success trap wm t kennedy, phd

H O W T O G E T T H E C H E E S EE V E R Y T I M E …

Success Trap*

*William T. Kennedy, I-Transformation, Boston, MA

How we got where we are:

7/10/2013*William T. Kennedy, I-Transformation, Boston, MA

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We were rewarded for what worked

� Worked hard to ‘get it done’

� Again and� Again and� Again

� GOLD Stars� PAT on Back� Promotion� Pay Raise� Trophies� More PAT on BACK� Social Recognition� Big SHOT status


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We faced a challenged where what we did in the past just didn’t work anymore…

ü Then something changed.

ü It was so subtle a change we hardly noticed it at first.

ü But we began to have this nagging doubt that our old magic was fading or the situation wasn’t quite the same as before.


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M Y E N V I R O N M E N T H A S C H A N G E D

M Y B E L I E F S H A V E C H A N G E D

M Y S K I L L S H A V E C H A N G E D

I H A V E C H A N G E D

What’s Different?

How is it that when I did ‘X’ to get ‘Y’, in the past, I now no longerget ‘Y’ when I do ‘X’? What’s different?*

*William T. Kennedy, I-Transformation, Boston, MA 7/10/2013

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Task: Brushing my teethTask: Brushing my teeth Change in TechnologyChange in Technology

� Take toothbrush from holder

� Rinse brush with water� Squirt toothpaste on

brush� Brush teeth� Rinse toothbrush� Place brush back in

holder

� Remove electric brush from holder

� Rinse brush with water� Squirt toothpaste on brush� Turn on the motor� Brush teeth� Rinse toothbrush� Place brush back in holder� Recharge electric brush

Failure to gain new skills


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Old Game RulesOld Game Rules New Game RulesNew Game Rules

Failure to recognize change in environment

Old boss isn’t the same New boss isn’t the same


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My beliefs have changed and I am no longer motivated by the same things as I was in the past

Beliefs are a core driving influence on all our behaviours, conscious or unconscious.

Often we can carry outmoded beliefs—even beliefs we held as children that are unexamined—and often these beliefs are incongruent with our true feelings causing a conflict between what we truly know and what we or others think we ‘should’ know or believe.

I have changed!


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Escaping the Success Trap

� When what we’ve done before no longer works, we need to examine how we’ve achieved our past success� Next, we need to decide what is different now� Then we need to make appropriate adjustments to

our strategy to achieve outcomes under the new set of circumstances

What could be easier? This is so straight forward!


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q H O W W E O P E R A T E I S L A R G E L Y U N C O N S C I O U S

q W H A T ’ S D I F F E R E N T I S A L S O O F T E N L E S S T H A N O B V I O U S

q A N D F I N A L L Y , T H E T H O U G H T O F C R A F T I N G A N E W S E T O F R E S P O N S E S C A N L E A V E U S B E F U D D L E D

Or is it?

To get the cheese every time…

� You need to discern ‘what’s so’ in an ever changing environment and then adapt again and again� Adapt yes, and still retain your core driving essence

that gives everything you do meaning in your life� Get help! Call William T. Kennedy, I-

Transformation, Boston, MA, my mentor in I-Transformation Executive Coaching over 4 years—he’s the best there is…� If he’s unavailable find another coach who can help

you discern your heart’s own truth.� You deserve the best; your world expects it for you!


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success trap wm t kennedy, phd

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