GEARS Optimization

A Coaching Model By David Peterson, Optimization Coach, CANADA

What Is GEARS Optimization

Why Optimization Coaching?

The key behind every successful organization is purpose. Purpose in business, professional, and personal domains is achieved through effectiveness, and optimization is the journey.

Optimization coaching is a holistic approach to effectiveness across domains that need stewardship of purpose and value.

The purpose of food is to nourish your body and keep you alive. The purpose of a tool is to make it easier to build something. The purpose of a car is to transport you from one place to another.

There is a purpose for everything, and every human being and corporation seeks to fulfill their respective purpose. Our purpose gets refined as we grow and mature to our fullest potential.

Purpose gives us a reason to do something, an intention. It is the reason why something exists, is made, or happens. It is what motivates us to do something extraordinary from the ordinary. Purpose gives meaning or value to something; it is what makes something important to one person and not to another. The purpose is an intended aim, reason, intention, design, objective, or use.

Purpose demands effectiveness; the more effective you are, the more purpose-driven you become in business, communities, and personal domains. Purpose cannot be achieved by being efficient; it is achieved through the process of being effective.

Purpose cannot be achieved by being efficient; it is achieved through the process of being effective. David Peterson.

Where there is a purpose, there is value, a deeper reason for existence, and a subconscious drive to be a  person or organization of value. Sometimes others around us may be able to recognize our purpose, and it may be interesting to see what they think.

Value is a very subjective thing. A dollar to one person had more value than another. A diamond has value because it is rare and beautiful. A painting has value because of the emotions it elicits; value changes with time, place, and age. To a three-year-old, their favorite lollipop will be more valuable than a $1000 diamond.

Value is more than a customer’s willingness to pay for a product. It is not the same as “price” or what’s being paid for a product or service. Value is something intangible that is subject to purpose.

The more effective the purpose, the greater the potential to derive value.

Stewardship is almost a byproduct of purpose. When working towards achieving your purpose, you’re looking to build up to something and leave it better than you found it. You’re not doing it for yourself but for the greater good. When you’re ready for stewardship, you’re prepared to take on extra responsibilities and don’t mind the extra pressure it places on your life.

Stewardship deals with accountability and responsibility, while purpose is a concept that deals with achievement. The purpose is the primary factor that drives you to achieve something, while stewardship is the secondary force that causes you to stay accountable and responsible.

The GEARS Optimization Coaching Model

The approach to becoming effective is optimization. The GEARS optimization model is used as a framework to deliver value through purpose and stewardship.

GEARS

G – Goal
E – Effective
A – Actions
R – Responsibility
S – Stewardship

G – Goal

What is your goal?

A goal brings clarity to the process; it is the desired result that the process is designed to achieve. A goal is a dream with a deadline. A goal is a target you aim for. It is realistic and measurable, yet it is flexible enough to allow for changes in the situation. A goal is a picture of where you want to be and what you want to have when you get there. If you can picture it, you can achieve it.

E – Effective

What would make this goal effective?

Identifying what makes this goal effective is essential to understanding purpose and focus. Finding what makes the goal effective helps uncover purpose and motivation to work toward it. It enables you to identify things that are of value to your plan. When you are effective about what you want, you will not waste time on other areas.

A – Actions

What steps are needed to achieve this and why?

Creating an action plan requires steps, and the why ensures correlation and alignment to the goal. When your actions match your values, you’re on the right track. You’re building alignment with what’s essential, ensuring your success. Actions bring about change that facilitates growth and puts you on a path that leads to happiness from fulfilling your goals. Your actions can change what you get out of life, and accomplishment results are a great motivator.

R – Responsibility

What is your area of responsibility?

Understanding your area of responsibility provides insight into what you can do and what you need support for; this aids in creating realistic timelines, support models, and effective partnerships to achieve the desired outcome. You better understand what’s in your control and the areas outside your control, allowing you to limit the stress, feel less overwhelmed and have the power to accomplish things that you otherwise would not.

S – Stewardship

What are the benefits of stewarding this?

Identifying the benefits facilitates support and buy-in with partners, team leadership, and the community. Stewardship is all about responsibilities; without responsibility, there is no growth! In life, we have responsibilities and things to take care of. A good steward takes care of everything that has been entrusted to them. They understand they have to take care of everything in the best way possible. It’s about understanding how your choices can contribute to and grow the world around you.

The Gears optimization model takes the client through the optimization journey to explore the goal, identify what’s effective to ensure purpose and focus, create action steps, identify remedies and steward the change by becoming a person of purpose.