Why self-control is the engine of your success
Do you have a goal you’ve been striving for but haven’t yet reached? Whether it’s finishing a project, addressing team dysfunction, or having a tough conversation, self-control is the engine of your success. It’s the driving force that keeps you focused and persistent, and tools like the If-Then Plan can help you harness that power to reach your goals.
Developed by Psychologist Peter Gollwitzer, the If-Then plan not only helps to achieve goals, it also gets you in the habit of changing your behavior and building self-control.
For example, if you have a difficult time staying level-headed during conflict. The If-Then plan helps you prepare for a successful outcome by deciding in advance how you’ll respond.
To apply the If-Then plan, follow these two steps:
- Identify your typical go-to tendency during conflict like yelling, people-pleasing, blaming, or checking out as soon as things get tense.
- Identify what you’ll do instead to stay in control of your response so the conflict gets addressed productively.
How Self-Control is the Engine of Your Success Using The If-Then Plan
If I feel triggered during a team meeting, Then I’ll focus on breathing to ground myself so I don’t say something I’ll later regret.
If an employee isn’t following through with a task, Then I’ll speak with them privately with a curiosity mindset to find out what’s getting in their way.
Identifying your If-Then plan builds your self-control so you’re more likely to show up as your best and follow through achieving your goals.
By recognizing that self-control is the engine of your success, you can build habits that ensure consistent progress. Are you ready to build your self-control and turbocharge your success? Book a strategy call and together we’ll create a personalized plan to propel your goals forward.
About the author
Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills.
Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together.
Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.