Success Teams Maximize Your Potential
Author: Dr. Ann Ronan

Did you ever stop to think that “self?improvement projects could actually be accomplished better with the support of others? I’m excited about a new project I’m working on with a colleague: creating a Mentoring Academy for a professional women’s organization. One aspect of this process is the creation of "Success Teams": a circle of friends who support each other in creating and defining their dreams and then creating strategies and assigning deadlines to those dreams to make them real. Our Success Team work is based on a process described in the book Wishcraft by Barbara Sher and our own experiences.

For about a year, the two of us committed to try out this concept of a “circle of friends.?We met each Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss our dreams, brainstorm possibilities, choose goals and set a course of action. It changed both our lives in significant ways. Amy’s personal relationships deepened and her professional life reached new financial levels. I left a university job that didn’t offer enough challenge and satisfaction and have created a successful career development business. We believe these breakthroughs would not have occurred without the support that we gave each other. What a gift it is to know that your Success Team members will hold a vision for you when you have doubts!

How do Success Teams Work?

Accountability ?Each week you tell each other what actions you plan to take the following week towards your goal. When you know that your Success Team members are waiting to hear about what steps you took towards you’re goal, you’re more likely to follow through. You don’t have to rely on your own self-discipline; the reward of sharing your accomplishments with supportive people will keep you going.

Emotional support ?Every path to a goal has its bumps. Your Success Team members will provide you emotional support when you’re afraid, depressed or ready to give up.

Practical help ?Brainstorming ideas with your Success Team will generate many more possibilities and brilliant ideas then you could dream up yourself. You can give each other referrals when needed. You can role play upcoming situations that seem difficult for you.

Encouragement -Success Teams provide genuine encouragement by setting clear standards, listening to each other with eyes and heart as well as ears, and celebrating all the small accomplishments toward larger goals.

Success Teams are a form of group coaching. With guidance from your Success Team you will be amazed at the levels you will begin to reach in all aspects of life you choose to focus on. An important part of the work you do will be to discover your values and your motivators. The process of uncovering what truly motivates you and where your passions lie allows you to focus your attention, time and money on those things that really matter to you. This process is best done with others ? others can ask you questions that you’d never think to ask of yourself. You can meet in person or through teleclass formats. Find people who will be supportive while gently asking the right questions and you will be in very good hands.








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Dr. Ronan is a Career Coach who excels in guiding women through transitions to new careers or to transformation in their existing careers. Call for a free introductory coaching session today! Ask about the Group Coaching Teleclass Workshop beginning June 4, 2001. 909-941-0426 or irishmist57@aol.com. Send an email if you’d like to be added to the Passion with Profits weekly newsletter.

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