3 Ways to Keep the Momentum Going
Many ambitious leaders are good at hitting their goals and even better at developing with guidance from a mentor and in a community. But, unfortunately, many leaders don’t prioritize what’s next when they set out on their own and need to keep the momentum going. And that’s where dwindled motivation sets in, setbacks are on high, and our journey forward suffers. This is where I find that relationships and a strong network are key to not just hitting goals but sustaining success.
What happens when it's time for one of our women to move on that’s become a good friend? When I started SOMEI two years ago, I didn’t know the relationships that would be formed and the impact they’d have on me.
When we’re in the business of developing people, there is a point that is reached when we have to let go. Our hanging on does more to hinder growth than enable people to soar.
When the time came for a recent client to part ways I found myself getting emotional, protective and wanting to further guide her in this next phase. We’d worked together long enough for me to gain a vested interest in her development personally and professionally. We had shared values and she’d grown through the mentorship and coaching program. She’d elevated and gained purpose and the clarity needed to go forward in her life and career with intention.
But then something else happened. I realized that my work was done. I’d done my job and she was now prepared, equipped with the know-how and confidence to continue on in her journey. But it still didn’t take away from the feelings I had of sudden grief and separation. She’d become a sister and a friend and while we were closing out on business, we were not closing out on our sisterhood.
At SOMEI I’ve come to see the bonds formed extend beyond work to life. The lines get blurred and this has everything to do with how we show up and authentically lead. As we are welcoming new women into our coaching programs and our sisterhood membership network grows, here’s what we’ve learned;
It drives innovation. Similar to when someone completes a fitness program there is an ongoing season of maintenance. This moment got us thinking what maintenance looks like after mentorship and coaching in our programs is completed. The maintenance phase is often the most challenging because you’re now functioning while applying. Three elements are necessary to keep the fire going; 1) have clear lines of accountability with someone that knows your goals and communicate to them how they can help you continue moving forward. 2) ponder what success looks like, write it down and identify 2-3 items that are actionable, and 2-3 potential steps for each. 3) ponder what gets you stuck. Identify the feelings and circumstances that can propose roadblocks. Come up with a strategy and identify it early and tackle it.
It is causing us to focus on strengths. We’ve become ruthless about eliminating and ridding of the things that are no longer adding value and that take up a lot of our time. Some of these elements are operational while others are no longer relevant for our community. When we’re not focused on our unique capabilities we lose that touch.
It enables us to prioritize relationships aside from work. Being a women-owned business is powerful and beautiful, it separates us and gives us this opportunity to have these deeper connections with the women we serve. The working woman is juggling life in more ways than one and many of us don’t have the luxury of silos. Career and life are one and as we develop and seek to elevate in one area, we continue the need to grow and elevate in the other. We’re leaning into what makes us unique to the women we’re serving.
Are you looking for a sister network to help you elevate your life and your career? Join one of our programs, we look forward to embarking on this journey with you and one day watching you soar.