Unlocking Success: The Power of Consistency and Discipline for CEO
The Little Engine That Could is a much-loved children’s book and one of my favorites. Even as an adult, I’ve given it as a gift to recognize and celebrate a team member's ability to overcome in the face of adversity.
The book is about an overachieving train that is pressed into service to get the children’s toys over the mountain after bigger engines failed. Against everyone’s expectations, the Little Blue Engine pulls the heavy train load to the other side of the mountain using the thought, “I think I can….I think I can…I think I can” to build momentum and BELIEF.
This sentimental, self-directed, and resourceful message has had a profound impact on my life.
The Little Engine was a finisher.
It’s not about how fast you get there, people’s opinions or expectations of you, the doubts that creep in, or even the result.
Being a finisher is both a mindset and behavior.
A finisher doesn’t get distracted (when they do, they see it and reset).
A finisher is not swayed by new shiny objects.
A finisher is resourceful.
A finisher acts, audits, and adapts to get the job done.
A finisher understands that boring gets things done.
A finisher doesn’t follow the trends or do what someone else is doing.
A finisher doesn’t let the hard of the day get in the way.
A finisher doesn’t give up.
Right, wrong, fail, succeed, slip, it doesn’t matter when you are committed to being a finisher.
More than consistency or discipline.
It’s about who you are.
Deciding on becoming a finisher begins with managing your thoughts. With intentional thought and desire, actions follow to produce the results as they did for the Little Blue Engine: 'I think I can.'
I’m a finisher.
People are always kind to share with me that they can’t believe I write this email each week. While some weeks I may hit it out of the park, other’s not so much. That’s ok because I’m committed to showing up in your inbox for as long as you will have me.
What would seeing yourself as a finisher feel like to you?
When I asked a client what it felt like to be a finisher after a huge year-long project, they shared: Accomplished and proud.
I then asked, what was next. The answer: I can do anything now.
They see themselves differently.
Finishers know that no matter what happens you finish. No matter how long, no matter what goes wrong. You still finish.
When you do, you see yourself as a finisher. Building belief in you and who you want to become.
BELIEF in yourself.
BELIEF In the work you are doing.
When the Little Blue Engine finished, he celebrated with: I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.
When you look back on this year, what will you have finished?
The Little Blue Engine brings gifts for all of the boys and girls, but the real gift was the gift he gave to himself.
The biggest impact working with Christina The 'Thought work she taught has given me a greater sense of awareness, and ultimately, control, over my emotional response to situations at work and at home. I am stepping into a major career transition with joy, grace and pride.
If you are considering working with a Coach or want to know more about the components of a Coaching engagement, let’s get on a call with this link.
