16,99 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Fachliteratur
- Sprache: Englisch
Untwist the question mark from your life to start living authentically UNSTUCK offers a path forward for those who are "stuck"--despite the comfort, security, and what should feel like success. Do you feel disengaged from a life that looks good on paper? Do you feel like there must be something more? This is your guide to getting unstuck, breaking free of your comfortable cocoon, and discovering what you are meant to be. Through the story of George Johnson, a man in a position much like yourself, you'll learn how to shed the boredom, emptiness, and confusion so you can get on with your life. Whether you need a complete overhaul or just a jumpstart, you'll find the advice you need to start making it happen. More than just a story, this book shifts your perspective to help you realistically plan a transition from the ordinary present to the extraordinary future; emotional support coupled with practical guidance helps you find your path, identify your destination, and begin your journey. * Re-think your purpose in life and discover your calling * Rediscover the truth about yourself and who you really want to be * Follow a clear formula for moving forward with authenticity * Break out of your comfort zone and feel fully alive The fact that you've succeeded doesn't mean that you can never change; your dedication, commitment, and skills got you this far--imagine what they could do with a healthy dose of passion! You Unstuck re-acquaints you with your authentic self, helps you uncover your passion, and guides you toward your next big thing.
Sie lesen das E-Book in den Legimi-Apps auf:
Seitenzahl: 167
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017
Ähnliche
UNSTUCK
A Story About Gaining Perspective, Creating Traction, and Pursuing Your Passion
Dan Webster and Randy Gravitt
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright © 2017 by Daniel Webster and Randy Gravitt Leadership, LLC. All rights reserved.
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600, or on the web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with the respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom.
For general information about our other products and services, please contact our Customer Care Department within the United States at (800) 762-2974, outside the United States at (317) 572-3993 or fax (317) 572-4002.
Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available
Names: Webster, Dan, 1951– author. | Gravitt, Randy, 1964– author.Title: Unstuck : a story about gaining perspective, creating traction, and pursuing your passion / Dan Webster and Randy Gravitt.Description: Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2017. |Includes index.Identifiers: LCCN 2017007859 (print) | ISBN 9781119381624 (cloth)Subjects: LCSH: Self-actualization (Psychology) | Self-realization. | Career development.Classification: LCC BF637.S4 W43 2017 (print) | DDC 158.1–dc23LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017007859
Cover Design: WileyCover Image: © FrankRamspott/iStockphoto
I dedicate this project to my co-author, Randy Gravitt. His life is a living illustration of this book. He is truly one of the finest men I've ever met. —DW
To my wife, Laura. Your love, prayer, and encouragement are the reason I am living my dream. Thank you! —RG
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
UNSTUCK: The Fable
The STOP Sign
Confession
Back at the Bank
Losing Heart
The Phone Call
Warning Sign
Alive, but Not Living
Perspective
ER
Daisies
Gone Missing
Everyone Needs Traction
Relief
Reflection
It's in the Doing
Action
Renewal
Welcome Back
Six Months Later
UNSTUCK: Application Guide
You, the Traction Formula, and the Six-Phase Model
The Traction Formula
Applying the Traction Formula to the Six-Phase Model
Applying The Traction Formula to the Six-Phase Model
Excitement Phase
Applying the Excitement Phase…
Applying the Traction Formula in the Excitement Phase
Fundamentals Phase
Applying the Fundamentals Phase…
Applying the Traction Formula in the Fundamentals Phase
Contribution Phase
Applying the Contribution Phase…
Applying the Traction Formula in the Contribution Phase
STOP Sign
Applying the STOP Sign…
Applying the Traction Formula at the STOP Sign
Misery Phase
Applying the Misery Phase…
Applying the Traction Formula in the Misery Phase
Renewal Phase
Applying the Traction Formula…
Applying the Renewal Phase…
Applying the Traction Formula in the Renewal Phase
Wisdom Phase
Applying the Wisdom Phase…
Applying the Wisdom Phase…
Creating a Personal Manifesto
Suggestions for Those Who Lead Others
Suggestions for Leading People in the Different Phases
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Stay In Touch
Index
EULA
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
UNSTUCK: The Fable
Pages
ix
x
xi
xii
4
5
6
8
9
10
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
34
35
36
37
38
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
62
63
64
65
66
68
69
70
71
72
74
75
76
77
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
90
91
92
93
96
97
98
99
102
103
104
105
106
108
109
110
111
112
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
136
137
138
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
172
173
174
175
176
178
179
180
181
182
183
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
223
224
225
226
227
Foreword
Have you ever felt stuck in life? I know I have. Years ago, I found myself stalled in my work as well as in my most important relationships. Things appeared hopeless. I almost lost everything that was important to me. Thankfully, I was able to find traction in my life and work, but it took longer than it should have. Looking back, I wish I would have had a copy of UNSTUCK to serve as my compass toward renewal.
As an author and speaker I now have the opportunity to work with organizations and teams all over the world, and I have observed a trend among today's leaders. They, too, have a tendency to lose their way. Not knowing the questions to ask or steps to take in order to move forward often leaves them feeling paralyzed, anxious, and defeated. Can you relate to what I'm saying? If so, I have good news. The book you are holding in your hand is about to help you find renewal. Dan Webster and Randy Gravitt have done a beautiful job capturing the internal conflict felt when someone is stuck while blending guiding principles into the narrative, describing a process of moving forward in the midst of the struggle.
Dan and Randy have spent their lives inspiring others to align their passions, live authentically, and to reach their potential. They are both gifted communicators who understand the process of leader development at the highest level. I have been personally encouraged by their work, and I know you will be too.
So, if you are disengaged in your career, struggling relationally at home, or lacking traction in other areas of your life, I am confident UNSTUCK will become your road map back to the life you are meant to live.
Jon Gordon
Introduction
If you have ever been stuck, you know how frustrating it can be. However, spinning your wheels in a vehicle, buried in the mud, barely compares to a life that has lost traction. A few years ago, both of the authors of this book found ourselves wondering if we were still on the right career paths. The malaise might as well have been mud. Many days felt hopeless as we struggled through the mundane monotony with little hope of renewal at work. Admittedly, there were times that being stuck at work also affected other areas of our lives.
Looking back, we could have settled for the status quo and stayed stuck. Many people make that choice. How about you? Do you feel trapped in a dead-end job, dreading the drudgery of work? Are you merely going through the motions in your relationships with those who matter most? Are you mired in a habit you need to break? If you answered yes to any of those, we have good news. You can become UNSTUCK. A fulfilling and significant career is still possible. Your most important relationships can again be life giving and bring you joy. And your life can experience transformation as you leave destructive habits behind and redirect toward growth.
When bogged down, our inclination is to grind it out and try harder. But if you have ever been stuck, you know that pushing the accelerator only buries you deeper in the muck. After discovering that trying harder doesn't work, the temptation can shift to trying less and choosing to disengage. Trying less may feel easier, but it still fails to create progress. The only thing that helps when you are stuck is traction.
Thankfully, we both were eventually able to become UNSTUCK and find renewal in work and life. How did we do it? By applying the principles you are about to read. On the following pages, you will encounter the story of George Johnson, and we think you will be able to relate. Truthfully, there is a bit of George in each of us. We all have a tendency to lose our way.
After you enjoy the story you will be positioned to activate its truths just like we continue to do. We have included an application guide in the back half of the book to walk you through the renewal process. It is a process to help you get UNSTUCK. If you faithfully work the process we are confident it will help you create traction in your life and work too. As you will discover, renewal is available to anyone who chooses to apply the simple formula that helped us.
It's time to for YOU to get UNSTUCK!
UNSTUCK The Fable
The STOP Sign
“Anne, we need to talk.”
As soon as the words rolled out of George Johnson's mouth, the flashing blue lights caught his attention in the rearview mirror of his Lexus.
You have to be kidding me, came rushing hotly into George's mind. Of all days and of all …
The voice of his wife, Anne, interrupted his thinking. “George! You ran the STOP sign!” But it was too late. George had blown right through it, preoccupied with the thoughts that had been building in his mind and heart for weeks. The last thing George expected was to be pulled over in his own neighborhood.
Though once vibrant and fully engaged in his work, the past seven years as the president of First National Bank had taken its toll on George's psyche. He felt like his soul wasn't in his work anymore. Board meetings, golf outings, loan approvals, regulatory issues, meaningless emails, and monitoring his 401(k) statements consumed most of his time. George knew in his gut there was more to life than these things, but he didn't feel fulfilled by the work he was doing. Significance was eluding him.
“May I see your license and registration please?”
Not recognizing the young officer, George's eyes lowered to the name badge over the right shirt pocket of his freshly starched uniform, which read, simply, BRADLEY.
“Sir, I live in this neighborhood. Less than a mile from here, in fact.”
Without emotion, the officer replied, “Then you should know children play on these streets and cross at this intersection all the time. The STOP sign applies to everyone, sir. Now if I could see your license and registration please.”
“I'm the president of the bank, and we have lived in this subdivision for thirteen years,” George pointed out, glancing over at his wife. The fact that Anne sat quietly didn't stop her from communicating her disapproval to her husband. With just one slightly raised eyebrow she relayed that George needed to obey the officer's request.
“Sir, I am not going to ask you again. Your license and registration.” This time, there was little patience in Bradley's tone. Reluctantly, George complied.
For the next ten minutes neither George nor Anne said a word. It was all he could do to keep from exploding. A ticket in my own neighborhood. This is ridiculous! The fact that three of his neighbors drove by, slowing down to see what had happened, didn't help matters.
“Sign here, please,” were the next words George heard. “Your signature is not an admission of guilt. If you choose to dispute the charges, you have the right to appear in court on June 20.”
Mumbling under his breath, George scribbled his name.
Confession
The house felt empty as George walked through the door leading from the garage to the kitchen.
Following him into the house, Anne asked, “What is it you want to talk about?,” not forgetting his words prior to the STOP sign.
“Not now, Anne.”
“I really want to talk about what's on your mind,” she said with a touch of concern.
“It's nothing, really.”
“George, you said we need to talk; now let's have it.”
Realizing this woman who knew him so well was not about to let it go, George showed a crack in the façade of strength he was trying to portray.
“I'm losing it, Anne.”
“Losing what, dear?”
“My mind, I think.”
“Come on, George. You've pushed the limits on that STOP sign for years. I hate to say it, but the officer had no choice. I'm not upset; let it go and let's get some rest.”
“Anne, I'm not talking about the STOP sign. I'm talking about me. Something is wrong with me.”
Never one to complain, the way George said that last sentence communicated a sense of fear, almost a cry for help. Frankly, it scared Anne, who turned toward the kitchen as she said, “Sit down and I'll put on a kettle of tea.”
As George and Anne talked well into the night, it was obvious something was wrong. George unloaded the emptiness, boredom, and confusion he was feeling about his life. There were times when Anne questioned whether it was simply a phase George was going through, but she mostly just listened. When they eventually went to bed, it was 1:37 in the morning and George was more than tired. He was weary.
George showed a crack in the façade of strength he was trying to portray.
Sunday morning dawned with George still exhausted, emotionally spent from his late night confession. At breakfast, Anne poured George's coffee with the gentle suggestion, “You need to talk with someone, sweetheart. Someone who can help you process what you are feeling. I have to believe this is simply a phase. You have always loved your work, and frankly your life.”
“Who would I talk to? Are you suggesting a shrink?”
“Maybe. I don't know. Someone who can be objective. A counselor or maybe even the reverend. You need help, George; all of this despair is not like you.”
As Anne walked back over to the coffeemaker to return the pot, George felt a surge of anger coupled with despair. He knew she was right. He needed help.
Back at the Bank
Patty Porter was usually the second to show up each morning at First National Bank. That had been true pretty much every morning until recently. Wondering, again, where George was, she flipped on the lights and fired up the computer system to prepare for the tellers who were soon to arrive. George is coming in later and later each day, she thought as she opened the office door of her longtime boss. Everyone at First National knew Patty was the glue that held the place together. At least it had felt that way for the past couple of years.
Something in George had changed, and everyone sensed it. Patty, however, was as steady as ever. She approached each day with energy and enthusiasm, always the first to offer a word of encouragement or to pitch in when things backed up.
Maureen had recently felt the impact of Patty's presence. She was the newest teller and worked only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. When her mom was diagnosed with cancer, Patty was the first from the bank to pay a visit. Patty had even served Maureen's mom recently by driving her to a chemo treatment on a day when Maureen had a stomach bug.
Patty was just that way. The bank was more than a job to her. It was a place to live out her passion for people. She planned the celebrations, baked the cookies, visited employees when they were sick, and even attended the ball games and recitals of her coworkers’ children. Yes, Patty was the glue.
George arrived just after the second teller showed up. “I was about to call 911, George. You okay?”
“I'm fine. Just a long weekend with graduation and everything.”
“I bet. How is Anne? She must be so proud of Mark. He looked great walking across that stage.”
“She's fine. We appreciate you guys for making the time to drive over,” George replied tersely.
“Are you kidding? There is no way we would have missed it.”
As Patty turned and walked back to her outer office she knew George was struggling and that those around him were feeling the effects. For the first time, she was truly worried about her boss.
Losing Heart
Midway through the morning an email arrived that sent George over the edge. It was a bill from Morton Frazier. The company George contracted to do repairs on the building had just completed its annual touch-ups on the exterior of the bank. The invoice included an additional $200 charge for a gutter repair that had not been authorized. The gutters had been damaged by a spring storm and needed an overhaul, but it was the principle of the thing for George. “How can Morton charge me two hundred dollars for those gutters when he didn't even ask me to approve the repair?”
Hearing George talking to himself in a loud tone, Patty stepped to his office door. “You did need them repaired, didn't you?”
“Well, yeah. But I didn't tell Morton to do it.”
“George, what's wrong with you? Morton always does our repairs and at a very reasonable rate, and the gutters look great.”
“Yeah, well he should have asked first.”
