Hitting the Road: Chapter 1
How often are you on your road? You know, the optimal route regardless of your intended destination? Yes, it helps to know where you are going, and that may be an important part of being on your road. But the road – your road – is a felt state of being where your best self emerges.
It can happen at work, at home, and in between. That undeniable feeling that you’re being your best you. It’s where “being in the zone” or “flow” can show up. It’s where time flies whether you’re doing something fun or not. For me, it comes with optimism, energy, a drive to get things done, and fearless creativity. So, what does it feel like for you when the rubber is hitting your road?
One of my early coaching clients had worked through some immediate opportunities to redefine and move toward more success in their business. But they realized that new opportunities and challenges would arise all the time, and that they couldn’t always control where their road would take them.
The real opportunity became spending more time on their road. We decided to meet monthly to continue refining their approach and understanding of their road, so that whatever came up they could approach it in a way that reduced fear, enhanced meaning, and maximized enjoyment.
This road thing sounds worthwhile, doesn’t it?
For the next few months, faithful reader, I’ll invite you to explore more about your road – the signs that you’re on it, the lights that help when it gets dark, the detours that pop up, and how to get back on and stay on your road.
For now, what does your gut tell you about your road? What if, for a moment, you set aside the goals, the problems, the accountability, the performance, the expectations, and the judgement, and just considered what it feels like to be operating when you’re operating at your best. How’s the ride?
We’re in an interesting time right now, where people in similar situations are having very different experiences, and many are being called into new environments and responsibilities. Whether taking on new responsibility, including people management, or taking a step back to reconnect to the work you know and love, connecting to your road offers reminders about what you can control.
Think of the parts of your job where you soar, and the parts in between that have the opposite effect. What’s opportunity exists to improve your relationship with all aspects of your work, even the energy vampires? We don’t always get to decide all the activities or expectations for our job, but we are always in charge of the core elements of how we will be along the way. So, whatever direction your “to do” goals are taking you, your road is the place where your “to be” goals get set – and those belong entirely to you.
Joe Miller is the Founder of Awareness to Action Coaching where he empowers our industry and the community with coaching and content for current and future leaders. After 15 years in the heart of our industry as an executive at AutoIMS, Joe brings a unique understanding of the remarketing industry and a passion for helping leaders reach their potential. You can see more of Joe’s content on LinkedIn or schedule time with him directly or contact Joe with questions.