Three Ways To Go After What You Want

I’ve worked with thousands of people who are dissatisfied with the gap between their current situation what they want instead. How they approach this gap basically falls into three categories.

Initiators

These people recognize that while they may not be in control of many aspects of their situation, they are still responsible for what they do next. They focus their energy on clarifying what they want, rallying any and all resources they can get their hands on, and sticking with it until they succeed or find an acceptable alternative. They don’t worry about what they can’t control, and make the most of what they can control. They gather people around them who want to support each other and be accountable.

Wishers and Hopers

These people spend a little energy imagining and talking about what they want, but they don’t mobilize much energy or resources to go after it. This passive approach leaves them mostly empty, easily discouraged when their wishes and hopes don’t come true. Once in a while well-meaning souls attempt to rescue them but it doesn’t go well because they don’t have any ownership in the solution. These people easily confuse wishing and hoping with faith.

Avoiders and Complainers

These people avoid ownership for their behavior and the consequences of their choices. They don’t accept that avoidance is actually a choice. Because they blame others for their situation, they spend a lot of time complaining about how unfair life is. They are mostly unhappy and do nothing to change it. They recruit others to join them and avoid people who hold up a mirror to their behavior or invite them to be accountable.

Which type are you? What types have you hired? What type of person do you want working in your organization? Peruse the powerful training and coaching tools we use to teach leaders how to invite Wishers and Hopers, and Avoiders and Complainers to take personal responsibility for what they want and be accountable to personal and team goals.

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