Do You Start with the End in Mind?
Personal Development
September 15, 2010
Tara R. Alemany
Topics
flexible, goals, Leading Yourself, overcome, Self DevelopmentI recently wrote a post on my own blog entitled "The Essence of Self-Leadership: Start with the End in Mind." In it, I shared a lesson I learned from my 10-year-old son, Tim. He's been wanting a BB gun, specifically, a Crosman Stinger S32P Airsoft Tactical Carbine for a long time. However, I’m missing that chromosomal gene that thinks that's neat. So, it’s been a bit of a battle in our household for years.
I finally told him that if he was going to get one, he'd have to buy it himself, along with safety glasses and the pellets, and he'd have to adhere to a strict set of rules regarding its use. With that all in mind, I was very impressed with Tim's reaction. I had anticipated that he would give up on the idea because there was so much to learn. He had no experience earning his own money, he had no real support, and he had no plan to work from.
He was frustrated initially until I shared that other boys his age sometimes mow neighbors' yards, or offer to rake in the fall, or trim hedges. That was the only advice I offered him. He took that limited information, believed he was capable, kept his goal in mind, and developed a plan. He knew what he wanted to achieve and didn’t let seemingly insurmountable obstacles keep him from pursuing his goal.
There's been some discussion in the leadership community recently as to what it takes to be a true leader. Personally, I believe that leadership starts within. We can't reasonably lead others until we've led ourselves, and the earlier we learn that, the better off we are. Put in the right circumstances, we all have the ability to exhibit leadership qualities (even children).
So, what's involved in self-leadership?
- Start with the end in mind. When you know your goal and the value you've assigned to it, it enables you to do what's necessary to achieve it.
- Evaluate the steps required to reach your goal. You've got to know what reaching your goal entails. Otherwise, you're just floundering.
- Seek to grow. If you're uncertain what's required, ask for advice from those with more experience than you. Read books, listen to webinars, attend conferences, and find mentors to gain the additional know-how you desire.
- Recognize that reaching your goal will require effort. Too many people expect things to be handed to them. Leaders, by contrast, recognize that all good things require effort, from ourselves and our teams.
- Believe in yourself! No one knows you better than you do, but beware of underrating yourself. Often we don't realize that we are capable of much more than we initially think.
- Be flexible. There are times when a new goal may appear as you continue on your journey towards reaching your goal. Don't be so attached to one goal that you miss other opportunities that present themselves.
In Tim's situation, he started with the end in mind. He'd assigned his own personal value to that goal, and was willing to do what was necessary to achieve it. Once committed, he stepped out in faith, making progress towards his goal. Ultimately, a new "end" presented itself (you can read my blog for the details of that). While it wasn't what he originally set out to do, knowing what his goal was enabled him to recognize the new "end" as a different vision of the same goal; his desire to own his very own BB gun.
How often do we, as adults, give up before we even get going because something’s going to be “too much work,” or hold on to one outcome without being willing to adjust the goal? Mastery of self-leadership is a lifelong occupation. It begins when we're young and learn that temper tantrums won't get us what we want, and continues as we ascend through school and into the business world.
Which of these steps of self-leadership do you struggle with most? How can the Lead Change Group help you overcome those obstacles? We're here as a community of leaders to help one another grow. Leave a comment below and let us know what "end" you are working towards so that we can encourage and support you along the way.
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For me, I don’t “start with the end in mind”. I seem to have an aversion to specific goals, but when I receive an inspired vision, I really do stay diligent and faithful to it, even as it morphs. This works for me, but I do have a need that is unfulfilled, which I will mention in a minute. Tara, what a powerful statement of leadership when you say, “Which of these steps of self-leadership do you struggle with most? How can the Lead Change Group help you overcome those obstacles? We’re here as a community of leaders to help one another grow.” For me, I simply need interaction and feedback right at the point I’m at, and as I take this in, the vision takes on new energy and direction. I would love feedback on Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® from this forum! As an example, I submitted an article to Lead Change, and in less than an hour, Mike Henry shot back with suggested corrections and great ideas to consider for refining and expanding the thesis. I felt so incredibly supported! So, this response might seem a bit disjointed, but I’ll “cut to the chase”. This is a great article Tara, and a great call to action for the group. Thank you!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post, Thomas. Some goals may be more intangible than others and, in my mind, your commitment to be diligent and faithful to an inspired vision is every much a goal as Timothy’s goal that had a more finite end.
I started to reply to your comments on Friday, but wanted to take some time to look at the website for Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® first. The Lead Change Group is a great resource for supporting one another in our individual areas whenever we can, whether that’s through feedback, support, mentoring, inspiration, or whatever else. Now that I’ve had a chance to spend some time looking at your website, I’ll follow up with you privately and share my few thoughts. Hopefully others will do the same!
For me, I don’t “start with the end in mind”. I seem to have an aversion to specific goals, but when I receive an inspired vision, I really do stay diligent and faithful to it, even as it morphs. This works for me, but I do have a need that is unfulfilled, which I will mention in a minute. Tara, what a powerful statement of leadership when you say, “Which of these steps of self-leadership do you struggle with most? How can the Lead Change Group help you overcome those obstacles? We’re here as a community of leaders to help one another grow.” For me, I simply need interaction and feedback right at the point I’m at, and as I take this in, the vision takes on new energy and direction. I would love feedback on Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® from this forum! As an example, I submitted an article to Lead Change, and in less than an hour, Mike Henry shot back with suggested corrections and great ideas to consider for refining and expanding the thesis. I felt so incredibly supported! So, this response might seem a bit disjointed, but I’ll “cut to the chase”. This is a great article Tara, and a great call to action for the group. Thank you!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post, Thomas. Some goals may be more intangible than others and, in my mind, your commitment to be diligent and faithful to an inspired vision is every much a goal as Timothy’s goal that had a more finite end.
I started to reply to your comments on Friday, but wanted to take some time to look at the website for Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® first. The Lead Change Group is a great resource for supporting one another in our individual areas whenever we can, whether that’s through feedback, support, mentoring, inspiration, or whatever else. Now that I’ve had a chance to spend some time looking at your website, I’ll follow up with you privately and share my few thoughts. Hopefully others will do the same!
For me, I don’t “start with the end in mind”. I seem to have an aversion to specific goals, but when I receive an inspired vision, I really do stay diligent and faithful to it, even as it morphs. This works for me, but I do have a need that is unfulfilled, which I will mention in a minute. Tara, what a powerful statement of leadership when you say, “Which of these steps of self-leadership do you struggle with most? How can the Lead Change Group help you overcome those obstacles? We’re here as a community of leaders to help one another grow.” For me, I simply need interaction and feedback right at the point I’m at, and as I take this in, the vision takes on new energy and direction. I would love feedback on Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® from this forum! As an example, I submitted an article to Lead Change, and in less than an hour, Mike Henry shot back with suggested corrections and great ideas to consider for refining and expanding the thesis. I felt so incredibly supported! So, this response might seem a bit disjointed, but I’ll “cut to the chase”. This is a great article Tara, and a great call to action for the group. Thank you!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post, Thomas. Some goals may be more intangible than others and, in my mind, your commitment to be diligent and faithful to an inspired vision is every much a goal as Timothy’s goal that had a more finite end.
I started to reply to your comments on Friday, but wanted to take some time to look at the website for Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® first. The Lead Change Group is a great resource for supporting one another in our individual areas whenever we can, whether that’s through feedback, support, mentoring, inspiration, or whatever else. Now that I’ve had a chance to spend some time looking at your website, I’ll follow up with you privately and share my few thoughts. Hopefully others will do the same!
For me, I don’t “start with the end in mind”. I seem to have an aversion to specific goals, but when I receive an inspired vision, I really do stay diligent and faithful to it, even as it morphs. This works for me, but I do have a need that is unfulfilled, which I will mention in a minute. Tara, what a powerful statement of leadership when you say, “Which of these steps of self-leadership do you struggle with most? How can the Lead Change Group help you overcome those obstacles? We’re here as a community of leaders to help one another grow.” For me, I simply need interaction and feedback right at the point I’m at, and as I take this in, the vision takes on new energy and direction. I would love feedback on Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® from this forum! As an example, I submitted an article to Lead Change, and in less than an hour, Mike Henry shot back with suggested corrections and great ideas to consider for refining and expanding the thesis. I felt so incredibly supported! So, this response might seem a bit disjointed, but I’ll “cut to the chase”. This is a great article Tara, and a great call to action for the group. Thank you!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post, Thomas. Some goals may be more intangible than others and, in my mind, your commitment to be diligent and faithful to an inspired vision is every much a goal as Timothy’s goal that had a more finite end.
I started to reply to your comments on Friday, but wanted to take some time to look at the website for Simple E Creations, Inc. and Simple Encouragement® first. The Lead Change Group is a great resource for supporting one another in our individual areas whenever we can, whether that’s through feedback, support, mentoring, inspiration, or whatever else. Now that I’ve had a chance to spend some time looking at your website, I’ll follow up with you privately and share my few thoughts. Hopefully others will do the same!
That is such a great lesson to learn at an early age! So many children get the impression that things just appear easily for those who have them. This magical thinking I have seen even in young adults in the corporate world! Yet, setting a compelling exciting goal, working for it and then being willing to stay flexible on the outcome can be such a learning experience for young and old. In work, so many set lower expectations for themselves and their companies because they feel they need to know the how and fill in all the blanks before they move forward. Having the end in mind helps because it is a declaration that says: THIS is what I want and I am willing to work towards it, so here I go… Such power lies in that statement. Thanks for your thoughts here. One of the ends I am currently on has been SO supported by this community: getting the word out that valuing others can have a huge impact on the way you lead, work and live. Thanks, LeadChange!
Thanks, Monica. (I have to say, I love your avatar pic!) 🙂 I’ve striven to teach my kids that the things they want require effort, whether that’s the effort necessary to earn the money or to accomplish whatever it is they have in mind. But you’re right! It is such a trap to give way to a sense of entitlement that some people feel today. As leaders, we need to inspire our followers to roll up their sleeves and get to work! And followers will align themselves with us as we provide leadership that heads in the direction they want to go in too.
I love the end that you’re working towards, which makes me happy to be one of your followers too!
That is such a great lesson to learn at an early age! So many children get the impression that things just appear easily for those who have them. This magical thinking I have seen even in young adults in the corporate world! Yet, setting a compelling exciting goal, working for it and then being willing to stay flexible on the outcome can be such a learning experience for young and old. In work, so many set lower expectations for themselves and their companies because they feel they need to know the how and fill in all the blanks before they move forward. Having the end in mind helps because it is a declaration that says: THIS is what I want and I am willing to work towards it, so here I go… Such power lies in that statement. Thanks for your thoughts here. One of the ends I am currently on has been SO supported by this community: getting the word out that valuing others can have a huge impact on the way you lead, work and live. Thanks, LeadChange!
Thanks, Monica. (I have to say, I love your avatar pic!) 🙂 I’ve striven to teach my kids that the things they want require effort, whether that’s the effort necessary to earn the money or to accomplish whatever it is they have in mind. But you’re right! It is such a trap to give way to a sense of entitlement that some people feel today. As leaders, we need to inspire our followers to roll up their sleeves and get to work! And followers will align themselves with us as we provide leadership that heads in the direction they want to go in too.
I love the end that you’re working towards, which makes me happy to be one of your followers too!
That is such a great lesson to learn at an early age! So many children get the impression that things just appear easily for those who have them. This magical thinking I have seen even in young adults in the corporate world! Yet, setting a compelling exciting goal, working for it and then being willing to stay flexible on the outcome can be such a learning experience for young and old. In work, so many set lower expectations for themselves and their companies because they feel they need to know the how and fill in all the blanks before they move forward. Having the end in mind helps because it is a declaration that says: THIS is what I want and I am willing to work towards it, so here I go… Such power lies in that statement. Thanks for your thoughts here. One of the ends I am currently on has been SO supported by this community: getting the word out that valuing others can have a huge impact on the way you lead, work and live. Thanks, LeadChange!
Thanks, Monica. (I have to say, I love your avatar pic!) 🙂 I’ve striven to teach my kids that the things they want require effort, whether that’s the effort necessary to earn the money or to accomplish whatever it is they have in mind. But you’re right! It is such a trap to give way to a sense of entitlement that some people feel today. As leaders, we need to inspire our followers to roll up their sleeves and get to work! And followers will align themselves with us as we provide leadership that heads in the direction they want to go in too.
I love the end that you’re working towards, which makes me happy to be one of your followers too!
That is such a great lesson to learn at an early age! So many children get the impression that things just appear easily for those who have them. This magical thinking I have seen even in young adults in the corporate world! Yet, setting a compelling exciting goal, working for it and then being willing to stay flexible on the outcome can be such a learning experience for young and old. In work, so many set lower expectations for themselves and their companies because they feel they need to know the how and fill in all the blanks before they move forward. Having the end in mind helps because it is a declaration that says: THIS is what I want and I am willing to work towards it, so here I go… Such power lies in that statement. Thanks for your thoughts here. One of the ends I am currently on has been SO supported by this community: getting the word out that valuing others can have a huge impact on the way you lead, work and live. Thanks, LeadChange!
Thanks, Monica. (I have to say, I love your avatar pic!) 🙂 I’ve striven to teach my kids that the things they want require effort, whether that’s the effort necessary to earn the money or to accomplish whatever it is they have in mind. But you’re right! It is such a trap to give way to a sense of entitlement that some people feel today. As leaders, we need to inspire our followers to roll up their sleeves and get to work! And followers will align themselves with us as we provide leadership that heads in the direction they want to go in too.
I love the end that you’re working towards, which makes me happy to be one of your followers too!