Patterns of Behavior
When I was in high school, I took up sewing. Why? Because I wanted new dresses for special occasions; and it cost less to make the dress than buy the dress.
So, I would go pattern shopping. I would look through the giant pattern books in the sewing section of Walmart. Those pattern books were HUGE with pages and pages of all kinds of patterns for clothing, kids projects, and more.
I specifically looked for patterns I could make with my limited skill set. They also had to have a bit of style and flair. The few dresses and skirts I made were...okay.
However, I especially liked one long, red and white dress I made. It had a bold, flowing pattern of florals and scrolls, with a long slit up the side. It had an open neckline with a broad, oval shape. It was perfect for wearing to the summer dance with my white, strappy stilettos and big, oversized, white hoop earrings.
OMGosh! I'm sorry...I've lost myself in memory! It all started with the idea of PATTERNS. Let me get back on track!
Patterns shape our lives. Whether it's a dress pattern, or a printed pattern on fabric, or the patterns of behavior one displays at work, at school, or at home; patterns impact you, individually. And patterns of behavior impact those around us.
Dress patterns are very specific. They layout fabric pieces, cutting lines, and seams to deliver a finished product. Life, work, and career patterns don't always come with such detailed instructions.
Shift your visual image of clothing patterns to the concept of behavior patterns. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are always demonstrating patterns in what we do, what we say, how we say it, or the body language we convey.
Think about it. Think about your client who is always kind and considerate. That's a pattern. Think about a colleague who always voices a complaint. That's a pattern. Think about a beloved leader who always cheers others on. That's a pattern.
What patterns are you displaying to others by the way you act, react, and interact with them? Patterns, repeated over time, speak volumes about your character, your values, your priorities, and how you perceive things.
What are your patterns of behavior revealing about you? Like the pattern of a dress, are they shaping your life into something delightful, alluring, and memorable (like my red and white dress)? Do they convey your confidence and capability? Or are your patterns of behavior creating something that many find challenging and difficult?
Evaluate the patterns in your behavior. If showcased in a GIANT pattern book of behaviors, would people be buying your patterns or passing them over for someone else's more desired patterns of behavior?
When working with clients, I always look for the patterns that shape their success. It might be a pattern of behavior or a pattern of business operations. Those patterns either contribute to greater success or hinder momentum.
The crux of this idea is that if something is missing or lacking or skewed in your behavior patterns or business patterns, you must identify it and fix it, just as if you were tailoring a dress, or a suit, or a pair of pants. When you follow proven patterns of behavior, you build connections, grow businesses, and nurture relationships. Something meaningful always emerges.
Let's discover your patterns (together) to design or re-design your success in business, life, and leadership. When you do, your potential will unfold, growth will evolve, and greater success will emerge.
