I hear it all the time: "I can't start seeing clients until....." and the list of all the things they need to do FIRST is rather endless. Does that sound like you?
What's REALLY going on?
Dietitians are great perfectionists. And they are great at planning... and planning.... and planning.... It wasn't by ACCIDENT that my book is called "Just Jump"!
When a person spends all their time trying to make things 'perfect' and keep planning, and don't actually get out there and DO IT, this often means one big thing: They don't feel confident inside!
So, yea, you can spend all your days (forever) planning and making things just right, but while you're doing that, time is passing and people who might be calling you are calling other people!
So, your planning for making things perfect is costing you! It's costing you money; it's costing you business; it's costing you success! It's costing you your dream!
OK, we've painted the picture of what can hold you back. Now, how do you step out of that pit of perfection and turn it around into creating success?
1 - JUST DO IT. You've heard that saying, I know! You're never going to really know what works and doesn't until you get into the 'trenches', so to speak. Take a client! Tell people you're ready. Yes, inside you may not be, but trust me; you know much more than you give yourself credit for. And I PROMISE you know more than your clients know! And where you may feel you're flying by the seat of your pants, they may walk out of that first session saying, "Wow, that was better than I thought!"
2 - SAY YES. Honestly, there is no other way to start creating success on the inside than to 'just do it'! Now, what may happen after that first session is that you didn't like how that first session went. NOW you have something to work on, though! But, when that second call comes, TAKE IT! With every yes (with exceptions - see #3, below), your self-confidence grows.
3 - FOCUS. This means stop going in 1,600 directions. For every opportunity that comes your way (or every new educational option), ask yourself, "Does this help me achieve my goals right now?" Grin; all my clients know this question. If you do NOT answer "Yes", then say "no" and let it go. The first few times you do this, you'll feel nervous, but soon your confidence will start to grow, because the yeses are more focused and enhance what you want to do, and what you do well. Embrace this tip and take it seriously. This is a HUGE key to success at every level.
I could go on, because once I get going, I LOVE this topic. But I'll stop there. Let me know what works for you AND let me know you've actually stopped planning and have JUMPED!
Margie
Marjorie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT
MEG Enterprises
