If you’re not achieving your desired success, do you blame others? I did it early in my career until I realized it was my responsibility that mattered to achieve my success!
We are approaching the end of the year. Are you on track to achieving your goals? If you are going to fall short, do you know why? Have you identified the shifts you must make to get back on track?
Over my 37-year career in coaching, I have discovered that the most successful people take personal responsibility for their goals. They are open to coaching to get better and make progress. Then, some want to play the blame game. In sales, for example, They list all the reasons they will miss their goals: the market conditions, the clients won’t call them back, the toxic work environment, and some blame their managers for their lack of performance.
I get it. It’s human behavior to find someone else to blame for our shortfalls. That is called Fear. Fear of Failing or how others will view us. But what if we reframed it, and instead of blaming, we learned from Failing, the First Attempt In Learning? For instance, we can improve our communication skills or seek more training.
Believe me, as coaches and managers, we want our team to exceed their goals. Our job is to identify where we can support and coach them. We must start being honest with ourselves and understand why personal responsibility matters.
Personal responsibility is not just about admitting shortfalls—it’s about owning your role in your achievements and setbacks. When you fully own your performance, you empower yourself to find solutions and drive positive outcomes. This mindset leads to growth, learning, progress, and success, giving you a sense of control and confidence.
The Blame Game
Blaming others, especially your manager, might offer temporary relief, but it won’t lead to meaningful change or professional growth. By shifting the focus from what’s outside your control to what you can influence, you empower yourself to make a difference.
Here are three key strategies to help you hold yourself accountable and steer your career toward success: focusing on what you can control and taking personal responsibility for your actions and outcomes.
Own Your Numbers.
You must be clear about your goals and understand that this is the first step toward taking responsibility. Instead of vague objectives like “sell more,” break down your intentions into specific, measurable targets. For example, set a goal to meet a certain number of new clients each week, grow your current accounts, close a certain number of clients each month, or increase your client base by a specific percentage over the next quarter.
Having specific goals will give you a clear path to follow and allow you to measure your progress. This process will help you identify what’s working and what needs adjustment.
Develop a Progress Mindset
Adopting a mindset of progress is crucial for personal accountability. It means viewing challenges or setbacks as opportunities to learn, grow, and progress rather than seeing all the obstacles. Instead of saying, “I didn’t hit my target because my manager didn’t support me,” consider what you can do differently next time to achieve better results.
A progress mindset is about constantly seeking improvement, being open to feedback, and being willing to change your approach if it’s not working. It’s about seeing every situation, whether a success or a failure, as a chance to learn and grow.
The most successful people I know always seek ways to improve their performance. They are open to new ways of achieving personal and professional coaching.
Seek feedback from your peers, not as criticism but as valuable insights to refine your approach. For instance, they point out areas where you could improve your communication or suggest a different approach to a particular client. By constantly learning and adapting, you position yourself as a proactive problem-solver, taking charge of your development.
Reflect and Adjust Regularly
Regular reflection is vital to ensure you’re on track. Schedule time each week to evaluate your performance. Ask yourself questions like:
What did I achieve this week?
What challenges did I face, and how did I address them?
What can I do differently next week to improve my results?
Where did I lose focus this week? Did I let personal distractions get in my way?
Reflecting on your actions and outcomes can help you better decide what needs to change. This process of constant adjustment ensures you remain in control and actively work towards your goals.
Success in sales does not solely depend on your manager or external circumstances—it’s mainly within your control. By owning your goals, maintaining a progressive mindset, and regularly reflecting and making adjustments, you can take personal responsibility for your performance.
Remember, It starts with you!
If someone can benefit from this, I invite you to share it.
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