{"id":1959,"date":"2011-03-10T09:03:15","date_gmt":"2011-03-10T14:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegrowthcoach.com\/twin-cities-north\/closing-the-gap-with-the-growth-coach"},"modified":"2011-03-10T09:03:15","modified_gmt":"2011-03-10T14:03:15","slug":"closing-the-gap-with-the-growth-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegrowthcoach.com\/twin-cities-north\/closing-the-gap-with-the-growth-coach","title":{"rendered":"Closing the \u201cGAP\u201d with The Growth Coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s the GAP, why should you care, and why do you need to close it?\u00a0 Great questions.\u00a0 As a business owner, executive or professional, we all have a performance and satisfaction GAP \u2026 it\u2019s the distance between where you ARE NOW (current reality) and where you truly want TO BE (ideal future)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unless you have a perfect business and personal life \u2026 and few if any do \u2026 then you most definitely have a GAP. <\/strong> Welcome to the human race. But if you\u2019re honest, you already know that in your heart and gut.\u00a0 You know there is much greater potential locked away in your business and personal life.\u00a0 More success and fulfillment could be seized. Maybe things are broken a bit.\u00a0 Or out of whack.\u00a0 Or maybe you have settled somewhat over time.\u00a0 Without question, there is a GAP.\u00a0 And the larger the GAP, the larger the level of dissatisfaction. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The real question is are you ready to do something about the GAP?<\/strong> If so, there\u2019s\u00a0 good news.\u00a0 As your virtual business coach<\/a>, please know that your performance and expectation GAP is merely a current and temporary condition that can be changed.\u00a0 It\u2019s not fixed or permanent.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to remain stuck, out of balance, or under-performing.<\/p>\n

Own up to your GAP and make the decision to do something about it.<\/strong> You can absolutely close that GAP and achieve greater success, satisfaction and fulfillment in your business and life.\u00a0 However, for conditions to change, YOU must be willing to change.<\/p>\n

Can you close the GAP on your own?\u00a0 Perhaps … but highly doubtful unless you have real discipline and carefully follow the five-step Growth Coach <\/a>process below.<\/strong> But be warned, most owners, executives and professionals are too busy to slow down and think, too close to their own situation to be objective, and lack the discipline, process, and on-going accountability to make the transformation happen.<\/p>\n

Here is the five-step Growth Coach process for closing your performance GAP<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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  1. Face reality about your current situation<\/strong><\/span> \u2026 where your business and personal life are right now (the good, bad and ugly) and take 100% responsibility for those current conditions and results.\u00a0 Greater success tomorrow starts with taking full responsibility today.\u00a0 Blame no one else, make no excuses, and allow for no justifications.\u00a0 Step one is to own up to your circumstances, conditions and results.\u00a0 See the truth and accept it.<\/li>\n
  2. Establish clarity about your ideal future<\/strong><\/span> \u2026 where you want your professional and personal life to be and how you want them to look.\u00a0 Establish a vivid picture.\u00a0 With quiet and uninterrupted time, sit down with a pad of paper and pen to do some soul searching and dreaming.\u00a0 Don\u2019t hold back, go big!\u00a0 Paint a picture of your ideal future, including all facets of your professional and personal life.\u00a0 How does your business look in 1, 3 and 5 years?\u00a0 Your personal life?\u00a0 Use words and images to create a better world.\u00a0 A proven business coaching process<\/a> can help you through this process and help you establish real confidence and clarity of direction.<\/li>\n
  3. Acknowledge and accept the GAP<\/strong><\/span>, the distance between #1 (your current reality) and #2 (your ideal future) and know with certainty that you can close that GAP with focused action.\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike step #1, however, you now have to take ownership for not only what is, but what COULD HAVE been.\u00a0 There will be a pain associated with \u201cfalling short of your dreams and expectations\u201d.\u00a0 And you will most likely be disappointed with the size of your performance GAP<\/em>.\u00a0 That’s perfectly normal and will serve as great motivation to change and close the GAP.\u00a0 Simply channel those emotions into the constructive actions below.<\/li>\n
  4. Put a focused plan of action together<\/strong><\/span> for the next 90 days to move you and your organization toward your ideal future.\u00a0 Review and update your strategic planner every 90 days without exception and without end.\u00a0 Get feedback and make adjustments along the way.\u00a0 With the help of a business coach<\/a>, objective and honest observation\/feedback will make a huge difference.\u00a0 After all, you need the on-going TRUTH to advance, progress, and make changes.\u00a0 With a coach, there will be no playing games and no blind spots, excuses or delays.<\/li>\n
  5. Allow yourself to be held accountable<\/strong><\/span> for executing on that focused plan of action.\u00a0 This is the final and often over-looked critical step.\u00a0 It\u2019s the missing ingredient for greater success, satisfaction and true transformation.\u00a0 Here is where most business owners and executives fall short.\u00a0 Chose to be different \u2026 give yourself the gift of accountability.\u00a0 Hire an objective business coach<\/a> to help hold your feet to the fire … to drive implementation.\u00a0 Accountability and repetition will allow you to change your mindset and behavior and get the superior and sustained results you desire.\u00a0 Without accountability, your GAP will most likely remain wide and you will remain unsatisfied.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You can try to tackle the process on your own or can elect to get some professional, objective and year-round business coaching and accountability assistance. Your call.\u00a0 To help you begin your journey to close the GAP, here are some additional resources.<\/strong><\/p>\n