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Hi
It seems the world was taken by surprise when the world's financial markets were challenged in 2008 -- it sure would be great if we could see what's around the corner for us in 2009!
Thank goodness, then, for all the smart, talented people who are able to see into the future. Why, it was just last week that a clever investment salesman phoned to offer me an upgrade to my retirement investments. It's like he just knows a bunch of money is coming my way. (Maybe I should keep paying my stupidity tax.)
And that guy who writes what's in my stars in the weekend paper gets his predictions spot-on every time. Like the week before last he said an old friend will contact me and, sure as night follows day, an old friend from school rang me up. It's uncanny -- I hadn't spoken with that friend in over 5 days.
But the people who really blow me away are the economists who seem to know exactly what's around every corner. I was particularly impressed by a well-known economist interviewed on TV earlier this month about his outlook for 2009. In his prophetic words, he proclaimed "Things will get worse before they get better." Such dazzling insight!
Of course, there are some non-believers out there who don't share my faith in the soothsayers. To them I say, bah, we can't blame every failed prediction on conspiracy theories, Chinese plans of world domination or planetary mis-alignment. They're human and fallible, after all, so let's cut them some slack.
I tell you what, though, in planning for the future and, as much as we might place a lot of trust in economists, astrologers, palm readers and even zealous investment salesmen, I don't think we should rely only on their forecasts and predictions.
Preparing well for the future needs more insight than foresight. Specifically, the better prepared we are internally, the more likely our intentions are to prevail, regardless of what the universe throws our way. After all, no plan ever goes according to plan -- the future is always uncertain.
If recent trends tell the story of the future then, proportionately, forecasts of external conditions are decreasingly reliable. Re-framing this, we can and need to increasingly depend on internal conditions ie. the internal state of individuals or organisations, be they emotional intelligence, resilience, culture or shared beliefs and mental models.
The good news is that we have far more control over our internal state than external conditions. Who was it who said we control nothing but our response?
This is why, in times of greater uncertainty, we believe that coaching and mentoring are even more necessary than before. How we are is becoming ever more relevant than what we do.
The knee-jerk response to tough times is to roll up the sleeves and get busier. But the chance to "time out" with a trusted coach or mentor to step back, see the forest for the trees, then re-engage smarter, not just harder, is critical to both the well-being of the individual and the organisation.
And whether you get better at handling your emotions, develop organisational resilience, or simply get a chance to ponder how much worse things could have been without coaching -- all these being some of the feedback from our clients -- more and more leaders are able to write up the business case and justify investing in coaching and mentoring.
Perhaps this internal state is no more evident than in owners of small businesses. A recent survey in USA of 600 owners of small businesses (<250 employees) reported that, despite worsening economic conditions and medium range forecasts, "86% of small-business' owners expected their company to be in the same or better financial shape in one year."
So what's your internal state? Have you considered that your internal state, especially your unconscious and hidden beliefs, are the real reason for what you're getting from life and that external conditions are merely coincidental?
For more on developing your inner state, get some tips and insight from our associate coach, Corné MacKenzie, in this month's article Clarity begins at home.
Until February's newsletter, all the best in working on your inner game!
Brent Combrink
ProMentor's founding owner
Chairman of COMENSA Western Cape Chapter
cell: +27 (0)82 425 2708 email: brent@promentor.co.za
Coaches and independent professionals:
free your practice to fly by joining our next
for new and rejuvenating existing practices
6-8 May 2009
at V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
(travel options available for Gauteng and Durban participants)
Fully endorsed by COMENSA
"I have seen a big increase in revenue; I have better time management and generally run a much more efficient practice."
- Elizabeth Masson, owner: The Light Centre
Early birds: save R600 off the workshop fee -- book by 28 Feb 2009
To book your place, call Clem at 021 671 8225,
or to find out more visit
www.launchyourpractice.biz
Clarity Begins at Home
By Corné MacKenzie
29 January 2009
By the time the year starts toddling, our well intentioned goals start fainting. Despite the SMARTness of our goals, this is the reality for many. Why is that and what can we do about it? Find out how to unlock your true, unlimited potential by managing your goals from the inside out.
Read more...
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