The main reason Professionals and Executives don’t achieve certain outcomes is that they focus too much on desired behaviour rather than historical behaviour.
Let me explain.
Every one of us is running on default:
💭 Default thinking
🤔 Default decisions
🎯 Default actions
We operate on these defaults because we’ve spent years reinforcing them through repeated habits. Achieving a different outcome usually requires changing how things are done, or else history will repeat itself.
Even with a clear strategy or game plan, the core driver of behaviour is these ingrained defaults. And if they aren’t properly addressed, outcomes remain the same.
Why Insights Alone Aren’t Enough
When Professionals and Executives in their 20s and 30s approach me for Career Coaching, I always emphasise:
We can have a fantastic conversation filled with amazing insights ✨, but unless you address your defaults, you’ll likely return to your routine and repeat the same behaviours.
The ones who achieve change are those who start by examining the defaults of themselves and their team.
Try This Exercise
If you lead a team:
1️⃣ Imagine what your team members would do, individually and collectively, if you weren’t around.
2️⃣ Even if they are clear on the strategy and are sufficiently motivated, how much of their past behaviour predicts their future behaviour?
For yourself:
1️⃣ Think about a time when you set a goal but didn’t achieve it.
2️⃣ Reflect:
- How much of the outcome was outside your control?
- For what was in your control, what old behaviours did you keep repeating?
Shaping Your Defaults for Success
Now, consider your career goals for this year:
- Which of your defaults will serve you? ✅
- Which defaults will hold you back? ❌
Even if you know what should be done, ask yourself:
What will I likely do based on past behaviours?
Once you focus on this, you can:
- Better understand how close you’ll get to your goals.
- Identify which default behaviours need to be reshaped to improve your chances of success.
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