Don’t Go Where the Wind Blows You

Be Deliberate Instead

“We can choose to go wherever the winds of life happen to blow us,

or we can intentionally chart a course that will blow us away.”

Craig D. Lounsbrough

What is the opposite of being deliberate: Going where the wind blows you? Being on cruise control? Doing things because other do them? Or because they are expected of us? Not having a purpose? Wasting time? Being in the rat race or on the hamster wheel?

Well, whatever it is, it does not sound appealing to me.

To be deliberate means to think or talk something through carefully — it also means weighted and measured, the pace and art of careful decision-making. If you choose deliberately, you make a very conscious, intentional, well-thought-through choice.

Being deliberate has its place in all parts of our life: work, love, parenthood, leadership, creativity, …

Being deliberate is a skill. And mastering that skill will create the space for a higher level of performance when life presents its challenges. 

What are the key attributes involved in being deliberate?

1.     You have a purpose you are passionate about.

2.     You have done your research.

3.     You believe it’s worth pursuing.

4.     You believe you have what it takes and the confidence to deliver it.

5.     You have sought the right input and support.

6.     You have thought it through with the right plans in place.

7.     You have made a commitment to yourself to hold yourself accountable.

8.     You are inspired and energized by the anticipation of the outcome.

9.     This is going to happen for you no matter what obstacles you might encounter.

Of course, when all this is said and done, we have to embrace being deliberate and then "just do it." Mike Philips considers this and offers three key elements to be deliberate:

1.     Vision – you must know where you are going. People with vision can see their outcome before there is an outcome. You have to begin to map at this level before there is anything tangible. If you cannot see an outcome here, it is not likely you can get what you want.

2.     Have Plans – This is the thought process, the ideas, the strategy, and tactics. It doesn't even have to be perfect. But it should be written down. Writing things down makes them real. It allows us to be held accountable either to ourselves or to others (when or if we share our plans). And it has to be well enough designed.

3.     Action – You must start. It doesn’t have to be perfect action – it just has to be pointed generally in the right direction. People so often try and wait until the plan is perfect. In the meantime, opportunity keeps moving – it doesn’t stop and wait for you. So, if not now, when?

Emma Holmes is asking the perfect question: Are you ready (do you have a “Plan) to start living (“Action”) the life you imagine (“Vision”)?

And Carolyn Stuart connects being deliberate with leadership: “When we take the time to make explicit, the purpose of our actions, we turn our practice into Deliberate Acts of Leadership. Thinking deeply and deliberately about the purpose of what we do, brings benefit to ourselves and those with whom we work.”

And Michael McMahon adds another component: While the action of being deliberate is centered on oneself, it is rarely selfish because deliberate and passionate action is contagious. Those who choose to be deliberate in life often begin to see their actions transform the experience of others.

1.     All of your experiences have one thing in common...You! So, choose wisely.

2.     Always seek to raise the integrity and intensity of your efforts…people will notice.

3.     Communicate intentions and seek to enroll others because you can't go it alone.

4.     Choose to make a positive impact on the way you occur for others…be true!

5.     Be open to your role as a catalyst for possibility…and you will attract just that!

And in your business? Be deliberate about addressing your challenges around sales and growth: talk to us about how we can help.

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Mike Philips – Being Deliberate

Carolyn Stuart – Deliberate, purposeful, valuable

Emma Holmes – Be Deliberate

Michael McMahon – Five in Five: Being Deliberate

Photo by Anne Gosewehr