The Buoy Factor: How Mindset Can Support or Sink You
(Part I of II - Excerpt from the upcoming book Interview Magic)
Buoys--those bright-colored objects that aid in nautical navigation--remain afloat, day in and day out, whether calm seas or rough waters. Buoys have two things in common. They float, and they are anchored in some fashion.
What allows you to stay afloat?
To what are you anchored?
The buoy factor is a measurement of how quickly you regain your self-confidence and recover from discouragement. The operative word here is recover. Not that you won't encounter days of discouragement (you will), but it's a measure of how fast you'll make a comeback (you can).
To gauge your buoy factor, score yourself on each of the following items
(scoring key: 1=true; 2=mostly true; 3=occasionally true; 4=mostly false; and 5=false)
Lately, I find that I am . . .
- Feeling overwhelmed about what needs to be done
- Lacking energy to do the important things or procrastinating about the important things
- Dealing with stress in ways that aren't healthy for me
- Forgetting what really matters in life; losing the ability to laugh at myself
- Impatient with people; yelling at my kids or the dog
- Over-reacting to things that aren't that important
- Doubting my abilities or value
- Fearful or anxious about the future; discouraged or lacking hope
- Focusing more on the negatives than I do the positives in my life
- Unable to give myself fully to roles as spouse, partner, parent, or close friend
- So focused on one compartment of life that other areas have suffered
- Not making the time or finding the energy to care for my physical needs (exercise, nutrition, regular medical checkups, etc.)
- Lacking enthusiasm or inspiration; not involved in anything that excites, stimulates, or challenges me
- Feeling isolated or lonely; withdrawing from people and situations
- Lacking the support I need to accomplish my goals
- Lacking calmness and peace of mind
- Distracted by issues that I have no control over
- Complaining about circumstances but not taking action
- Blaming others for my circumstances
- Having trouble being grateful for much
Add up the scores for each line. A total in the 90-100 range indicates that your focus, energy, peace, and optimism are at a peak and you bounce back instantaneously. Your buoy factor is high--you're a beacon of hope and optimism for others.
If your scores are lower than you'd like, do not be discouraged and do not disparage yourself. Instead, view them as a signal that it's time to act. The good news is that once you become aware of your mindset, you are in a position to do something about it. In next month's Part II of this article, we'll cover what you can act on!
Source: Career Coach Academy
