3 tips for when you know what to do but cant perform

3 tips for when you know what to do but cant perform3 tips for when you know what to do but cant performYouve read what the experts say. Youve collected the necessary tools. You are committed. You are trying. Yet notlagehing changes. And you feel stagnant.When I was a divorced single motzu sich of four children under seven-years old on welfare, food stamps, and medical assistance, homeless and without an automobile I didnt have time to go back to school to learn a new profession. I had four hungry mouths hanging open in front of me like baby birds.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFailure wasnt an option. I decided to cease seeking what was fair, stop throwing money away on lawyers and accept that it was a far better use of my energy to focus on succeeding as the sole provider for my children than to expect family court to give anyone a conscience.I had to put a plan together to h old my family together. I felt anxious, dejected and exhausted. I cant tell you that I thought much about planning. There wasnt time for ideal, only real. There wasnt room for perfect, only good enough. I knew what I was good at and I knew my weaknesses. I decided to play to my strengths, not be embarrassed to ask for help and I took risks. I was completely vulnerable to failure. But, I was intensely focused on the vision of success.Often, we want change but are stuck on a story weve been repeating to ourselves on how we arent good enough smart enough, educated enough, experienced enough, cute enough, thin enough, likable enough, connected enough or worthy. We adopt these assumptions as facts and play to them. Dreadful.Sure, I could have perseverated on how I wasnt good enough for any of the CEO positions Ive held. That was measurably so if you looked at my background versus the job descriptions on paper. So, I didnt focus on that. I focused on my measurable results. Nobody cared t hat I didnt have an MBA when I could close a million-dollar deal, increase trade show attendance 150%, and raise $10.4 million on the heels of the largest hospital bankruptcy in US history.I became known for turning around organizations that were troubled. I learned that skill through the turnaround of my own financial situation.With more work, I was able to let go of my stuck-story of not being loveable enough. Thats where I found love and where happily ever after happened.The philosophical view is not enough. If theory were enough to sustain desired results we would execute every wise piece of advice weve learned in trainings, self-help books and collegefor great achievement.Intellectually, we know what we need to do to succeed. If knowledge delivered change we would all be thin, gorgeous, have great careers and relationships and be abundantly happy. Wed easily be able to stop eating sweets and carbs, successfully take job risks that get noticed, stick to a disciplined exercise ro utine and exhibit compassion for ourselves and others.Action with a Sense of UrgencyAction is imperative. Period. A sense of urgency is the impetus to action. How will you tie the two together? Research shows that confidence builds by taking risks. An intention to change is not change. Intention is a start but not a finish. Yet we wait for things to be perfect. We strive for excellence. Procrastination takes hold.We justify failure to launch with excuses that keep us safe. Its not the right time. I will get to it next quarter. Find your driver. Is it the memory of someone who waited too long? Is it for your health? Relationship?Anticipation with No Fear of RejectionThe best leaders know how to anticipate, act and retool. They analyze and anticipate market trends. They intuitively read peoples reactions and adjust their executive presence. They instinctively know where to be and how to behave. Its risky to position ones self, product or service before the need is obvious. It is also far better to be prepared and out ahead of the pack than behind the curve. Yes, sometimes when you anticipate you will be wrong. Invite the feedback and agree on the need to re-evaluate. Nothing makes you stuck in negativity forever but your own ego and stubbornness. Anticipate and adjust in real time not when it is too late.Letting Go without JudgmentRelease the need you cling to that keeps you safe. Of course, change is difficult. Its also faster than the slow decay of dreams, health, relationships, careers, and fulfillment that draws us into hopelessness. Dont be a passive participant in your own destiny. Discard guilt, and blame. They dont advance anything but the stuck-story. Draw on the strengths that got you through previous challenges and let go of expectations. You are capable. You are effective. Youve achieved before and you will now. Accept yourself with all your imperfections. It makes it easier to accept others.The glass isnt half full or half empty. Its there for a pu rpose to put it to use. Drink the water, wash the glass and put it away. You can pull it out when youre thirsty from having all the new fun youll be having.Have the executive presence of high performing leaders with unflappable grace without the stress by gettingMaryLees FREE eBook Be the New SMART Leader. Click here.MaryLeeGannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, becalmer and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com..bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-group-1012255-lyDBLV9 width 900pxheight 550pxYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivi tyThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people