by Tiffany Tyler-Garner
Today, I encourage you to revisit the ceiling and sky. Reconsider, all you thought possible and ask yourself, “Is there more?”
If you are reading this magazine, you have accomplished much. Moreover, if your journey is anything like my journey, you can point to any number of accomplishments. Whether it is raising an incredible family, growing a great organization or maintaining a happy marriage, you have likely achieved some measure of success. However, I encourage you to consider have you reached the end. Have you reached the end of:
the possibilities?
your story?
your capacity?
As someone striving to be unstoppable each day, I have found that it is critical to periodically evaluate several vital areas: 1) my vision, 2) my progress, 3) my limitations, and 4) my assets. If I am not careful to evaluate each of these areas, I may find myself stuck—stuck with limiting beliefs, misaligned priorities, and a false ceiling when the sky is the limit!
Join me in revisiting the ceiling and sky today by evaluating each of these areas. Start by clarifying your vision. Be sure it is your vision and not just a list of other people’s expectations, agendas, and wishes. While there is a certain level of interdependence essential to our existence, we must be sure to guard against the toxic vision that manifests as codependency and enmeshment. We must also be sure about whether we still desire the things for which we once hoped. If we are not mindful of these implications, we may find ourselves half heartedly striving to reach someone’s sky or prematurely foreclosing on dreams to meet other people’s needs.
Once you have clarified your vision, check your progress. It is nearly impossible to hit a target for which you have not aimed. Be sure you are taking tangible steps toward your vision each day. Moreover, review, confirm and celebrate those steps. If more than three days has passed since you have taken steps to achieve your vision, prioritize taking a step the next day. Do not allow more than 72 hours without progress. While this may feel daunting, progress could be just making the next right step or one step.
Now that you have clarified your vision and checked your progress, get clear about your limitations. In order to realize your vision and maintain your progress, you must get rid of limiting beliefs and false limitations. It is vitally important that you rule out fear, self-doubt and any limitation not supported by facts. Moreover, you must readily seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, while embracing discomfort as a routine aspect of growth. It is also important to remember that limitations can be broken, exceeded and overcome.
Lastly, join me in taking account of all you bring to the table through your talents, gifts, experience AND failures. A wise person once said, “I either win or learn—I don’t fail!” With this mindset, commit to updating a few things every year:
your resume
your biography
your certifications
support system
self-care plan
sense of self efficacy
opportunities
professional memberships and affiliations
investments
insurance
While not exhaustive, updating this list each year is a solid foundation for determining what assets you may leverage to break glass ceilings, go beyond the sky and achieve your dreams!
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