Course Correction as a Vital Necessity

"Recalculating!" "Recalculating!" This has to be one of the most stressful yet reassuring sounds known to man. The voice of my GPS alerting me to the action she is taking to recalculate my missteps used to simultaneously lead me into a panic while showering me with peace of mind. Usually when my GPS blurts this notice, I have either missed my turn, taken the wrong path, or she is seeking to help me avoid some disturbance ahead. An internal tug-a-war would create a deep soul confusion, leaving me perplexed about how to respond. Do I cry out of frustration or exhale an enormous sigh of relief?    

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With great practice, good coaching, and walking along my perpetual entrepreneurial journey into new heights of maturity, I have learned that the recalculation function is a good thing. Does it stink (my professional term for the day) to know that I am lost or turned around? You better believe it does. However, isn't it better to know so I can do something about it? You better believe it is. Ignorance is never bliss. Whoever said that … Well, they were … Ignorant. Knowing is the first step because you can change course once you know. You can recalculate, or what I like to call RECALIBRATE. 

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Recalibration is simply the time we take to reset. Notice I said reset, not rest. There is a time and place for stopping and pausing, but this is a separate yet equal time. When we reset, we aren't necessarily being still; we instead take intentional time to review the current status quo to ensure we are indeed on the right track and headed in the right direction. As coaches building a business, we must set aside a period for inventorying our professional and personal lives as they coexist and often blur lines. Recalibration exposes what lurks in the dark and hinders progress so we can move forward along the path we intended.

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There is no wrong way to "push" the reset button. Recalibration is a deeply personal choice, infused with your personal preferences and needs. Where and how you do it is entirely up to you. The biggest factors are these: during your recalibration time, you must purposefully step away from the busyness of your calendar and the noise that so easily distracts. This is your time to take control, to set the pace, and to shape your journey. 

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When you engage in recalibration, three questions must be addressed.

• What's working?
• What's not working, and what are the risks if a fix isn't implemented?
• What's missing, and how can I mitigate the risk of closing the gap?
  
  

The answers to these questions help us plot a plan for forward movement. In our responses, we identify our problems and challenges. We are able to slow down just enough to earmark any wrong turns or missed steps. We can stare at them long enough to predict how they will impact our businesses, our families, and ourselves if we continue down our current road. In our recalibration session, once the issues are exposed, we then make room to see the opportunities they present for innovation. We are given the gift of clarity!

Or, should I say, the power of clarity? A clear mind is an unstoppable mind. With it comes enhanced focus, improved decision-making, and boosted creativity. When the thought fog is lifted, our minds facilitate a sense of calm by allowing explicit thought processes with zero clutter. This frees us to better analyze situations, solve problems, and reach our fullest potential. Clarity is not just a gift; it's a tool that empowers us to make confident decisions and take decisive actions.

Here's my charge for you today. Embrace the words "recalibrate." Let it put you at ease. Allow your coaching business' GPS to redirect your enterprise to where it needs to go.

Want more on how to engage in the recalibration process? Read further by diving into my Forbes article, Recalibrate For Success: Why Entrepreneurs Need Strategic Timeouts.

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