Pushing yourself and your brand
Life, both the personal and professional aspects, is about challenging yourself, reaching your goals, and stretching yourself even further than you thought possible. Without these challenges, your life stagnates and you never improve or strengthen yourself or your abilities. And what’s the point of your professional endeavors if you’re not progressing and bettering yourself and your brand?
One way to push yourself is to do one emotionally challenging thing every day.
Saying no
Peter Bregman, a strategic advisor to leadership teams throughout many professional industries, believes that doing one emotionally difficult thing per day will ultimately make your happier, more productive, and a better member of society and your chosen industry. Sometimes it can be hard to say no to coworkers, business associates, or even members of your own family. But saying no is an essential skill for any business professional, even though it is sometimes difficult to do. If you don’t want to do something or you feel it isn’t worth your time, and you have the ability to do so, say no. Don’t feel obligated to take on a client if it’s not in your or your company’s best interest.
Knowing when to say no can save you stress, unnecessary tension, and ruined professional relationships. This also applies if you tend to take on too much at one time. And if you’re a people pleaser, it can be emotionally challenging to pass on an opportunity or a direct request from an acquaintance, as guilt is often a companion to those requests. But enough with that. Even though saying no can be emotionally challenging, it’s about flexing that emotional muscle.
Pick something you’re scared to do
If saying no isn’t a problem you have, pick something else that’s emotionally challenging. Bregman says, “Try it. Once a day, pick something you’re a little scared to do or say and then follow through with it. Take the blame for something if it was your fault. Ask for a raise. Point out something to your manager that’s getting in the way of your success. Go to dinner and leave your cell phone at home. Your emotional challenge is personal to you because what’s challenging to you is particular to you; it doesn’t matter if others are challenged by it.”
It all comes down to honesty – being honest with yourself, your employees, your business partner, or your clients. Doing something emotionally difficult every day will enable you to make tough decisions in the future. The more you do it, the easier it will become. It has the potential to redesign your business model and how you run your business and your life. The only way to take yourself and your business to the next level is to overcome challenge after challenge, both emotional and professional. It may not be an easy journey to take, but the best journeys rarely are.
