What's Your Shift?
“Are there any common themes with people you coach?”
That’s a question I get a lot when someone learns what I do to support the lifestyle to which our pup, Rocket, has become accustomed. 🙂
Reflecting on the clients I’ve had the privilege to work with over the last decade, several themes emerge. The biggest one? Every individual reached out because they were looking to make a shift, moving FROM one state TO another. The second theme? They often didn’t realize what shift they were in the middle of!
At many points during our time here on earth school we are all involved in a FROM → TO shift, whether it's a personal shift, a business shift, or both. One of the first things I do when I jump in a client’s corner is to help them frame their shift. That framing provides focus. It also becomes a rallying cry, helping them take people on the journey associated with the shift.
If you’re struggling with something today, I’d love you to pause, pull up, and ask yourself:
“What is my FROM → TO shift at this moment?”
And if you need help with that shift, call me! Wherever you are in the process — you need help defining the shift or ideas on making the shift a reality — I’d love to jam with you on how I can help.
Shift Happens.
Years ago I stepped off a plane in Austin, Texas, feeling pumped about the work I was there to do and looking forward to the good food I’d be consuming in the land of my birth.
And then I saw the email.
Our CEO was NOT amused by a tagline my very creative team pulled together for our upcoming customer conference: SHIFT HAPPENS.
It wasn’t just that he didn’t like it — it was the way he delivered his feedback. Rather than saying, “I don’t like the double entendre of the theme” he launched into a long and unnecessary rant.
He clearly wasn’t in my first year accounting class when the teacher explained in a very precise (and professional) way how to staple papers before turning them in. Her rationale? One day you’ll work for someone who will want something in a certain way, so this gives you practice.
If you’re a leader and you want the pages stapled a certain way – or a tag line to read a certain way – a reminder to share that in a respectful way with your team.
And if you’re the person doing the stapling and don’t see what the big deal is, here’s a thought from Scott Galloway:
“It’s called work. That’s what the money’s for.”
Now when I think back to that moment in the Austin airport I get a big Texas-size grin on my face because I am firmly in the shift business. And nothing gets me fired up more than helping people define and experience their FROM → TO shift.
PS: Have you seen the “Shake Shit Up" video series my colleague Ron Garfield and I launched on LinkedIn? We put together this short (but mighty) series designed to stir your internal pot, challenge your status quote, and help you shake things up with bite-sized tips, a little humor, and our signature coaching flair. We've dropped five episodes with more on the way!