Hello savvy leaders! Welcome to episode 70! Today I’m sharing the one thing that surprises me most that I hear from high-achieving direct sales leaders!
I kept hearing this time and time again and I’ve been truly, really surprised. This surprise of course makes me genuinely curious. I thought it would be important to share with all of you in the event it helps even just one of you.
The comment that really makes me curious is when I hear “I need clarity on what it is I’m actually going after.”
I was so surprised the first time I heard this from a high-achiever in direct sales. I’m referring to those that are at the top tiers of their companies. And I’ve heard it time and time again.
So, I came from a place of genuine curiosity to unpack this for myself and I thought I would share from my perspective what I’ve gathered based on what I know about the different leaders that have expressed this.
First, I had to ask myself, what is it that surprises me about this statement? Again, I was hearing “I need clarity on what it is I’m actually going after.”
I realized I was confusing this with goal setting.
Then I had to remind myself that there is a difference between setting goals and having clarity on what it is you’re actually going after. Because these two things look and sound similar, don’t they? But they can be different. Entirely different.
You may set a rank, trip, or volume goal. You may set goals around how many emerging leaders you’re working with to build businesses. But having clarity and assurance around what you are truly going after is different than this. And it’s not automatic.
A goal can be set around something specific and measurable. Right? Like a trip. Where, when, and how to earn it is spelled out. And those things are pretty clear.
A goal can be put out by your company or something you come up with yourself. A family trip. A second home. A major renovation. An experience for your family.
But what you’re truly going after can be more ambiguous. It can take a bit more work to get specific and measurable with what you’re going after. It’s more about what you want for your life. And this can be big to unpack.
When I work with my clients we spend intentional time and exercises around getting clear on this.
This is a highly individualized experience. Of course, because what one person wants for her life is unique to her.
The other point, or pattern really, revealed to me was that more success brings more choices. What a gift! And what a challenge.
Many times leaders have been working so hard, head down, doing the work that when they pause, look up, celebrate, and acknowledge their accomplishment, life looks different. Typically very blessed in many ways.
And it’s a new vantage point, a new perspective, a new opportunity to ask “What is it that I’m truly going after?”
Let me offer this. Many times the first step in this process is to value and use what you know you are not going after. It will absolutely always give you clarity on what it is that you are going after.
So if you need clarity on this, first, recognize what you’re going after is different than your business goals.
Second, it’s ok to have more choices with the success that you’ve worked so hard for. Pause and embrace the fact that more choices are a blessing. Start with what you know you’re not going after. What’s not that important after all?
Third, know that pausing to get clarity around this takes intentionality and time.
Lastly, having clarity on what you’re actually going after is different than your why. Right? Your why is the motivation and guiding force behind everything that you do.
But clarity on what you’re actually going after is about what you want for yourself, for your life, and what living your personal best is all about. It’s normal and common to need clarity around this as success comes and your life changes.
If you need a partner I would love to answer any questions about a high-touch, high-value, individualized experience to guide you to clarity on what it is you’re truly going after.
I can’t wait to connect!
The best is yet to come. Always.
