In the Kickass Koach podcast episode dropped Monday, I offer my list of 5 elements that help me filter my assessment on what I am amplifying.
For the newsletter, I jump into recent hot topics. The acquittal of the U.S. President and how Republican Senators are choosing a short term win. I argue world leaders appear to choose the same blind approach to rectifying the human impact on global warming.
In the weekly Instagram and LinkedIn video I share how this very week a client experienced the insight that he was valuing instant gratification rather than doing the work necessary to achieve what he wants in his life.
Finally in this post I examine our choices of what to amplify, reflecting on how to choose what we will amplify and then how to amplify it.
Amplification of What?
I have no intention of telling anyone what to amplify specifically. Instead, in this section I intend to emphasize what to consider when making your choice.
Examining what we’re Amplifying –
I often remind my reader that life is an experiment. This is the perfect week to double down on that notion. Recognizing what we are currently amplifying is the beginning of expanding our options. Once we are honest with our self about it we are in a position to shift our choices.
As my client described, in this week’s LinkedIn and Instagram video post, instant gratification is a challenge, broadly experienced by most of us.
A filtration system may help us understand and adjust what we are amplifying while supporting our desire to increase our self-awareness.
Five filters to assess Amplification
I introduce the five in the podcast. The value in expanding my exploration became clear through the week.
Amplification matters because it reflects identity. Additionally, it’s part of what forms our defining narratives. What we choose to magnify through our decisions and actions, speaks volumes.
The first filter is magnification. We need to be aware of the impact of praise. How we experience praise is varied. A common and even insidious form today is found in “likes”, “clicks” or “shares”. When we choose to act, based on what’s amplified through magnification, we limit the scope of who we are choosing to be in the world. This ultimately shapes our identity.
The second filter is confirmation. This is best illustrated by the need to prove something. To understand this one, we may explore situations when we feel threatened. These are moments when we feel the need to show the world definitively who we are. What we amplify loudest is often what we need to prove. For example, those who need to display awards and degrees/achievements or include all the letters behind their name, are seeking confirmation for these achievements. to prove something.
Thirdly, it’s useful to explore what we choose to emphasize. We can look at our language and stories to understand. I examine the content of my weekly posts. What do I choose to put my energy behind?
Fourthly, what we enlarge, tells a tale. What do we embellish or augment/enhance? What do we emphasize in our appearance or presence? The language we choose to use is a great way to discover what matters to us.
Finally, the fifth filter is restatement. This reflects the power of repetition to impress and make sticky.
The impossible has a chance to become possible when we are thoughtful about what we amplify.
Amplification, How?
I keep emphasizing the significance of being intentional. How we choose what to amplify in our life and out into the world determines, in large part, our success in creating the path and purpose we choose. There are many paths to choose when taking this journey. Below I share my preferred in three stages. I offer them in the order I propose makes the most sense. By the way, it is a process, not a destination. This means once you move through the three, you return to the first and continue the process. It is a never ending cycle of growth.
Insight
Seek fresh insights. When we are open and inviting an experimental mindset, fresh insights are generated frequently. Start by noticing them. Don’t stop there. By noticing and even recording these insights, more will form. By recording them, we are set up to start seeing patterns and make meaningful connections. Moreover, when we connect the dots in the various insights they start to take on more meaning.
When we apply the filters outlined above, insights will form so that is a great place to start. Building a system to generate insight is useful too. A coach or mentor is a great option. Some people develop social learning partners to help them unearth more insights. Additionally, others may use a mindfulness discipline to spark insight.
Choice
We all have more choice than we think. It starts with uncovering options. To expand options we need to be willing to remain in the exploratory stage a bit longer. Furthermore, while it may be uncomfortable it is a great habit to cultivate. Expanding choice is powerful.
Undoubtedly, human beings are social creatures. Social engagement is a meaningful way to open up choices. Whether it is through traditional brainstorming tools or more advanced tools, engaging with others in open dialogue is fantastic way to employ energy to advance our options.
Action
Action is the easy step. Moreover, it feels good to act. Perhaps this is why many people act before generating new insights or exploring choices. Alternatively, it’s the meaningful actions that paralyze us. Nevertheless, it is the only way to get past the fear. Additionally, people are distracted by the shining object. An example is the flashing light that signals reward. This is the power of instant gratification.
Strategically planning action steps helps us overcome the barriers. Again, social acknowledgement or working with a coach or mentor can be powerful drivers for healthy action. Research has shown that simply scheduling the new options and embedding it into a routine can be extremely useful.
We are more successful when we build a plan to be intentionally amplifying what matters most. Furthermore, a plan or process can be systematized, making it more easily replicable. Ultimately this is what makes it sticky and powerful.
Life is one big Experiment
the underlying point, again this week, is about the power of approaching life as an experiment. Each day offers wondrous access to fresh insights and lessons. Being intentional about what we are amplifying is crucial. Furthermore, it is essential we become more aware of what is being amplified around us. The act and impact of amplification matters if we want to live the life we choose. Otherwise, our life is chosen for us. Finally, what we choose to experiment with to move our purpose forward in 2020 matters.
Walk with me. Let’s go do what it takes to intentionally choose what we will amplify or allow to be amplified around us. Conscious and intentional amplification is powerful. It can work for us or against us.
Be part of the journey in 2020.
Start by subscribing to my mailing list . Subscribers receive:
- My interactive exercise to begin reducing the impacts of stress and feelings of overwhelm will be sent.
- My newsletter with the related podcast episode will be sent weekly.
- Special offers will be available to subscribers monthly including: a random offer of a complimentary one hour coaching conversation, access to roundtable engagements and group coaching on identity and related subjects, as well as information on an initiative on which I’m collaborating: #FeMasCon.
Amplification comes to life in Bank Your Impact (BYI)
We explore amplification at every stage of the BYI system. Moreover, the processes I’ve developed unearths many obstacles while revealing fresh pathways to explore. Furthermore, creating the life we want starts with becoming aware of what we are currently amplifying so we are prepared to make different choices.
Furthermore, to get what we truly want in life, we need to be willing to persist, seek help, and continually look for transferable learning opportunities. Additionally, we need to be willing to question our choices and expand our options through healthy curiosity and a search for unique perspectives. Furthermore, identifying and nurturing our identity is the place to start.
A healthy meaningful and full life is made possible with clarity about our values, beliefs, patterns and habits. Additionally, our quality of life is influenced and shaped by our unique blend of strengths and inclinations. Undoubtedly, a growth mindset and open-minded approach are foundations to sustaining this healthy sense of self.
The System
The Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is about both developing and embedding self-awareness. Furthermore, the benefits of expanded resilience, connections built on understanding the impact of belonging and an ability to bolster a professional and authentic presence are foundational. Perhaps more than the other two, developing a foundational resilience is critical to with standing that which moves us into burnout.
The current system incorporates 1:1 coaching, roundtable conversations; eventually I’ll add a neuro-social learning experience (currently only available in organizational contracts but will be added to the system for individual engagement in 2021).
My approach is based on the ICF (International Coaching Federation) standards. I’m meeting you (my clients) where you are, both as the coaching agreement begins, and in the moment that exists at the time of each conversation. Progress or growth is not a straight line. The ICA model is the framework for every conversation: Issue/Insight, Choice/Commitment, Action/Accountability. Over the past year I’ve been tightening the model to meet the needs of my clients.
Holding space to support my clients in:
- Developing meaningful insights
- Expanding/deepening perspective on those insights
- Building/designing a practice to try on new ways of being/seeing OR experiment for discovery
- Assessing progress, becoming agile in transfer of learning and application before developing additional insights
An organic experience
The experience is tailored around what you bring to each conversation, in my experience, there are common themes that arise including: self-awareness, mindfulness, mindset, communication, connections, and attitude. Self-awareness stands alone but is also a foundational theme. I have registered upwards of 40 sub-concepts that fit under each of these categories. Furthermore, I bring tools, skills and techniques to respond and guide our work together, informed by positive psychology, neuroscience, and management/leadership research.
Walk With Me, to Where You Want to Be
In all my blog posts in 2019, you will find this section outlines what brought me to this area of focus: supporting people in the early to middle part of their career as a #performance #coach.
You can read more about my work and my in the About Me section of the website and below is a recording of my #bigwhystory:
Feel like you’re living someone else’s destiny?
If that’s working for you, great. If it isn’t or it starts to be a problem, reach out. I welcome a conversation.
Willing to do the work to find more meaning?
With the skills to unpack the emotions and barriers and triggers and mindset challenges with the skills in my BYI system, participants begin to see the impact in their career and finally begin to discover what matters most to them. The bonus: they begin to see a path to get there. Join me…
My system is intended to be meaningful, relevant, accessible and affordable. With that in mind, there are many ways to engage with me. Below are TWO ways to start, without spending a dime.
Walk with Me!
- BOOK a complimentary exploratory 1:1 conversation 20-30 minutes.
- SUBSCRIBE to my mailing list. You’ll receive an interactive exercise that you may use to reduce and manage stress or feelings of overwhelm. PLUS each week you’ll receive my podcast and reflections in your inbox AND you’ll be invited to monthly webinars and roundtable conversations.
In closing, I love bringing learning experiences to workplaces that are interested in raising their performance and encouraging their people.
- Book me to speak at your conference or to a group in your organization. My workshops on building resilience, improving workplace outcomes through relationships, and increasing performance are big hits! In 2020 I’ve added a few workshops on gender engagement – how, by knocking off the boxes that limit us by gender we all find our capacity expands.