Given below is a quote of mine that I often reflect upon and have used in many of my workshops or discussions with my clients. Most of these opportunities and the learning's have come about in my role as a HR professional over the past two decades.
"There is more to do than what I've done, There's more to Go from where I reached, There's more to me than what I am."
Human potential is unlimited and most of us never reach any where near the potential we have. Below is a simple model that I use to explain the possibilities, the endless sea of positives that lie ahead of us in the journey of life. It is called"FRAME" it for Success. Below are the five things you need to do to reach where you want to go or achieve something you always wanted to or be the person you wanted to be.. The FRAME is not a sign post. The FRAME is like an illuminated pathway.
Focus: I would never emphasize less on this ubiquitous (there everywhere but quite often unused) concept that can bring direction, that can channelize attention (Read my blog on FOCUS). It is important to have a clear concept of where you want to be or what you want to achieve. When you focus all else gets tuned out and that is the best way to get your minds complete attention to doing what you need to do at that point of time. Focus channelizes your energy and sharpens the chances of success in what you want to do, where you want to go and how you can go there.
Reflection: Time to take a pause. Take a Look at your strengths. Reflect .... on what can take you there. It is important since your strengths were meant to be your fuel to success. Most of us have hidden strengths. For most of us a good reflection of what we are good at comes from having a conversation with a close friend and asking for feedback. This can be a colleague at work or a friend outside of work or even your manager. Try to see a pattern in a few such feedback messages you get. That is what you are really good at. Remember focus on strengths. Don't get overshadowed by getting your attention to weaknesses. When you are looking at a world of possibilities it is better to see what will get you there.
Articulation: There are two things here. First it is about how you would get there. It is important. It is like a plan you have once you know the destination. When you plan you put to rest unwanted pitfalls (or up your preparedness to overcome them) that may arise. You will surely achieve what you wanted. Most people do not achieve what the set out since they did not articulate it correctly. Articulating it correctly means you have to "express it" and do so openly. A stated goal, shared with those who mean something to you is achieved with much greater probability than one that was just written in the folds of your diary. That is why most new year resolutions are up in smoke by the time Valentines day arrives each year. Once you articulate the mind tries to channelize energy to ensure you live up to what you want to do or get.
Movement: Here it all about action. It is about hitting the road to start the journey. Even the longest journey begins with a small first step. When you are on the path to achievement you will have to keep constant look out for the pot holes and also navigate any obstructions. Pot holes can slow you down... e.g. someone trying to demotivate you, or lack of time to pursue your task of achieving the goal or even the lack of energy due to pursuit of multiple goals. It is here that the focus comes to your rescue.If you feel this way go back and re-look at the focus. Obstacles are things that will stop you. Fear is the biggest obstacle. Many a time they are like the invisible demons fought by the Little Prince in the classic novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. You need to overcome them and your plan is something that will help you along with the articulation especially the verbal and non private articulation that you need to live up to
Evaluation: It is about milestones, progress, achievement and fulfillment. Each of them is important. Defining milestones is important to ensure you are moving in the right direction and the right distances are covered. The anxiety and anticipation keep increasing as you move to the destination and crossing them makes you recognize progress. You need to look ahead and anticipate as well as look back and reflect as you move on in our pursuit of achieving what you set out for. Celebrating success and feeling a sense of achievement is very important.
The FRAME can completely change your outlook. It helps redefine your views, focus your attention and tune out disturbances. Your life is a beautiful canvas, give it life and vibrancy by the right FRAME. In hind sight it may look like a simple concept but it is mountain like when you try to adopt it and that's why they say human potential is still vastly untapped.
