THRIVE! Talkin'!

Don't just read the newsletter, live it!
Jump into the THRIVE! forum and get set for success!

For the Birds

I was walking across a parking lot today when I looked up and saw a flock of geese flying slow and low overhead. Uh oh, I thought to myself. I was caught in no man's land - halfway between the building and my car. Rather than run for cover, I decided to play the percentages. I stood still, relying on a lack of precision from these pâté pilots. As I watched them carefully, I noticed that they were flying in their characteristic "V" formation. With that, I began to appreciate my foes for the personal success lesson they now provided.

What do these bird brains have to teach about success, you ask? Before we get to that, let's start by examining our own behavior.

When we set out to achieve important life goals, too many of us go it alone. We keep everything bottled up - our goals themselves, our frustrations along the way, our consternation about what exactly we should be doing next - all of it. We can be embarrassed to share our goals and our desire to achieve them. (Who am I to want something more out of life? What would she think of me if she knew I wanted to earn more money? What would he say if he found out that I think he's a dreamboat?)

We convince ourselves that no one wants to hear our problems. No one likes a complainer, after all. Sure, many of us will complain about impersonal setbacks and frustration. Office cooler and neighborhood gossip is full of the stuff. But we're hesitant to share our truly personal disappointments, fears, and doubts. We keep these things tightly locked away. Through it all, we struggle and we fall behind.

If only we had the sense of a goose. Consider the lead goose in the formation that flew above me today. Sure he was a dashing young goose with an intrepid spirit and a gleam in his eye that let you know he flew with confidence. But just yesterday, he wasn't the lead goose at all. He was at the back of the bus, riding on the air currents created by those geese in front of him. That allowed him to rest up, even if the view wasn't so great. Geese always work together like that. They realize that their desired outcome of a safe journey is larger than any individual goose. (Even that fat one in the middle.)

That type of perspective is true in our personal pursuits, as well. Consider your family, your friends, your co-workers, and the other co-pilots in your life. How well do you know what these people are working to accomplish in their lives? Without that knowledge, do you think you'll all be able to work together for collective good? Why go it alone, when there are so many people around you that need your help and that want to be a part of your success story? (I'll have Oprah's people call your people.)

Success - like a goose flight - is a matter of give and take. Sometimes you give your strength - grab the reins and help a friend in need. Sometimes you save your strength - ask for help and give someone else the satisfaction of contributing to your success. Working together in this way will increase your chances of success in the long run.

I'm here to tell you that you can succeed in life - but you can't do it alone. If you've been a solo act for too long, start small. Write down an important personal goal and show it to a confidante. Ask them to help you by periodically checking in on your progress or brainstorming a winning approach. If you don't have any explicit goals written down, phone a friend and chat about what a great one might be. The important thing is to change your mindset by opening up and to change your behavior by following through.

The next time you see a flock of geese filling the sky above, don't duck and cover. (Quack!) Stand proud and salute these winged success coaches. So what if everyone around you thinks you've lost it? You and I know better. We'll be able to stay in formation and soar to new heights.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm headed to the car wash. (Stupid geese.)

Coaching Quickie: For the Birds

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: Calling All Daredevils
Truth or Dare?

(62%) Truth.
(38%) Dare