The Success Assumption - What Happens When You Expect to Win?
Hello Igniters!
A coach’s greatest superpower is their ability to transform how clients see themselves, their challenges and possibilities in a new light. This is why I coach – it is not just about asking the right questions, offering insight or goal-setting – it’s about the possibility of shifting your perspective. The smallest shift in perspective is often the key that turns obstacles into opportunities, procrastination into breakthrough and self-doubt into confidence.
The Insight Igniter coaching question for February 10th, 2025:
'What Would Happen if You Assumed That Success Was Inevitable?'
I appreciate this question as it encourages thinking that can disrupt the negative patterns, emotions, and beliefs you can hold about yourself, empowering you to move forward. Let’s explore how a fundamental shift in perspective through challenging limiting beliefs, and fostering a growth mindset, can empower you to achieve meaningful and lasting change.
Challenging Limiting Beliefs
When individuals are stuck, it is often because they are trapped in self-imposed limitations, believing they have no options, internalized fears, or that change is beyond their reach. 'What Would Happen if You Assumed That Success Was Inevitable?' asks you to explore alternative views and activate new thinking. In a recent coaching session, a newly promoted senior leader had been struggling with self-doubt – specifically in asserting their leadership, setting expectations for their team. They feared that enforcing high standards might make them seem overly demanding, leading to disengagement from the team. Through discussion, the client started to consider that setting expectations were keys for success and fostering accountability rather than constraints in creativity. By assuming success was inevitable, the client left the session with refreshed confidence leading through connecting team performance and morale with purpose and clear direction. Learning to shift perspective is a valuable tool for navigating uncertainty and change. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, the ability to reframe situations leads to greater fulfillment and success.
Fostering Growth Mindset
Fostering a growth mindset is a fundamental coaching belief that skills and critical thinking can be developed through effort and persistence. By viewing success as inevitable, you reframe obstacles as constructive challenges rather than insurmountable barriers. In this new way of thinking, resilience is nurtured and you become more willing to experiment, take calculated risks, and refine your skills through continuous learning. I have had to remind myself of this practice recently rebuilding my golf-swing. I initially found it frustrating to improve, consistently feeling like I am doing the right things but not seeing the results expected. Rather than seeing these early struggles as failures, I adopted a growth mindset and redefined success for each lesson and practice session. This weekend I noticed significant improvements in my swing, and the consistency of my shots increased. The golf season cannot come fast enough!
Perspective shifts are at the core of transformational coaching. 'What Would Happen if You Assumed That Success Was Inevitable?' can help clients break free from limiting beliefs, embrace new possibilities, and take meaningful action. The ability to see a challenge from a different vantage point is often the key to unlocking growth and success, making perspective-shifting an invaluable skill in the coaching process. So, what would happen if you assumed that success was inevitable? Would you set bigger goals? Take more decisive action? Silence the doubts that keep you playing small? The way you answer this question could be the key to unlocking your next level of growth. Over the next two weeks – I offer you this challenge - what’s one action you’ll take today with this belief in mind?
Let me know what new opportunities unfold for you!
Share your insights on Substack!
Until next time – Stay ignited!
Best,
Coach Stef, CEC