Each of us wants to find our way, to have purpose. This is something I believe to be so. Having a lot of questions does not mean we are necessarily lost from this path. Each path is unique. I love what David Whyte says in The Heart Aroused:
In effect, if we can see the path ahead laid out for us, there is a good chance it is not our path; it is probably someone else’s we have substituted for our own. Our own path must be deciphered every step of the way.
Keith is determined, focused, and patient in unfolding his path. His voice of trust is finding resonance in his daily scenes. For Keith, the depth of relationship is based on trust. He is one who begins with trust; trusting first in order to learn about each individual. The driving force behind Keith’s career plans is his desire to assist others with finding their focus; confidence in their own unique purpose.
Keith has had a major realization along his own path; that trust begins inside oneself. In order to trust himself to keep commitments made to himself, he discovered how important ‘no’ can be to focus.
The Power of No
Keith said to me, “I’m learning that it takes confidence to say no.” He is learning to trust his instinct. This self-trust is giving him the confidence to say no, thus further building confidence in the thin-slicing of intuitive instinct. For Keith, this is about further narrowing his focus on what is really important. As he clearly stated, “It is about reducing the distractions from one’s peripheral view.”
The distractions along the way do not mean Keith has made bad choices. What is now a distraction was once an opportunity to learn; to learn more about self and to open more to his path of purpose.
Saying Yes
Keith realizes the blessing of the distractions he has suffered; this is teaching him more about the power of presence and focus. He is further proving that prioritization does not yield focus. It is focus that yields prioritization.
As Keith summarized, “The confidence that my opinion is of value is in saying no to some good things to say yes to the things I love the most.” Voice gives power to the ‘no’ that is so often required to keep us on the path of our purpose.
Keith Glover is leading others to the leadership freedom built on the credibility of who they were made to be.
Keith’s blog: Pastor2Pastors
There are so many good things in this posting. The need to trust ourselves preceding trust of others. The importance of “no”. That focus yields prioritization. And how important it is to say yes to the things you love the most. Thanks for sharing this, Jeff.
I agree with Linda. No is important and something I continue to learn throughout my life. The more focused one gets the fewer but more wholehearted are the yeses.
Wow! Your timing could not have been any better Jeff. Just today I experienced saying “no” in order to more clearly define my focus and laser in on who I really am. I have very much enjoyed meeting Keith at CCC. What a great leadership role model for all of us.
Jeff, I love, love, love this post! I love the phrase, “It is focus that yields prioritization.” That is so true. And yes, you do have to say “no” to some great things to say “yes” to the things that matter most. These are two concepts that I often share with my clients and, dare I say, they really are cornerstones of my “brand.”
I love this quote, “trust begins inside oneself.” I never got that it takes trust and confidence in yourself to say no. I always learn so much from your client stories. Thanks for sharing.
I agree, saying “No’ is important for your priorities since it opens up the space for saying yes.
I love this “It is about reducing the distractions from one’s peripheral view.”
It’s easy to get distracted with what we affectionately call “Bright Shiny Objects” and and take detours while we’re on our own paths to success – The distractions aren’t always bad, but recognizing them and course-correcting when needed is the key!
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
[...] colleague Keith knows that part of fixing a network is the confidence to say no. And while voice gives power to the [...]