Starting and growing a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, progress is not a straight line and being a leader is incredibly demanding, stretching you, spreading you thin, and spiraling you toward burnout. Become the leader your vision requires – cultivate the clarity, discipline, and momentum you need to explore boldly and lead intentionally. Get a weekly nudge to think differently, lead intentionally, and keep exploring.
⚡️Shift the Energy
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When we name a goal, it’s usually because we desire change. That change can be framed negatively – lose weight, mitigate risk, stop scrolling, or avoid spending, for example. Or positively – grow market share, invest in my health, learn a new skill, or build a new habit, for example. These frames impact the energy and perspective we bring to the challenge. A negatively framed goal feels like running away from something:
This is me when I’m managing my email. It’s always overflowing with unread messages and I’m constantly battling to get back to zero and keep it there. Think of how thrilled I'll be to sit down and do it. Not very, right? A positively framed goal feels like running toward something:
This is me when I’m developing new activities for coaching clients or writing this newsletter. It’s work that is in service to the larger vision I have for my life and work. It creates feelings of opportunity and excitement. Think of a magnet with a positive and negative charge. One side repels, the other attracts. For whatever you’re trying to accomplish, it’s worth noticing the energy you’re bringing to it. I notice this when I work with coaching clients. We start by naming where they feel most stuck or challenged lately, then we name a goal for the conversation. The purpose of a coaching conversation is, of course, action – to get unstuck, to gain clarity over the next step, to get them moving. When I sense a negative charge like this, my go-to move is to ask some version of: If this went really well – if you were wildly successful, what would be different? Suddenly, the client’s face lights up, as they describe a future they are excited about – one in which they haven’t just solved the problem, they’ve moved beyond it, they’re positively charged, running toward something. This is the energy you need to cultivate to solve problems, to pursue goals, to stretch into something new. Name something specific to move toward, not simply something to get away from. 📫 If this sparked an idea, or if you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to hear from you. You can reply directly to this email to share what you’re working on, ask a question, or suggest topics you’d like me to cover in future newsletters. I read every response. Until next time, Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2026 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Michel Schefman, 321 Liftoff
Starting and growing a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, progress is not a straight line and being a leader is incredibly demanding, stretching you, spreading you thin, and spiraling you toward burnout. Become the leader your vision requires – cultivate the clarity, discipline, and momentum you need to explore boldly and lead intentionally. Get a weekly nudge to think differently, lead intentionally, and keep exploring.
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