10 Jun Achievement – Closing a Gap
Ten Tenacious Tools for Closing a Gap
Gaps can also be opportunities for challenging your limiting beliefs, stretching your imagination, unleashing your creativity, building new capacities, and creating new possibilities. Where are you tolerating a “gap” in your life or your work? Use the following tools to bridge the gap, enjoy the process, and celebrate your successes every step of the way!!
1 – Identify the benefit – What’s in it for me for closing the gap? Visualize it. Feel the feelings you would have when the gap is closed. (Examples: less stress; more freedom, harmony, time, money, intimacy).
2 – Shift your attitude – Check to see if you are being a victim about the circumstances. If so, shift your attitude to appreciating the opportunity for learning or growth.
3 – Shift your perspective – Identify a list of options and possibilities and then choose one that gives you the most freedom or joy for moving forward.
4 – Establish a boundary – Is your gap a result of the words or actions of someone else? If so, what personal boundary is important for you to establish?
5 – Identify your needs – Does the gap involve a need that is not being met? Identify what need is not being met. Take action to have your need met.
6 – Make a request – Is your gap a complaint? Take responsibility for what you want and make a request. Elements of an empowering request include being specific about what you want, by when, and the benefit. Example: “Will you deliver that completed report to me by 3 pm on Friday so we can avoid paying late charges this month?”
7 – Build support – Surround yourself with people who are partners and champions for who you are and the changes you want to make. (Hire a coach!)
8 – Design a plan – Create a plan for closing your gap. Start with a vision and a purpose. Identify what values you’ll be honoring by closing this gap. Identify milestones. Chunk it down to doable steps. Identify actions steps for achieving your goal.
9 – Take action – Sometimes the first step is the hardest. Take it, and keep going, building momentum.
10 – Evaluate – Evaluate every step for your learning. Review often. Revise, based on your learning.