Could one small word be holding you back?

In my work as a coach, one thing that no longer surprises me is the impact of disempowering habits!

I coach a wide range of individuals – from managers and small business owners to executive staff in large corporations. I have seen the effect of disempowering habits in all of these roles.

One of my jobs as a coach is to be a little like Sherlock Holmes, working with clients to help them resolve the challenges they face in their lives and work and achieve their goals. I am always on the lookout for signs of habits that no longer serve them.

Disempowering habits can be subtle, and it can be easy to miss them.

For example, in a recent conversation with a client, I noticed that every time he talked about his dream of creating a new business, he would initially have a look of excitement on his face. However, that look quickly changed to a serious expression as he said the word "but"...

"I would really like to create a business as I would have more control over my life... but I can't see it working."

He then described several reasons why creating a business wouldn't work.

As I explored this further, I heard the word "but" several more times as he described what he would like to achieve in his life and work. It was as though he allowed himself to glimpse the possibility of an exciting future before immediately shutting that possibility down.

It became clear that this pattern was limiting his thinking.

Letting go of perceived risks

One of our natural responses is to look for potential risks and keep ourselves safe. That can be incredibly helpful. However, if left unchecked, it can also lead us to overestimate risks or overlook opportunities.

There is a potential risk in everything we do.

But there is also a potential risk in doing nothing.

One of the risks of doing nothing is missing opportunities.

In my client's case, his habit of immediately following his dream with "but" prevented him from exploring what might actually be possible.

I am not suggesting throwing caution to the wind and taking risks for the sake of it. However, spending more time thinking about how to turn a perceived risk into a calculated risk can help create a stronger foundation for moving in a new direction.

If my client's example resonates with you, it may be helpful to ask yourself:

• What's the worst that could happen?
• What's the best that could happen?
• Who do I know that I could talk to about the direction I want to go in? (Perhaps someone who has already achieved what I want to achieve.)
• If I make this decision, how would I know if it wasn't working?
• If that were to happen, what could I do?
• What's my Plan B? Plan C?

If you want to take this a stage further, try listening out for moments when you immediately dismiss an exciting possibility before you've fully explored it.

You may discover opportunities you hadn't previously allowed yourself to consider.