You Already Know What to Do

You already know what to do.

This week I talked with leaders, owners, and solo operators who have the skills, the plan, and a calendar built for success. And they still didn't follow it.

It's not a knowledge problem. It's not a work ethic problem. "Just work harder" doesn't touch it, because effort isn't what's missing. Something underneath the effort is running the show.

One client came back from vacation having landed five signed contracts. On vacation. The skill was never the issue. When the pressure changed, the behavior changed. What got in the way back home was internal.

Another client has a pattern we've watched together for years. It's the biggest thing holding their business back, and it has nothing to do with strategy.

You can't out-hustle a pattern you can't see.

Awareness leads to choice. Choices made over time create change. It all starts with seeing it.

3 Levels, One Lesson

Solo Operator: Name the most frustrating pattern getting in your way. Write it in one sentence. Then ask yourself:

• What am I feeling right before it happens?

• What am I telling myself in that moment?

• What am I protecting myself from?

Mid-Level Team: When someone you lead misses something again, skip "Why didn't you do it?" Ask what emotions are showing up for them, and what thoughts are driving those emotions. Those are the clues. Do the same for yourself.

Large Team: Your blind spots become your company's blind spots. Self-awareness is a muscle. Train it like you train at the gym: on a schedule, with reps, and with resistance. You don't get fit by reading about fitness. Put 20 minutes on the calendar every week to look at your own patterns, and protect that time like a client meeting.

One Question for the Week

Where do you consistently know what to do, and consistently not do it?

Go Deeper: The iEQ9

The iEQ9 is an Enneagram-based report I use with clients to fast-forward their self-awareness. It shows you the patterns running underneath your behavior, so you spend less time guessing.

If you've taken it, pick one pattern you've had a hard time overcoming. Then reread your report with that pattern in mind and look for what jumps out at you.

If you haven't taken it, reach out to me and I'll get you a discount.

Try This This Week

Awareness without action is just insight, so don't stop at step one.

• Notice. Catch yourself in the moment you avoid the thing.

• Name. What are you feeling right before you skip it?

• Choose. Take the next action anyway, then write down what happened.

Repeat. That's how change happens.