big goals.
- You’re working for an organization that does not seem to fit you. You may have been with the same employer for years, but the organization has changed so much that it’s not the same business anymore. It may be time to take on a new role.
- You’re working with people you don’t like. These people may be colleagues, clients, partners or your boss. Of course you can’t like everyone with whom you work, but when you get to the point where you’re consumed by the negative, something needs to change. You are not able to be your best self.
- You have a ‘love-hate’ kind of relationship with your work. There are some aspects of your work that energize you. Other elements zap you.
- You feel pressure to be strong and ‘leader-like’ while trying to suppress difficult personal issues. We’re all human. Adjust the high expectations you have for yourself while going through difficulties. Risk becoming more vulnerable where you can.
Whether you need to make little changes or radical shifts, now is the time to create better alignment to reach your goals.
It may require more of you, but it’s worth it.
As Zig said, “Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is within us, being the best we can be.”
Recommit to reaching the highest within you. Get congruent!