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!
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.
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.
Be exposed to exclusive insights from accomplished beauty pageant contestants who have mastered the art of goal-setting and achieving remarkable success.
In this captivating video, you will be exposed to exclusive insights from accomplished beauty pageant contestants who have mastered the art of goal-setting and achieving remarkable success.
Listen in as Miss Universe Trinidad & Tobago Dalise Lockhart and Miss New England Petite, Kimberly Campbell share their personal journeys, strategies, and invaluable wisdom on setting and reaching your aspirations.
Discover the secrets to turning dreams into reality
Overcoming obstacles
Staying motivated on your path to success.
Whether you’re striving for success in pageantry, your career, or life in general, these beauty queens’ experiences and expertise will provide you with practical tips and inspiration to help you unlock your full potential.
Don’t miss out on this empowering conversation with some of the most accomplished individuals in the world of beauty pageants. Share with your friends who are on their journey to achieving greatness. Get ready to ignite your passion, set ambitious goals, and embark on a journey to success. Lean in and listen and let’s begin this exciting adventure together!
Grab a Friend and Get ready to level up 2024 at the Goal Setting Retreat, where we’ll dive deep into setting & crushing your goals while enjoying fun.
Get ready to level up 2024 at the Goal Setting Retreat, where we’ll dive deep into setting & crushing your goals while enjoying fun.
2024 Goal Setting Retreat for Empowered Leadership
Buy One Bring a Friend 50 Percent offand join us for the 2024 Goal Setting Retreat for Empowered Leadership! This intimate small group in-person event will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, starting at 9:30 AM (EDT), at the lovely Hutchinson Island.
Are you a seasoned corporate Leader, professional, entrepreneur or desiring a change to take your career to the next level? This retreat is designed to empower and inspire you to set ambitious goals and achieve extraordinary results. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this event is for you!
OBJECTIVES include reflection & assessment; defining your vision; goal planning & strategy; overcoming challenges and staying motivated; tracking progress and adjusting.
During this retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experienced mentors, get clarity and valuable insights into effective goal setting strategies. Gain insights from shared personal experiences and get practical tips to help you unlock your full leadership potential.
Get ready for a day filled with interactive, engaging discussions, personal reflections, learning stories from the field, networking opportunities, and rejuvenating fun on Florida’s sun, sea,and sand. You’ll leave feeling motivated, energized, and equipped with the tools to create a clear roadmap for success.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to invest in your leadership journey. Reserve your spot today and get ready to set yourself up for a successful 2024!
Doubt increases with inaction. Clarity reveals itself in momentum. Growth comes from progress. For all these reasons, BEGIN.
Brendon Burchard
My niece is a celebrity makeup artist. She has done many. When they come to see her, they come just as they are–plain, messy, but ready to rock. Together they work on their goals. What’s the problem? What’s the occasion (wedding, birthday celebration, rebranding)? What’s the purpose (new business, product, new album, video)? They then work together to make their goals beautiful.
Same with the healing power. The sick goes to the doctor to be healed. They’re not well. They try home remedies and nothing works. But pretty soon they come to the realization that they need help.
Coaching is just like that. Come messy. Come stuck. come with your frustrations, your limitations, procrastinations. We work together to identify goals, explore possibilities, get clarity, strategize follow through and make dreams come through.
COACHING: THE CONTEXT
Coaching is one of the most powerful tools because it acts as a catalyst. Coaching gives our clients the right motivation to take actions that make them successful. As coaches we provide inspiration, motivation, and encouragement to help our clients attain their goals. We seek to discover and understand context and help clients define key areas of leadership development that will lead to transformational outcomes.
That’s what we do. Let’s connect. Come messy, leave happy.
Have you ever experienced coaching? What was the outcome? Do share, we would love to hear.
Change is the law of life.And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy
Thinking of a change in your career? LinkedIn is rated as the world’s largest professional network. You can use it to connect and strengthen professional relationships, find jobs, and more.
Chances are you already have a profile but when was the last time you looked at it? Hmmm…
Here are 6 tips to optimize your profile for leaders and professionals who wish to make a change so you can become more visible to Executives, headhunters and Recruiters.
1.Relevant Headline and Summary: Craft a headline that reflects your desire to transition into a new field and a summary that emphasizes your transferable skills and passion for the new industry.
2.Professional Photo: Update your profile picture to present a polished and adaptable appearance that aligns with your desired career change.
3. KeywordOptimization: Use keywords associated with the new field you’re targeting, showcasing your intention to pivot and ensuring your profile appears in relevant searches.
4. Experience Section: Highlight experiences, projects, or accomplishments that align with the skills required in your target industry, even if they were gained from previous roles.
5. Recommendations: Obtain recommendations from colleagues or supervisors who can speak to your adaptability, quick learning, and positive attitude.
6. ContentSharing: Share insightful content related to your intended field, showcasing your genuine interest and commitment to learning about the industry.
7. Networking: Connect with professionals in your desired field to expand your network and gain insights into the industry’s nuances and trends.
8. Training and Certifications: Highlight any relevant courses, workshops, or certifications you’ve completed to bolster your qualifications for the new career path.
9. Volunteer Work and Side Projects: Include any volunteer experiences or side projects that demonstrate your dedication to learning and contributing to the new field.
10. Custom URL: Personalize your LinkedIn profile URL and showcase your enthusiasm for the career change.
Remember, authenticity and consistency are key to building a compelling LinkedIn profile that accurately represents your goals and aspirations. Get going and update your profile now. Need help? Lets connect
Which tip stood out to you? Do share, we would love to hear.
One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
Abraham Maslow
Personal development is a broad field, and the “top” books can vary based on individual preferences and needs. However, here are 10 highly recommended books that cover a range of personal development topics.
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey This classic book focuses on principles for personal and interpersonal effectiveness, helping readers transform their lives through a holistic approach.
“Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins Tony Robbins offers strategies for taking control of your emotions, finances, relationships, and life in general, enabling you to achieve your goals and dreams.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear James Clear presents a practical guide to creating and maintaining positive habits, breaking bad ones, and ultimately mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
“Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown Brené Brown explores vulnerability, shame, and the importance of embracing imperfections as a means of fostering courage, connection, and authenticity.
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck Carol Dweck introduces the concept of “fixed” vs. “growth” mindsets and how adopting a growth mindset can lead to personal and professional success.
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill Napoleon Hill outlines the principles and mindset necessary for achieving financial success and personal fulfillment through positive thinking and strategic planning.
“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth Angela Duckworth explores the importance of passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals and personal success.
Ditch It Switch It by Dr Shelly Cameron is for those who are miserable, stuck, dissatisfied, afraid, stressed, longing for personal growth or those who have a passion for entrepreneurship. It will help readers prepare to take the plunge to get out of your comfort zone.
“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle Eckhart Tolle offers insights into the power of living in the present moment and escaping the tyranny of your thoughts, leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
“Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” by Daniel Goleman Daniel Goleman discusses the significance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing emotions.
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson Mark Manson challenges conventional self-help advice and encourages readers to embrace life’s challenges and uncertainties, focusing on what truly matters.
Remember that personal development is an ongoing journey, and these books can serve as valuable resources to help you gain new insights, develop healthy habits, and cultivate a positive mindset. It’s also a good idea to explore various books and authors to find those that resonate most with your unique goals and aspirations.
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
John Lennon
Alvin Foo in a LinkedIn post shared his view of the different stages of life. Here is his thought-provoking view. Is it a reality check or a paralysis digger? Hmm, read and decide.
Four Stages of Elimination in Life
At 60, the workplace eliminates you. No matter how successful or powerful you were during your career, you’ll return to being an ordinary person. So, don’t cling to the mindset and sense of superiority from your past job, let go of your ego, or you might lose your sense of ease!
At 70, society gradually eliminates you. The friends and colleagues you used to meet and socialize with become fewer, and hardly anyone recognizes you at your former workplace. Don’t say, “I used to be…” or “I was once…” because the younger generation won’t know you, and you mustn’t feel uncomfortable about it!
At 80, family slowly eliminates you. Even if you have many children and grandchildren, most of the time you’ll be living with your spouse or by yourself. When your children visit occasionally, it’s an expression of affection, so don’t blame them for coming less often, as they’re busy with their own lives!
At 90, the Earth wants to eliminate you. Some of the people you knew have already departed forever. At this point, don’t be sad or mournful, because this is the way of life, and everyone will eventually follow this path!
Therefore, while our bodies are still capable, live life to the fullest! Eat what you want, drink what you desire, play and do the things you love.
Remember, the only thing that won’t eliminate you is the your current families and friends. So, meet more, communicate more, say a hello, maintain your presence, be happy, and have no regrets!
Do you agree with his view of life? Did it put you in a state of melancholy, reflection or glee? Do share, we would love to hear.
Stress acts as an accelerator. It will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction.
Chelsea Eriean
Workplace stress can arise from various sources, and it affects employees across different industries and roles. Understanding the common causes of stress at work is crucial for both employees and employers to take appropriate measures to manage and mitigate its impact. Here are some key factors that contribute to work-related stress:
Excessive Workload: Overwhelming work demands, tight deadlines, and a constant flow of tasks can lead to stress as employees struggle to cope with the pressure to perform.
Lack of Control: When employees feel they have little control over their work, decision-making, or the outcomes of their efforts, it can lead to a sense of helplessness and increased stress.
Job Insecurity: Fear of job loss or instability due to economic conditions, restructuring, or organizational changes can create anxiety and stress among employees.
Long Working Hours: Extended work hours, lack of work-life balance, and overtime can leave employees feeling drained and overwhelmed, contributing to chronic stress.
Unclear Expectations: Ambiguous or constantly changing job roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations can create confusion and stress for employees.
Lack of Recognition: When employees’ efforts and achievements go unnoticed or unappreciated, it can lead to feelings of disengagement and stress.
Poor Working Relationships: Conflict with coworkers, difficult supervisors, or a negative work environment can significantly impact employees’ mental well-being.
Organizational Culture: Toxic workplace cultures that promote competition, lack of support, or an absence of work-life balance can foster stress among employees.
Career Advancement Pressures: The desire to progress in one’s career, coupled with intense competition, can lead to stress as employees strive to meet expectations.
Workplace Bullying or Harassment: Acts of bullying, discrimination, or harassment create a hostile work environment, triggering stress and anxiety in affected employees.
Lack of Resources: Insufficient tools, training, or support can hinder employees from effectively fulfilling their job responsibilities, leading to stress.
Workplace Change and Uncertainty: Frequent organizational changes, such as mergers, restructuring, or new management, can generate stress due to uncertainty and adjustment challenges.
Job Demands and Complexity: Highly demanding and intellectually challenging roles may lead to stress, especially when coupled with limited resources or support.
Physical Work Conditions: Uncomfortable or unsafe work environments can negatively impact employees’ mental and physical health, contributing to stress.
Personal Life Interference: When personal issues, such as family problems or health concerns, spill over into work, it can intensify stress levels.
Addressing these causes of workplace stress involves creating supportive work environments, implementing stress-reduction programs, promoting work-life balance, providing opportunities for coaching, skill development and growth, and fostering open communication between employees and management.
