There’s an illness running rampant in our country, and you may have seen (or even experienced) a case or two recently. It’s a disease called the “Yes, Buts!” Common to people NOT living their lives with heart and soul, its primary symptom involves settling for the status quo, even though that status quo may be very painful.
Other signs of the “disease” include a resistance to overcoming obstacles and an emphasis on developing valid-sounding excuses to justify inaction. Let’s take a light-hearted look at this problem and what can be done to treat it!
About Susan Whitcomb
The respected authority on career training and certification, Susan is founder of The Academies coach training organization (http://www.TheAcademies.com), including Career Coach Academy, Job Search Academy, Christian Coach Academy, and Leadership Coach Academy, where hundreds have earned their certifications in career coaching, job search strategy, Twitter, and branded career communications. Susan’s passion is equipping career professionals with the competencies and confidence to make a living at what they love!
Susan’s Coaching Suggestions
1. Write out, draw a picture or create a collage showing what you really, really want in your life/work.
2. Post this description some place where you’ll see it regularly.
3. For a short period of time (4-5 days), observe your mind and heart’s response! Be aware of your internal “chatter” about this vision … where are the “yes-buts” coming up? Note them specifically.
4. After your observation period, take some time to look at the “yes-buts” and rewrite “yes-ands” for each one. For example, “yes, but I don’t have the money to do this” can become “yes, and we could sell our second car and get by on one” or “yes, and I could get a part-time job working virtually in the evenings to help save money for this.”
Take Action:
1. Identify one step that you will take in the next three days that will take you closer to your ideal life/work.
2. Enlist support: you are seven times more likely to succeed with an accountability partner at your side. Trained coaches are the best for this process!
3. Put a perseverance plan in place. Here are several questions to keep you focused:
* What do you need to say “no” to?
* What do you need to reprioritize?
* What will happen if you don’t devote time to this?
* How much time will it take you to ______[fill in blank with an important task for your purposeful life]? Where is that time in your schedule? When’s the best time of day to do that task?
* Where do you notice the “yes-buts” creeping back into your thinking? This may be your conscience/ego working to keep you safe. Acknowledge the “yes-buts” then start LOOKING for the provision for your need. It’s out there!
* Who do you need to become to step into this new way of being/living/working?
Susan’s Quote for the Day
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” ~John Pierpont Morgan
Click on the audio arrow below to listen to the interview.
On December 1st, I interviewed career expert Susan Whitcomb about several of the “yes buts” or “golly wobbles” that keep people from living lives of “glorious success and satisfaction.” We discussed the “yes buts” of time, finances, identity, and the chief culprit—fear. A consummate professional coach, Susan advised us to step into a future life, imagining what it would look like if our dreams were fulfilled. “Our dreams,” Susan said, “hold the clues to our life journey.” She asked us to consider questions such as: (1) What dream have we put on the back burner? (2) What is our secret wish that would dramatically change the way we live or work? (3) At the end of our life, what would we regret not doing? (4) If we lived a life of “no regrets,” what would that bring to us and to our loved ones?
Thank you, Susan, for a wonderful interview!
Warmly,
Jory
When my kids were little and would respond to my husband in this way, he’d always interrupt and say, “No Yeah-buts!” I have to confess I’ve been guilty of yeah-buts recently regarding a book I’m working on. Your coaching tips challenged me to take a closer look and find ways to be intentional as I move forward. Thanks Jory and Susan!
Thank you for this interview, Jory – Susan Whitcomb has been a hero of mine for a long time. Her transparency and authenticity are refreshing and a true encouragement to Christians overwhelmed by their imperfections and lack. Her insight on fear (False Expectations Appearing Real) was especially helpful to me.
Rejoicing in the Christ of Christmas!
Susan Fleming
Diane and Susan, thank you for your thoughtful comments … so grateful to know that we are on the journey together. May you know complete and sweet Provision today for your deepest needs.
Rejoicing in the journey!
Susan