Do You Set “Stretch Goals” for Yourself?

Do you have a development need that you are loathe to address?  We all do, admit it!  While I think it’s vitally important to align your career with your natural strengths, you can’t delegate and avoid your “challenged” areas forever.  Eventually, you’ll have to suck it up and address your weaknesses. 

You’ve heard about stretch goals – a goal that is just out of your current reach.  Well, this week I worked on one of my stretch goals.  Public speaking.  Let me start by saying, I would rather cut off my right arm than speak in public.  In college I decided to tackle this fear and took several speech classes – it didn’t work, so I gave it up for awhile. 

I’ve written about the importance of visibility and networking when you are trying to advance your career.  It’s just as important when you are a small business owner.  It’s time for me to take my own advice. 

Yesterday, I recorded an interview with Milana Leshinsky, founder of ACCPOW, on the topic of climbing the corporate ladder.  It’s my first attempt at any type of recording and I was TERRIFIED.  Luckily, I had an experienced interviewer to work with.  I just finished listening to it (that was even more terrifying…I didn’t want to confirm one of my greatest fears!) and I sound like George W. Bush trying to deliver the State of the Union .  A lot of important information but you can hear the nervousness. 

It isn’t easy to face your fears and weaknesses.  Sometimes it isn’t as bad as you thought. Other times, it’s worse!  The ability to do it over and over again until it becomes second nature will separate you from those that never try...and never achieve greatness. 

What stretch goals can you set for yourself? What is holding you back from achieving your goals? 

Look for more on my audio recording in the next couple of weeks.  I’d love your support, and remember, please be kind!