Act As Though

When you “act as though” something has already taken place, you set the stage for it to actually occur.

By defining a goal, you create clarity and vision. Your potential is ready to be activated. One of the ways to effectively clear away internal obstacles toward your goal is to operate as though the goal is already fully realized. If you “act as though” you are already successful with your goal for just one day, you will be amazed at the difference. This is a very practical way not only to remember your goal, and to strengthen a “can do” attitude, but also to help develop the skills needed to make it a reality.

Let’s say, for example, you want to establish a goal of being less terse and more approachable in your communication. As you work with this goal, you “act as though”, or assume, that you are already communicating in a clear, complete, friendly way and that others appreciate it.

Along the way, you might begin to see that communication is becoming clearer and more effective and that necessary work is still getting done. This realization could in turn make it much easier to continue to “act as though”. A positive self-reinforcing cycle is created that can bring you closer to your goal.

You probably already have experience with “act as though” because it is an indispensable part of preparing for a new level of responsibility or a promotion. To get ready, especially for a leadership position, you need to act as though you already have the presence and skills to carry out the new role. By “acting as though”, you carry yourself differently and others see you differently as well. It is a significant step in mobilizing a deeper source of reliable, sustainable personal power.

Action Steps

1. Think of a time when you took a big leap toward a challenging goal and were successful. Did you in some way, step into the new goal, even before you achieved it? Do you recall imagining or visualizing a successful outcome before it became a reality?

2. Think of a goal that would stretch you in a good way. Can you see yourself achieving the goal? How do you look? How do you act? How do you feel? Try moving through your day with this way of viewing yourself. See if it brings you closer to your goal.

3. Focus on a current goal that you are still invested in, but feel stuck with. What kind of attitude might be needed to get unstuck? Try on that attitude. “Act as though” that attitude is second nature.  Then, see if it’s easier to do what you need to do to move forward with the goal.

4. Find a friend who you trust and feel safe with. Take a really big goal and playfully, dramatically, act it out. Have fun. Laugh.

5. Share this information with two or three friends who you would like to “act as though” with. Enlist them in supporting you. Find out how to support them.

Barbara Bouchet
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