Laura Berman Fortgang

Question of the Week: Get Fired Up Again

By Laura Berman Fortgang on April 2, 2023

What will bring back your spark?

That was the question that became a theme this week on my coaching calls.

Low energy
Uninspired
Blah

I think it’s safe to say we all feel this way from time to time.

Whether you’re experiencing a bout of burnout, your self-esteem has taken a hit, you’re just not excited about the things going on in your life anymore, or something else — it’s not uncommon for something to dull your shine.

The really good news is that losing your spark isn’t a permanent condition.

It can be dangerous if you don’t address it; however, it’s entirely possible to get fired up again. 🔥🔥🔥

But how? Maybe a little self-care, exercise, decluttering, asking for what you want, or taking a day off…

The answer isn’t always the same, but you need to pick one:

Take action.
Identify a solution.
Create a disruption.

Whatever you do, don’t just sit around smoldering and whining about your spark being gone, in a pile of ashes and disappointment. It won’t do you any good, and you can still do a lot of good.

Here’s what I mean.

Last week, I needed some inspiration, so I decided to create a disruption.

I shook up my normal routine and went on an audition! As you may know, I used to be an actor, so it’s something I still like to do occasionally. But this was different — not my usual musical theater, but a real stage play.

You know what? I got a callback!

It let me know that I don’t suck, it was super exciting, and it reignited my spark. I’m glad I created a disruption (I didn’t get the part, but I was actually relieved due to scheduling).

Now it’s your turn. If you’re barely running on fumes, how can you get fired up again?

It could be something big, such as training for a marathon, or something small, like taking a different route when walking the dog.

The point is, you must do something to create a little friction — rekindle your flame and stoke the fire.

Give it some thought. Daydream. Journal. Doodle. Try new things.

You’ll be shining again, burning with passion, and ready to take on the world before you know it.

Got a conflict at work? Do this.

By Laura Berman Fortgang on March 24, 2023

If you’re anything like most people I coach, you hate conflict.

Especially in the course of a workday!

But let’s face it; the workplace is like a playground, where people dress a little better and use a slightly better vocabulary.

We’re all still a bunch of kids just trying to get our needs met.

But managing difficult conversations, facing uncomfortable truths, and laying things all out on the table is never fun.

So you try to avoid it at all cost. Who wants the headache?!

Let’s face it; the workplace is rife with conflict — the kind that operates out in the open, and the kind that’s simmering under the surface … then things boil over, and you know how that goes!

Why can’t we all just go along to get along?

Here’s the thing —
You might be thinking the conflict is about something petty or ridiculous or all the other person’s fault. But it’s really all about that playground drama.

Remember, we’re a bunch of grownups, dressed up, still trying to get our needs met.

Ask yourself: What are my needs?

As for me, I have a high need to be recognized. Like at home — if I’ve gone through the effort to make a meal, I want to hear, “Thanks Mom; this is good!” If not, I get cranky.

Maybe you have a need…
to be liked, respected, heard, and
to be seen,
for control…

What are your needs? Think about it.

When you have an interpersonal conflict with someone, stop to think about what need of yours is not being met.

This will make things so much easier. It’s hard to believe at first, but it’s not usually about them and whatever annoying/infuriating thing they’re doing or not doing.

Maybe it’s about YOUR need not being met.

And if it’s NOT about you, it’s about the other person’s unmet need. Become very curious about what people really need underneath the words they use, and you’ll find how to unravel conflict much more easily.

The Unfortunate Cost of Covering All Your Bases

By Laura Berman Fortgang on March 19, 2023

As a coach, I’m in the business of helping people get what they want — out of their career, their business, and their life.

Over the years I’ve observed a thing or two about wanting, and the many reasons why people often don’t get what they want.

One big reason is that they’re holding tight to the idea that they’ve got to cover all their bases.

I’ve had a few clients recently who were adamant about it.

They were convinced that they had to do everything humanly possible to be absolutely certain that they were giving themselves the greatest shot at success.

Which sounds good, right? Of course you’d want to give your next thing your best effort…

“But what if it takes longer than expected?”
“What if it doesn’t work out the way I hope?”
“What if I fail and fall flat on my face?”

That’s where clinging tight to those bases comes into play.

“I’m excited about opening a wine shop on Main Street, but I should probably keep designing websites on the side.”

“I’d like to focus on working with older widows and divorcées in my coaching business, but young professionals are my bread and butter, so I don’t want to change my marketing messaging.”

“I’m committed to partnering with my brother in his lucrative insurance business, but my old boss just told me about an opening at his new company. I should at least apply.”

Or in my client’s case, she took a severance package, stepped down from her corporate VP role, and made the decision to move in an exciting new direction…

Take a wild guess…

She started applying for more corporate VP roles that she didn’t even want! Slammed the door closed, celebrated her freedom, and then tried to sneak back in.

She claimed she was “just” covering her bases. She was tempted by the “what ifs.”

Look, I get it —
Change is uncomfortable.
Fear of failure is real.
Identities are difficult to shed.
Believing in yourself isn’t easy.
You’ve gathered all sorts of evidence that you’ll never really get what you want anyway.

But I’m here to tell you, I’ve seen it countless times —
You want to change careers, get a promotion, or launch a business?, and have to go all in!

You might think it’s safer to stick with what you know, but the real danger is getting stuck in what you don’t want.

I know it’s scary, but the key to success is focusing on what’s ahead of you, not what you’re attempting to leave behind.

Trying to cover all your bases only guarantees that you’re not going to get what you want.

Are you good enough?

By Laura Berman Fortgang on March 12, 2023

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they didn’t feel good enough, I’d be on the Forbes list right behind Bezos.

Okay, I’m exaggerating … but it sure seems like it sometimes.

I dream of being a writer, but I’m not good enough.
I want to go after a big promotion, but I’m scared that I’m not good enough.
I’d like to start a business, but I’m not good enough.

They don’t always use those exact words, but the implication is always there.

Let’s talk about something more practical because only the best writers earn a living from it.
I would’ve gotten promoted by now if I had what it takes. I’m ready to jump ship and try something else.
Most businesses fail, so I don’t want to quit my day job, but having a coaching practice on the side would be nice.

Do you hear it? “I’m not good enough” is barely under the surface, but it’s there.

Maybe you can relate, so I’m here to tell you: YOU’RE ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH.

Don’t get me wrong; sometimes there IS more training or experience to be had, and I’m not suggesting you compromise your standards or settle for mediocrity.

What I mean is, you have to give this some real thought…

Why do you really think you’re not good enough? Whose measuring stick are you using?

Sometimes parents, family, the community we surround ourselves with, or society at large sends us a message that shapes the way we view ourselves. Sometimes well-meaning, sometimes not. Either way, the “not good enough” doesn’t do us any good.

I’ll give you an example…

Someone in my circle was a disappointment to their parents because they skipped college to sweep floors at a photography studio. Fast forward. Now this person is the owner of one of the largest media companies in the U.S.

If you’re suffering about not being good enough, you made the whole thing up. Sorry to sound harsh, but it’s the truth. The opinions of others aren’t weighing you down nearly as much as the super-high standards you’ve adopted and chosen to place on yourself.

But if I suggest that you lower your standards, yikes — I know, mind blowing. Immediate no, right?

I encourage you to reconsider. Here’s why —

If you’re working your tail off to try to prove something to someone….
If you’re suffering because you’ve realized you’ll never be Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court or at the top of that Fortune list I mentioned earlier…
If you’re wallowing in self-doubt because your new business made $99,999.97 last year…

You’re not doing your best work. You’re operating from a place of defeat and desperation.

Success breeds success.

You don’t lower your standards to accept loss. You lower your standards so you can win, then win again, then win again.

If you’re focusing on the evidence that you’re not good enough, your attention is pointed in the wrong direction.

I didn’t make cheerleading in high school because I wasn’t good enough, like my friends — boo hoo! But it led me to find theater, which I loved! But I wasn’t good enough to make it to Broadway – which hurt! But it led me to what I do today, which I love even more!

I could’ve focused on the evidence that I wasn’t good enough. Instead, I focused elsewhere and found what I was meant to do.

The more you win, the better you’re going to do.

The Trouble with “Work Hard, Play Hard”

By Laura Berman Fortgang on March 5, 2023

There was a time when I thought business and pleasure didn’t exactly mix.

I was all about getting work done, checking off lists, and doing an excellent job.

Even in my theater days — where fun was had by all — I tended to stay laser-focused on the job at hand.

But over the years, I noticed something interesting: some of the people I admired most knew how to have one heck of a good time while taking care of business.

So I started allowing myself to loosen up and to have more fun … and it changed everything!

These days, lots of folks seem to have a case of the blahs — not quite depression, but they’re feeling uninspired, especially when it comes to work.

Employers are grappling with low employee engagement and can’t get workers to step it up.

Needless to say, we’ve all been through a lot over the past few years and continue to deal with ongoing uncertainty. Burnout is more than a buzzword; it’s a reality I hear more and more about every day.

So what to do? For one thing, we must start making fun a priority. I’m not saying it’s a cure-all, but it’s certainly a potent treatment.

That hit of dopamine it provides can have a powerful impact.

It drives focus, boosts motivation, improves executive functioning, peps up productivity, and enhances satisfaction — just what the doctor ordered for business and success with less stress!

We’re all familiar with the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but we’re less familiar with the idea that play primes us to do better work.

I used to think you should wait until your work is completed to play, like eating your dinner before having dessert. But it turns out that giving yourself a dose of dopamine first is the way to go!

Here’s how I like to think about fun; it helps you…
Forget
Unnecessary
Nonsense

Go ahead and feed your soul, remember your zest for life, and then do what you’ve gotta do.

Last week, I was chatting with alums of our Now What? Experience, and we talked all about how much fun matters.

One woman had been in a bit of a rut, so she decided to revisit the athletic days of her youth. Get this — she joined a basketball league specifically for women over 50, and it was far more than a good workout. She had a BLAST, and as a result, started showing up differently in her business.

I had my own version of this last year, revisiting my theater days. I did the musical Bright Star for community theater. The JOY this experience brought me was incredible, and everyone noticed how much it bled into my work. (I was nominated for a best actress award in the local theater circuit, which cracked me up because I did the show for FUN, not for recognition or accomplishment—is there a lesson there?)

What would bring YOU joy?

Spending more time on the golf course?
Playing the piano?
Getting into the woodshop again?
Creating art?
Having more sex?

If you’re in a bit of a rut and want your motivation and productivity to pick up, I encourage you to have more FUN!

When I work with people on career clarity, one of the first steps we take is to ensure life isn’t so stressful and horrible that it clouds your thinking. Fun, fun, fun!

To dopamine!

Does asking for what you want feel “pushy?”

By Laura Berman Fortgang on February 26, 2023

We all want what we want, but sometimes going after it feels a little icky.

If you’ve ever had someone skip the small talk and bark a request at you, you know what I mean.

It’s kinda like going for the goods with no foreplay or asking someone to marry you on the first date.

We all prefer for someone to ease into things, get to know us better, and prove themselves worthy.

You don’t want to be THAT person running over people and bulldozing their way through life. You might get what you want, but you’re likely leaving unpleasantness in your wake, burning bridges faster than ghost pepper igniting your mouth to five-alarm status!

You’ll get much further (and be able to look at yourself in the mirror) if you take the time to build relationships and establish trust.

If you struggle with doing what it takes to get what you want, try this —

To simplify things, I use the acronym GILLS.

G: Get clear on your intent. What do you really want?
I: Be interested in other people rather than trying to be interesting.
L: Listen and be present. Don’t think about what you’re going to get out of someone.
L: Learn and ask questions. Remember, people love to talk about themselves.
S: Be specific. When it’s your time to ask for something, be able to say exactly what you want.

This is how you create opportunities and long-term success. It’s not the easiest route, but it is the most effective and sustainable over time.

And it takes away the “ick.”