Are you in “The Corridor”?
The Corridor is what I call a holding, resting, waiting, thinking, decision making place before transitioning and moving into another place or space.
There are two Merryman Webster Online definitions for this term that defines the place and what happens there:
a : a passageway (as in a hotel or office building) into which compartments or rooms open-(this is the holding, waiting, resting place)
b : a place or position in which especially political power is wielded through discussion and deal-making-(this is the thinking and decision making place)
I just returned from an amazing 3 day conference in Atlanta, Spark and Hustle put on by Good Morning America Career Expert and founder of Womenforhire.com, Tory Johnson.
This was one of the best thought out, executed and well received career and business conferences for woman, I have ever been to!
We all came away with so much information, inspiration and unity as women. The energy and gratitude expressed for the amazing opportunities we have as women now to be our own people and control our own destiny were overflowing!
There were 200 plus women there (and 2 empowered men) from all over the country representing all generations, ethnic backgrounds and in differing places in their careers!
These five insights STRUCK me about where women are in their careers and transitions.
1) Women are out in full force, desiring to become more autonomous and independent in their careers and work lives.
2) Women are eager to discover their vision, purpose and passion and live it.
3) Women are collaborative and creating niches for entrepreneurship and business opportunity with other businesses and especially each other.
4) Women still struggle with their leadership, self esteem and self confidence.
5) Women still struggle with HOW to get their ideas and vision out of their head and into action.
It’s this last observation that has been a running thread and theme with so many women I have met, spoken to and counseled over the past couple of years. I met several women at the conference who are in that Corridor.
A bit stuck, a little scared and need a push, out of The Corridor and into action!
How can and do you inspire and motivate people to move forward, step out and into action? Sometimes they just need that push to take the leap of faith.
Even if it’s not perfect, if you want something to become a reality you have to DO IT.
Many times you have to TAKE ACTIONS YOU DO NOT YET BELIEVE IN!
One thing we all felt for sure in listening to and meeting some really savvy, action based women: they ARE doing and making it happen!
Tory did it. She made it absolutely possible, probable and happen by believing in the Spark/ideas and getting into action/the Hustle!
Tory Johnson is a testimonial that taking ideas that you are passionate about and believe in, and getting into action to make them succeed is possible for anyone. A self described “regular girl from Miami Beach”, she has found her passion, answered her calling and continues to build a “tribe” of people who she leads into action and who inspire her everyday.
So, how do you get out of the corridor and into action? It’s a very personal moment when you just DO IT.
These are 12 things that have motivated and propelled me forward and into action in my life and journey.
1) Define the what and why, my BIG Picture.
2) Research the HOW and scope out the successful competition.
3) Create do plans with very specific tasks and time-lines.
4) Identify what skills need upgrading, get help and commit to upgrading them.
5) Set dates to do, act, ship.
6) Monitor, test and measure.
7) Build the habit of doing, acting and being.
8) Invest in your own education and motivation.
9) Ask for help, business, referrals and feedback.
10) Continue to DO and ASK.
11) Cultivate the WE, collaborations and a support system.
12) Believe in who you are and what value you bring.
I launched Train with Shane in February 2007. Each year I do a review, do a vision board and make sure that the what, why, how and who are relevant, effective and working. I have spent time in The Corridor, especially when going through cycles of growing and evolving. The Corridor is a necessary place sometimes, but ultimately, the getting into action has been the key to making things happen.
We can choose how long we want to be like Hem and Haw in Who Moved My Cheese and stay stuck, or transition more into Sniff and Scurry, who are always in motion to somewhere, and eventually they find new cheese.
“Sometimes when I don’t know, I just keep moving “..
How do you get into action? Here are 12 more tips!
