Want to vs. Willing to
Does your commitment match your desire?
Leaders often say things like, “I want a great culture and a strong team.” But then they don’t take the steps necessary to build a great culture or a strong team. The difference is wanting to do something versus being willing to do it.
We all have things we want, but how willing are we to make them happen? It could be losing weight, taking a dream vacation, starting a new business, or repairing a damaged relationship. Why is it that we get stuck at the desire for these things instead of actually doing them?
According to the Conscious Leadership Group, it comes down to conscious desire and unconscious commitment. Everyone has a hidden iceberg that conceals what they truly want. The top of the iceberg, the part we see above the water, is the words you say: “I want to get fit.” The hidden part of the iceberg below the water is the unconscious commitment: “I’ll fail at this just like I fail at everything related to my health.”
Oftentimes we think by saying we want something, that it means we’re committed. So how can you really tell whether you’re wanting or willing? Look at your results.
If you say you want to be in great shape, but you never do any physical activity, you’re stuck in “wanting”. That means it’s time to shift to “willing”.
The Conscious Leadership Group has a list of what they consider the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. The first of these commitments is taking radical responsibility for yourself. This can help you shift from wanting to willing. You can also assess your willingness to shift by considering these powerful questions.
The Willingness Questions from The Conscious Leadership Group help us identify the thoughts and feelings that may be keeping us stuck in “wanting”. If you can answer all the questions “Yes,” then you truly are willing to shift, take radical responsibility, and own your results. If you answer “No,” it’s not wrong, it’s just an opportunity to explore what’s holding you back from achieving your stated goals.
This week, consider situations or relationships where you say you want change, versus whether you’re willing to shift. Conscious leaders take radical responsibility; they own their results. Instead of believing your words equal commitment, start owning your results. Are you willing to?
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
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The way we work and build teams is rapidly changing. Leaders often feel unprepared to navigate the transition. As a conscious leadership coach, consultant and communicator, Meredith helps leaders and their teams create new ways of working and relating so they can prepare for the future by consciously co-creating it.
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