You Re Never Too. As human beings, we often struggle with self-improvement. We may feel like we’re doing everything right, but somehow, we’re not getting the results we want.
nt. It’s a common phenomenon, and it’s one that many people face throughout their lives. The truth is, no one is too smart to get better. Everyone has the potential for growth, and it’s only by acknowledging this and seeking help that we can truly make progress.
The Story of Jeff
A few years ago, I was facilitating a presentations skills class, and one of the participants, who we’ll call Jeff, was eager to make a better connection with people when he was speaking in front of groups. During the coaching we’d done in the class, it was immediately obvious that one of the biggest obstacles that was keeping Jeff from making a genuine connection was his lack of any facial expression. He simply never smiled.
As soon as I saw this, I talked with Jeff about changing his facial expressions, and he was anxious for me to coach him on this during the next exercise. We agreed that I’d coach him and record it on video so he could see the results. The next exercise he got up and continued to present with zero expression, but I jumped in right away and coached him on smiling.
During this coaching session, Jeff was very resistant to changing his expression. He said, “I already am smiling,” and I had to explain to him that he wasn’t. I told him that the problem was that he thought he was smiling, but he wasn’t. I coached him to really make his facial expressions come alive and smile in such a way that the audience could see him. From that point forward, he made great progress.
The Importance of Self-Awareness
I’ve found that it’s often our blind spots that hold us back from improving. We may be doing things in the best possible way, but we’re not aware of the obstacles that are getting in our way. This is where self-awareness comes in. Being able to see ourselves as others see us is crucial for growth.
In my experience, most people don’t have the courage to ask for feedback, and most of us aren’t good at coaching ourselves. It’s only by being open to criticism and actively seeking it out that we can make changes and get better. Jeff had the courage to solicit feedback, and it was a turning point for him.
What’s Holding You Back?
So, what’s something you haven’t been able to get traction on lately? Is there something that you feel like you’re doing everything right, but still, you’re not getting the results you want? It might be time to take a step back and ask yourself if there’s an obstacle that’s holding you back. It could be something as simple as a lack of facial expression, or it could be a deeper issue.
Asking for feedback from others is a brave thing to do, but it’s often the only way to make real progress. The key is to be willing to listen and learn from what others have to say. Are you willing to do this? If so, then the first action item for your development plan should be to seek out feedback from someone you trust.
By taking this step, you’ll be able to identify the obstacles that are holding you back and make changes that will help you get better.
When it comes to self-improvement, it’s often the small things that can make the biggest difference. Remember, no one is too smart to get better, and sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of feedback to unlock our full potential.
Self-awareness is key to unlocking our full potential. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and be willing to listen and learn from it.
What’s your experience been with self-improvement? Have you ever struggled to make progress, despite feeling like you’re doing everything right? Share your story in the comments below.
For more on this topic, check out the article You’re Never Too Smart to Get Better by Coaching For Leaders.
