Stage 2: Exploration

Remember when you were a kid and you went on scavenger hunts? Even if you weren't sure what the reward was going to be, you knew the hunt would be fun - because of the thrill of anticipation.

This excitement gets lost somehow in the transition to adulthood. We have a hard time with the "journey" part of reaching our destinations.  This is especially true in the search for ideal work.


The exploration stage of success can be one of the longest. Typically, my clients worry that they aren't working hard enough - putting in enough time. They look for epiphanies around every corner.

The truth is, the exploration stage is all about finding clues -- just like a scavenger hunt. The clues can be confusing and even seem misleading -- but if we are persistent, patterns start to emerge. The more willing we are to find the truth in everything we examine, the more likely we are to reach the goal of having a complete picture of our ideal work.

The key is to keep moving forward - to keep exploring a particular path until you find the truth.

Ever watch an Olympic track and field race and seen a false start?  With all the pressure that olympic athletes face, sometimes they literally "jump the gun". Of course, they then return to the starting line and get set all over again. Despite feeling embarrassment, disappointment and the fear of another false start -- they always return to the starting line.

In the exploration stage of success, you can have a false start, too.  Many of my clients feel like they shouldn't make a move in case they've misread the clues. They worry what friends and family might say; that their reputation might be adversely affected; that they might be tempted to quit if things don't work out.

So how do you overcome this fear? Keep your initial investment low.  Take only a small step in the right direction. As you experience positive results, your enthusiasm will be fueled. You'll be inspired to continue exploring and taking bigger risks.

Just like an olympic athlete,  you can learn from your performance, make modifications and step up to the starting line with an eye on the gold medal.

 
 

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