The Thoughtful Leaders™ Blog
Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on May 13, 2013
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh
Often it is the voices within us that stop us from trying and achieving what we really want. Somehow we’ve learned to censor our actions and even our desires. Perhaps it is a safety mechanism that we needed at one time, but that no longer serves us.
Many times my clients share their dreams and goals with me, and then in the same breath, they share why those things that they truly want for themselves are unattainable. With this surety of failure, they rationalize that they shouldn’t even try for their goals, or waste their time on useless endeavors. I have been privileged to witness the opposite. I’ve watched many clients break through their preconceived notions of what they “can’t” or “shouldn’t” do…break through to success. Sometimes it’s just the success of challenging their self-inflicted limitations, and often it’s the success of achieving (or allowing) that which they’ve always wanted.
When Van Gogh was alive, there were many people who said he could not paint. My guess is that there were also internal voices that echoed those sentiments. Imagine our loss if he had listened to those voices – if he had not challenged himself and others and created his masterpieces.
When my clients tell me of something they can’t do, I challenge them to challenge themselves, and I dare them to do it anyway. “Just do it,” I share (to quote Nike). “What’s the worst that can happen if you do it?” I ask. “What’s the worst that can happen if you don’t?” With these questions in mind they often simply laugh at their voices of limitation, and jump in.
What’s the worst thing that can happen if you try to do that thing you don’t think you can do? What’s the worst thing that can happen if you don’t? Click here to share.
Listen for the voices in your head that tell you you can’t do something that you long to do – and then do that thing and see what happens.
For support in challenging yourself to break through, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on March 18, 2013
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” Ursula LeGuin
One of my former colleagues is extremely focused on getting his next promotion. Every time we speak, that is the main topic of conversation. On its face, there is nothing wrong with that, but my sense is that all that matters to him is getting the promotion, not what the new job will be and not what’s happening around him now as he waits. Once he receives the promotion he’ll have to live in that job every day… and we never discuss if it will be a job that he will like, and we certainly never discuss how to make his current job more fulfilling. It’s like the person who is so focused on their big wedding that they forget about the lifelong marriage to follow and miss the daily moments of joy with their beloved.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on January 22, 2013
 What does the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 mean to you? For some, they are glad to see a difficult year come to an end and look forward to better times ahead. For others, the past year was filled with triumph, joy, and success, and they wonder what the new year will hold. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, the passing of another year is a time for personal reflection – taking stock, appreciating what is, letting go, and planning for success in the year ahead.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on January 21, 2013
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” Michelangelo
One of my clients has a symbol of inspiration on his desk – a paperweight with a simple yet mighty question – “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” He said this question opens his mind and helps him to see new directions. The paperweight, and question, sit on my desk as well – as a reminder that I need to reach for the things that really matter to me and not limit myself through fear or doubt.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on January 14, 2013
“First say to yourself what you would be: then do what you have to do.” Epictetus
It all comes down to personal responsibility. We simply have to take responsibility to get ourselves where we want to be and to make ourselves who we want to be. But how?
It’s easy to complain. It’s easy to notice how hard it is to achieve our goals, or how long we’ve been working at them (or at least talking about them). It’s easy to wait for circumstances to change, or other people to change, or things to work out. It is so much harder to make the decision and then move forward no matter what. But it’s necessary. It’s the only way.
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Posted by Robyn McLeod on January 3, 2013
 In 2012 there were many great blog posts, emails, and videos I had the pleasure of reading and experiencing that inspired me, helped me to see things from different perspectives, and encouraged me to make positive changes in my business and personal life. We have shared several of these through our Thoughtful Leaders™ Blog. To start off the new year, I’d like to share seven other posts that I found helpful, in the hope that you take away a few tips and principles to live and lead by in 2013.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on October 29, 2012
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney
In so many ways, we are surrounded by adages that urge us onward and upward. “The sky is the limit.” “Reach for the stars.” “If you build it, they will come.” Yet we rarely see these ideas as true for us. We hold back from going for all that we want, or from believing that we can have it or achieve it.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on November 14, 2011
“There is no try, only do.” Yoda
Many of us probably remember Yoda from our childhood – that small creature from Star Wars who taught Luke Skywalker to trust in himself and in the Force. Many of us probably never thought twice about Yoda’s guidance, although we remember it well. I think Yoda actually had great advice for us all.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on June 20, 2011
“You have to measure what you want more of.” Charles Coonradt
Is it a law of the universe, as some people claim, that we get more of what we look at and look for? I don’t know. I just know that time after time clients share with me how much more they’re seeing of a desired behavior or outcome once they’ve started to look for it, to notice it, and even more, to measure it.
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Posted by Robyn McLeod on April 8, 2011
 It’s a simple concept: Water is hot at 211 degrees – One degree more and it boils. That extra degree makes a world of difference, changing the water’s composition and generating steam. We see the same in life and leadership. That one extra degree of effort, commitment, stick-to-itiveness, or confidence can make a huge difference in finally reaching a goal, achieving success, or solving the problem.
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thanks so much for including me in this!
You’re welcome, Karin! We look forward to your insights and ideas in 2013!