VOLAR - Turning Roadblocks Into Runways, Part 3
*3- The L is for "Lean On Your Resources" -
Much like opportunities, you are surrounded by resources, but sometimes you don't recognize them. Sometimes, you don’t feel you deserve to ask or are afraid to lean on them. Additionally, we misunderstand what resources really are. Often when working with clients who come to me for help with a huge life transition, I will have them work on a list of their resources. Funny enough, the list always starts off really small because they have a limited idea of what a Resource is.
When I get them to understand the full definition and then invite them to dig deeper - Jackpot!
Suddenly, they discover that they actually have a Wealth of resources!
Many people have this limited view which makes them feel like they have No Resources. I promise you there is an abundance of resources all around you all the time. You may simply have gone blind to them. Let us illuminate these underutilized gems.
Oxford Languages defines a resource as “a stock or supply of money, materials, staff and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively.”
It also defines it as, “an action or strategy which may be adopted in adverse circumstances.”
I want to widen your concept of what a resource is for YOU, get you looking beyond what is in your bank account and what obvious physical assets you have. You may read this and think, “But I have no money and no assets!” I challenge you to dig deeper.
Resources can be friends, family, contacts, but they are also your experiences, your tools, the things you have learned along the way that somehow may be applicable today. Resources come in many different forms. And when roadblocks appear, a resource can be “an action or strategy which may be adopted in adverse circumstances.”
Think about resources in terms of things you DO have - contacts both personal and business, networks you have built along the years, skills you may not be fully leveraging, the things you have learned along the way. When I invite my coaching clients to write down a list of resources, and ask some meaningful coaching questions, I get them to look beyond the bank sheets, the classes they took or the title on their diploma. What skills have you learned along the way that are NOT on a certificate? Perhaps, for example, you were a bartender for years and now you are looking to move into a corporate sales position, but you feel like you are not qualified. Do you know what kind of salesmanship it takes in order to thrive in the service industry? Only the best salespeople get the best shifts. You may not have taken an official Sales class, but if you have been doing it for years, and doing well, I would venture you can teach those “Sales Trainers” a thing or two. You have to highlight this skill and provide statistics, how much revenue did you generate for that bar or restaurant, show how your sales skills impacted that company.
What about what is grossly misnamed “soft skills”? If handling people is a “soft skill”, whoever came up with that term has never worked in customer service a day in their lives! If you worked in customer service, hospitality or real estate for example, you have worked with people, dealt with different personalities and handled conflicts. If you did it well, you have developed important skills. These skills are the make-break of any great leader, sales person or parent even!
What have you mastered along the way? These are resources to lean on. They will inform the “action or strategy which may be adopted in adverse circumstances.”
I invite you to sit down and think about this deeply. Write out your list of resources. Keep it updated. You never know when roadblocks will pop up and you will need to have this list handy so you can then execute the L In VOLAR -
Lean On Your Resources!
*Excerpt from my upcoming book, "VOLAR - Turning Roadblocks Into Runways!"
To learn about the rest of the steps in VOLAR, stay tuned for the next blog article in this sneak peek series.
Mitch Savoie Hill, "Engagement Expert", is a Certified Professional Coach, TEDx Speaker, and DISC Certified Corporate Trainer, as well as the CEO and Founder of SavHill Consulting LLC. With over 25 years of experience in Sales, Hospitality, Training and Leadership, she delivers engaging and energetic presentations for any company or group wanting to clarify their vision, map out strategies and Stretch Their Horizons!
To find out how you can more effectively engage your clients or teams, and attain your goals despite roadblocks, schedule a Coaching or Corporate Training Consultation today -
https://www.savhillconsulting.com/speaking-training