HUSTLE TIME (HIGH POINT)

 20221006 Module 26

Key Idea: The idea of Hustle is to act quickly and with high energy, or to work hard to obtain something or get somewhere in life, with passion, gut and drive.

I enjoy learning new things. It could be any topic of interest. As long as it had my attention, I could spend long hours just digging deeper and deeper into a subject. That is why one of my core values is Growth - I believe we should always be intentionally growing our minds (not our physical bellies). But what I don’t enjoy are written assignments. Coming from an Engineering background, our lab reports then were all of 5 pages, and most of it was filled with graphs & charts. So when I entered into seminary and almost every single subject required a Research Paper assignment, I very nearly died. But because God had made very clear my calling, and completing assignments was the only way to graduate, I hustled and burnt many jars of midnight oils.

One lesson I take away from that experience that helped me in this present Coaching journey, is that I knew I could hustle and am not afraid of the hard work (I don’t necessarily enjoy hustling, but I know I can do it). And that gave me the belief I needed to persevere to the end. When Covid afflicted my family and robbed a whopping 3 and a half weeks of my work & assignments time in October, I was extremely frustrated. But thanks to the Coaching sessions I had with some of my cohorts, I was able to vent & whine & just let it out and let go. I am grateful for those sessions, as it allowed me the focus I needed back to hustle some more.

In class, we learnt that there are many potential reasons that prevent a person from achieving a goal. If a Coachee exhibits patterns that prevent them from progress, the Coach can help push them into hustling. These “false starts” include:

1. Self-Sabotage (a limiting belief, a bad habit, instant gratification, etc.)

2. Procrastination (telling myself I’ll start tomorrow, or I’ll be in a better mood/mindset later)

3. Lack of self-esteem / belief (Sorry, I’m just not good enough, feeling unworthy of lofty goals)

4. Uncertainty (Insecurity, desire for control & knowing what’s ahead)

5. Scapegoat (Blaming, failing to take responsibility for one’s own future).

When these patterns are identified, the Coach can help the Coachee by employing the following 5 Strategies to Hustle:

1. Self-Help - Empower the Coachee to help themselves. Starting to believe in themselves.

2. Today (Present) - What are you thinking, emoting, sensing, wanting right now? Don’t just think about the future (future pacing), but think (awareness) in the now. The gap may be too demotivating. Have daily, more manageable steps in place.

3. Yes, I can - Reframe your can’t. Help them see above the line.

4. Clarity - It gives power. Clarity + trust + communication = great connection

5. Responsible - Take responsibility for your own destiny. Take action that moves you forward. Don’t be afraid of being blamed.

And finally, P. A. C. This acronym containing 3 Life-changing Key Words stands for Perspective, Affirmation and Celebration. 

1. PERSPECTIVE

If all you’ve done for your coachee is give them a different perspective, then you have already achieved something. The following are some exercises that can draw out a different perspective for us.

i. Draw a dot in the middle of a white piece of paper. As you continue to draw the dot, imagine all the challenges transferring into the dot. How do you feel?

ii. Imagine yourself in an open field. As you pull up from the field, what do you see? 

iii. Perceptual Positioning. Self, 2nd Party & 3rd party (neutral observer).

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/perceptual-positions-powerful-exercise-to-strengthen-understanding-and-empathy/

2. AFFIRMATION

Defined as to make something firm. We give affirmation to our Coachees by making firm their self-belief to achieve their goals set out before them. We could be the ONLY ONES giving affirmation to this person in their entire existence.

We give Affirmation to our Coachees through noticing shifts, courage, reinforcing a new behaviour they want to cultivate, or their strengths & empowerment,

3. CELEBRATE

The hardest thing to do isn’t achieving your goals, but the hardest thing is celebrating yourself.

Think about it, when was the last time you celebrated yourself? Just taking a moment to reflect and honour the moment or accomplishment is a worthy celebration. What did you do? Allow the celebrations to rewire our brains & drive us toward greater growth.

My takeaway from this session: A person can only go so far if he hustles his way forward. But with a travelling (thinking) companion tagging along for the journey, their distance covered could far surpass the sum of their individual distances if they travelled alone. So don’t hustle alone. Get yourself a partner and discover how far that takes you. Many thanks to everyone who hustled with me! May we go farther than we could ever ask or imagine!