Try these and more and make someone feel special this holiday season
Let’s face it, things happen. Sometimes we falter and find it difficult to do things that are not necessarily costly but nice to do. This may happen when we lose a job or loved one that was the sole breadwinner. It may also happen when we focus on reaching a set goal and the financial means defy us.
Here are 6 ways that you can still bring joy during the holidays:
6 Meaningful Holiday Gifts
DIY Crafts or Homemade Treats: Create handmade crafts, artwork, or bake homemade treats that reflect your thoughtfulness and effort.
Acts of Service: Offer your time and help with tasks like babysitting, organizing, or providing tech support—whatever would be genuinely useful.
Shared Experiences: Plan a day trip, picnic, or a movie night at home. Spending quality time together can be priceless.
Memory Collages or Photo Albums: Compile cherished memories into a photo album or collage, reminiscing about good times shared.
Offering Skills or Lessons: Teach a skill you excel at—whether it’s cooking, playing an instrument, writing, or a particular hobby.
Letters or Poems: Write heartfelt letters or poems expressing your gratitude and love for them.
Try these and more and make someone feel special this holiday season and throughout the year. Remember, the most meaningful gifts are those that come from the thought and effort put into them and not from their monetary value.
Now it Your Turn
Are there any thoughtful gifts missing from the list? Do share. We would love to hear!
Choosing any of these coaching programs will make a fantastic gift this holiday season and throughout the year. It’s the gift of personal Growth that lasts.
Janet was elated when she was promoted for her exceptional skills and expertise in performing her job. Within a few weeks she called expressing her frustration as she felt like an imposter. She was finding it difficult to handle the challenges of her new role.
Challenges and Problems New Supervisors Face
Here are some common problems and challenges new supervisors often face:
Lack Authority -Promoted but struggle to influence former peers.
Ineffective Delegation – New supervisors may want to prove themselves by doing it all without delegating. End up micromanaging or miss opportunities to empower their team.
Poor Time Management – Often end up buried in daily tasks compromising productivity.
Mishandling Performance – avoid difficult conversation or acting too aggressively to assert authority.
Poor Communication skills -Giving direction or feedback is unclear, not listening or making assumptions.
Maintaining friendships – Boundaries blur as new supervisors must now manage former co-workers who were friends.
Lack of leadership training – often promoted without receiving adequate training.
Unrealistic expectations – new supervisors may feel they know everything already or may want to quick-fix long standing issues quickly.
Imposter syndrome – doubt their abilities, lack confidence, or feel underqualified.
Stress and work/life balance – they become overwhelmed by the pressures of the responsibilities of the new role.
Go it Alone – Does not seek help from a coach who can help them navigate the new role.
With proper mentoring, training, and experience over time, these common pitfalls can be overcome. Patience, self-awareness, and a learning mindset are key for successfully transitioning to supervisor.
Connect with a leadership coach who will help you confidentially maneuver the challenges of your new role.
Questions or need to add any missing challenge? Do share, we would be glad to hear.
Give the gift of insight, inspiration, and growth this holiday season! Delve into the world of leadership, self-discovery, inspiration and professional development with these curated books. Perfect for friends, family, or colleagues seeking to elevate their leadership skills and embark on a transformative journey. Click the Gift Guide, choose a book that sparks growth and ignites the potential within your loved ones this festive season!
Each Book link takes you directly to Amazon where you can buy, beautifully gift wrap and place under your well-lit sparkling Christmas tree. Voila! They’re thrilled!
Hope this guide has inspired your gift giving. E-books are perfect for last minute book shoppers. Grab copies for the perfect New Year’s gift. Oh, don’t forget to get a copy of my just released book RedLight: When God Says No which completes the GreenLight trilogy.
Being in a job you dislike during the holidays can amp up feelings of discontent and stress. Here are some common emotions individuals like yourself might experience:
Increased Stress: The holiday season, which is supposed to be joyful, might instead feel overwhelming due to the added pressure of work dissatisfaction.
Isolation and Loneliness: Feeling disconnected or alienated from colleagues who seem to enjoy their work or take time off can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
Increased Disengagement: Lack of interest in work can escalate, making it challenging to focus or contribute positively.
Heightened Frustration: The contrast between the festive spirit around and the negative feelings about work can lead to increased frustration.
Impact on Mental Health: Prolonged dissatisfaction at work during the holidays might affect mental well-being, leading to anxiety or depression.
Strained Relationships: The stress and dissatisfaction from work can spill over into personal relationships, impacting interactions at home or with loved ones during the holidays.
Sense of Hopelessness: Feeling stuck in a job you dislike might increase the sense of being trapped or unable to change your situation.
These feelings can make it especially challenging to enjoy the holiday season and can have a significant impact on the overall well-being of individuals like yourself.
If you’re in a job you hate that’s causing you to experience any of the emotions above, don’t do it alone. As a leadership coach with decades of experience, let’s connect to discuss your next steps.
I chose me and I felt guilty. Hmm, has that ever happened to you? I chose the best option for me given the situation, yet I felt so guilty. I’m a giver. Everybody knows that. I give of my time and energy to others, most often sacrificially. I had two obligations simultaneously while making funeral plans for a close relative. Balancing all three events was hard. Funeral arrangements take you on an emotional roller coaster. Just imagine the ride.
After much thought and careful consideration, I chose the conference that would contribute to my own personal growth and development. It solidified by decision to try new things. Yet I felt guilty about the one I omitted which would have benefited others and not me.
Has that ever happened to you? The art of self-care is important. It forges balance and one that’s definitely needed especially during busy times. Here are 9 ways to help you take care of you combined with these those listed:
Stand up for yourself
Don’t respond to a call/email (that will stress you) until you’re ready
Not perfect but still doing it. Dr. Charles Stanley said it.
Pastor Steven furtick said it about being in his youth and starting a new church with his wife.
Reggae Music Miss Pat Chin said it too. She said when she started entrepreneurship she didn’t know what she was doing. Young. Niaive but she tried big things not realizing they were too big for a new entrepreneur.
Guess what? It worked! Because she didn’t know. She tried, did it and yep success!
Dr Suess’s idea was different. Novel. Untried by others so his manuscript was rejected by many publishers. Then he met a friend who had just received a promotion to of all things… a publisher! The right place. The right time. The dots connected. Today Dr Seuss is a household name worldwide.
So don’t be afraid to try new crazy things! Things untried by others …because … it just might work.
The holidays aren’t just for celebrations; they’re a golden opportunity to unwrap your career’s potential! -✨
Join us for the ‘Navigating Your Career Transition During the Holidays’ seminar, where you’ll discover how to embark on your career journey with renewed energy and clarity. Don’t wait for the new year—start building your dream career now.
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Abraham Lincoln
A colleague shared her exhaustion with what she termed as her habitual procrastination. She was tired of incomplete tasks in her life and asked for help.
Avoiding procrastination is essential for leaders and professionals to maintain productivity and achieve goals. Here are 9+ key points shared to help overcome this practice.
1.Self-Awareness
Recognize your procrastination habits and understand the underlying causes. Self-awareness is the first step to change.
2.Prioritization
Prioritizing tasks is essential. Leaders should focus on high-impact, high-priority activities first.
3.Set Clear Goals
Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Having clear objectives provides motivation and direction.
4.Time Management
Use effective time management techniques, such as time blocking, to help you allocate your time efficiently.
5. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Practice breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This makes tasks less daunting and more achievable.
6.Delegation
Trust more. Delegate tasks to capable team members when possible. Delegation frees up time for strategic thinking and higher-priority activities.
7. Overcoming Perfectionism
Are you a perfectionist? Often this tendency fuels procrastination through delaying completing projects until they are perfect. Focus on progress, not perfection.
8. Accountability
Set up an accountability system, such as working with a mentor, coach, or a peer who can hold you responsible for deadlines and commitments.
9. Eliminate Distractions
Identify strategies to minimize distractions, whether it’s turning off notifications, setting specific work hours, or creating a clutter-free workspace.
10. Self-Motivation
Identify your intrinsic motivation. What drives them to succeed? Connecting with their personal “why” can provide the push you need.
11. Time for Self-Care
Practice taking regular breaks and prioritize self-care. A well-rested and healthy leader is less likely to procrastinate.
12. Mindfulness and Focus
Adopt mindfulness practices and techniques that can improve focus and attention, reducing the temptation to procrastinate.
13. Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Confidence can help combat procrastination.
14. Celebrate Achievements
Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can reinforce productivity.
15. Continuous Improvement
Focus on the concept of continuous improvement. As a Leader, it is important to regularly assess your time management and productivity strategies and adjust as needed.
16. Seek Professional Support
If procrastination is chronic and significantly hinders your leadership effectiveness, seek support from a therapist or counselor who specializes in procrastination or time management issues.
As a certified Master leadership coach, I provide support, guidance, and accountability to leaders to help them work to overcome procrastination. Implementing the strategies articulated here and developing healthy habits will lead to more effective and efficient leadership.
Want to succeed in the new year? Set goals! It’s a big deal because setting goals can help you get where you want to be. The 10 steps that follow make it super simple for you. Whether you’re a leader, professional or just someone who wants to grow, these steps will guide you through the strategies to set goals that really work. The aim is to help you stay motivated and focused on your path to success.
Define the Objective: What is the specific area or aspect of life where you want to set a goal? What is the purpose of this goal?
Step 2: SMART Goals
Specific: Make the goal specific, avoiding vague language. What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Measurable: Ensure the goal can be quantified in some way. How will you measure your progress and know when you’ve achieved it?
Achievable: Assess whether the goal is realistic and attainable. Is it within your reach, given your current resources and constraints?
Relevant: Does the goal align with your values, long-term objectives, and the bigger picture of your life. Is it meaningful?
Time-Bound: Set a clear timeframe or deadline for achieving the goal. When will you complete it?
Step 3: Break It Down
Break It Into Smaller Steps: Divide the larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. What steps need to be taken to reach the goal?
Step 4: Prioritize
Prioritize Tasks: Determine the order of importance for each task. Which steps should be tackled first, and which can follow?
Step 5: Visualize Success
Create a Mental Image: Ask the individual to visualize themselves successfully achieving the goal. How will it feel? What will it look like?
Step 6: Identify Obstacles
Recognize Challenges: Reflect on potential obstacles, difficulties, or setbacks you may encounter on your journey to the goal. How can you prepare to overcome these challenges?
Step 7: Develop a Plan
Create an Action Plan: Outline the tasks, deadlines, and resources required to achieve the goal. What specific actions will you take?
Step 8: Monitor and Adjust
Regular Review: Emphasize the importance of monitoring progress regularly. How are you doing in relation to the goal? Are you on track?
Adjust and Adapt: Be flexible in adapting the plan as needed. If you encounter unexpected obstacles or need to change your approach, how will you do so?
Step 9: Accountability
Accountability Partners: Have an accountability partner, such as a coach, mentor, or friend, who can provide support and hold you responsible for your commitments.
Step 10: Celebrate Success
Acknowledge Achievements: When you reach your goal, celebrate the achievement. Do some self-reflection and recognition of your progress.
By following this step-by-step process, you can set and achieve goals that align with your values and aspirations.
Need an accountability partner to help you set your goals and stay on track? Let’s connect
A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.
John Wooden
She ran to the restroom and screamed. Sabrina had a job to do, and her manager knew she could do it well, but she kept questioning her over the past six months. As the year-end drew near, the project was near due. But the constant checking in was more of a time waster than productive. Sabrina became frustrated. How could she tell her manager to allow her to focus?
Coaching employees on career development without resorting to micromanagement requires a delicate balance of support, guidance, and autonomy. As a leadership coach, I recommend employing a coaching approach that fosters individual growth and self-driven progress is important. Here’s a brief summary of 10 tips on how to approach this:
Establish Trusting Relationships: The foundation of effective coaching is trust. Build strong, open, and honest relationships with employees, creating a safe space for them to share their career aspirations, concerns, and challenges.
Active Listening: Actively listen to employees, understand their goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. By attentively hearing their needs, supervisors can tailor coaching discussions to their unique career paths.
Goal Setting: Together with employees, collaboratively set clear, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. This ensures that their career objectives are well-defined and realistic.
Empower and Encourage: Instead of micromanaging, empower employees to take ownership of their career development. Encourage them to seek out opportunities, challenge themselves, and take initiative in their professional growth.
Provide Resources: Offer guidance on available resources, such as training programs, workshops, or mentorship opportunities, that can aid employees in acquiring new skills and knowledge aligned with their career goals.
Feedback and Reflection: Promote a culture of continuous feedback and reflection. By offering constructive feedback and encouraging employees to assess their progress, they become more self-aware and adaptable.
Accountability: Employees are encouraged to hold themselves accountable for their career development. As a leadership coach, it is recommended that supervisors help employees establish milestones and regularly check in on their progress without micromanaging their day-to-day tasks.
Supportive Coaching: Through regular coaching sessions, provide a supportive framework where employees can discuss challenges, seek guidance, and refine their strategies for career advancement.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognizing and celebrating milestones and achievements is crucial for motivation. Acknowledge employees’ accomplishments, reinforcing their sense of progress and satisfaction.
Adaptability: Recognize that career paths may evolve, be flexible and adapt coaching strategies to align with changing goals and circumstances.
By coaching employees in this manner, we can empower them to take control of their career development journey. It fosters a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement while avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement. Ultimately, the goal is to help individuals thrive and achieve their career aspirations in a supportive and non-intrusive manner.
