Breaking the cycle of the treadmill to nowhere

As an executive coach, I see three challenges repeatedly surface for leaders seeking to better their careers, teams and relationships.
Stuck in place
When things aren’t going well, people get stressed and think if they just try harder the situation will get better. They focus on one-size-fits-all strategies. Work more hours. Hold more meetings. Take a course. Call a recruiter. Network more. Get another degree. Put in for a promotion. Change for the sake of change. Read more self-help or business books.
They seek “more” instead of less. They can’t slow down enough to be vulnerable — to risk searching inside themselves where the answers always lie. So, they end up more tired and stuck.
All the right stuff
The right education, good grades, top-tier schools, awards, experience, letters of reference and measurable accomplishments won’t matter if people don’t like, respect and want to connect with you. You need to have something they either a) want more of, or b) want to put to work for them.
Your leadership value and likeability are your signature. Know what it is. Getting another degree or certification is great if you have the time and money or it’s required for your industry. Don’t confuse these credentials with heightening your “it-factor.”
The false mirror
This is the No. 1 thing that holds people back. We are so close to our habits and familiar with our perspectives that we don’t know what we don’t know. We can’t see our blind spot.
Sometimes we get stereotyped without knowing it. “She’s not executive material.” “He’s too emotional.” “He can’t take it to the next level.” We don’t understand why we aren’t progressing.
We don’t ask for feedback because we don’t want to feel judged. Pride and lack of self-awareness get in the way. Then we lose assurance, become stressed and play it safe, making the situation worse.
The emotional toll of getting it wrong
Often by the time people talk about how unhappy they are at work, they have felt that way for so long that the stress and dejectedness has internalized into three key assumptions originally defined by psychologist Martin Seligman, Ph.D. They assume the problem is 1) personal to them, 2) pervasive across not only work, but personal life as well and 3) that this current state of bad luck will last forever.
Corporate America has learned that “doing” has taken a toll on the workforce, innovation and engagement. Mindfulness programs and meditation sessions are now cropping up at offices around the globe.
The world is bigger than you think, so take a mindful step back for a broader perspective. It starts with a pause and deep breath. Achievers don’t want to believe this because they are used to “doing” to get what they want.

Follow a mindful pause with mindful daily routines, such as setting a daily intention (I will be compassionate today), meditation and keeping a gratitude journal. Turn off the treadmill to nowhere. Less is truly more.

 
Mary Lee Gannon is the president of MaryLeeGannon.com, an executive coaching firm that helps busy leaders thrive, earn and influence from the convenience of their office, an airport or at their leisure. Mary Lee is an award-winning mindful executive strategist, ICF certified coach and author. She has 20-plus years as a CEO leading organizations worth up to $26 million within 60,000 employee organizations, as well as coaching executives on how to get off the treadmill to nowhere with mindful confidence, connection and calm to enjoy record performance and more time with the people who matter while it still matters.