Category: Business & Life Coach

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Gauging Progress & Achievement For Success on Priority Goals

As we close out 2nd quarter marking the midway point of the year, make time for some high leverage activity by reviewing the vision & mission of your priority goals.   It’s an opportunity to engage & strengthen commitment to your priority goal pursuits.  And – to adjust  key objectives, initiatives and projects assure continued alignment driving the overarching vision and desired year-end results.

If you haven’t created clear benchmarks with a ‘scoreboard’ for key projects & initiatives, how will you assess & chart progress indicators for priority goal achievement? Metrics are the benchmarks of success to keep you and your team engaged to sustain motivation for taking current success to the next level . These metrics can be indicators for revenue growth, satisfaction level or any other designated priority factors.   They can also serve as tools to plan & prepare or circumvent potential issues, challenges & obstacles that may arise. When your trajectory is off, take pause to create adjustments.  When you’re on course, they reinforce what is working well to remain aligned with intended targets.

Reaching benchmarks creates traction to fuel an upward spiral of positive performance and momentum to goals for anchoring commitment to keep striving forward.

Four steps to keep you steadfast for reaching higher levels of success:

  1. Commit to no more than top three goals, in order of priority for each quarter. These are the goals that really matter & would make all the difference for you and your organization.
  2. Plan and schedule the metrics and benchmarks for key initiatives and objectives leading to achievement of each designated goal.
  3. Invest and dedicate resource of time, energy with unwavering focus as you work on each step of each initiative to completion.
  4. Make time to evaluate, assess, and adjust for effectiveness.

 

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Anchor Priorities To Improve Focus & Productivity

Identifying and clearly knowing our priorities is of benefit on many levels. First, clear priorities lead to better self-knowledge forming the bedrock of a more satisfying life.  In addition, our priorities become a powerful guiding force serving as our internal compass. Priority focus reduces overwhelm by keeping us anchored to what matters most, and minimizes squandering valuable resources to the non-essential.

Formulating priorities supported with specific goals clarifies our bigger vision, and orients us in the right direction. When our focus is guided from deeply held values, it infuses our motivation, energy and effort with the conviction of our mission.   That mission is the heart of why we pursue what we want to create or achieve. With sustained focus homed-in on priorities our performance and productivity becomes more targeted for progressing on our success milestones. The countless daily decisions and choices become aimed to support rather than all allow the non-essential to subvert achievement on our identified priorities.

Priority focus will nevertheless be routinely challenged with the inevitable internal and external intrusion and distraction sources. With sustained focus, you will gain the benefit of actually boosting your wellbeing and brainpower, creating flexibility to more quickly shift back to what is important,  to accomplish more of what matters most.

Try these four effective tips to manage & mitigate the potential lure and timing of distractions:

  1. Set specific times to check incoming messages and e-mails. Turn off the tempting distraction of notifications (yes, including all social media).
  2. Identify your top three priorities to anchor the day’s workflow. Attach a starting and projected finish time.  Begin on the #1 key task until it is done, before tackling the next item or anything else.
  3. Keep a ‘to-do tracker/reminder’ using a notepad on your desk or an app on your PC, to jot down and release any distractions of thoughts, ideas, people or obligations non-related to what you’re working on, that pop up.  Writing them down keeps them from running around in your head, so you can maintain focus on the task at hand.
  4. Take breaks at regular intervals. Research studies have proven that standing up, stretching or walking around for a few minutes, rehydrating or having a healthy snack refreshes and improves productivity. Repeat every 60-90 minutes.

Developing any new habit requires consistency & perseverance. The more you incorporate & sustain priority focus, the easier it will become part of your routine, for more productivity and progress toward your highest priority goals.

 

 

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A Shift In Focus For A World Of Difference

This time of year seems to trigger the crazy in most of us – for reasons we know all too well, along with the auto triggers – engaging our less than stellar reactions.

What IF we can just press pause to reframe what we’re doing, to rethink  all the “Need to, got to, absolutely must do… urgency” lists we carry on our phones, on paper and in our head. Ask yourself – are they really worth the stress you’re feeling – and the way you will show up, on edge and completely depleted?

What IF the goal is to reframe the countdown between holiday time and year-end, and to simply focus on being present, as you create timeless moments that really matter of bonding for positively memorable times throughout this holiday season? What if the goal is more about making memories you’d want to hold onto, and replay as a source of heartwarming joy and peace all year long? How about that for a soulful breeze to envelope and fill your memory bank with for year-round glad tidings of joy and peace!!

Doing anything else may create the perfect impression from the outside looking in,  but exacts a toll too high for you and those dear to you.

Wishing you a meaningfully warm, fun, and festive holiday season.

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Productivity: Laser Focus VS. The Multitasking Myth

Ascent To SuccessThe foundation for achieving success is in aligning how you spend your time on the daily choices that either support or subvert your dedicated focus on your highest priorities. Research has shown that multitasking is not the best choice for progress on your desired goals.   Here are four productivity tips to help you overcome that distraction based fallacy of multitasking, so you can actually accomplish more, while boosting your brainpower and wellbeing with greater focus on those priorities.

  1. Set specific times to check incoming e-mail, and turn off the tempting distraction of notifications (yes, including all social media).
  2. Identify your 3 top priorities to anchor the day’s work flow. Include a starting and projected finish time.  Begin on the #1 key task until it is done, before tackling the next item or anything else.
  3. Keep a ‘to-do tracker/reminder’ in way of notepad on your desk or an app on your pc to jot down and release any distractions from non-related thoughts, ideas or obligations that pop up.  Writing them down keeps them from running around in your head, so you can maintain focus on the task at hand.
  4. Take breaks at regular intervals. Research studies have proven that getting up, stretching or walking around for a few minutes, rehydrating or having a healthy snack refreshes and improves productivity. Repeat every 60-90 minutes.

Like any new habit, the more you incorporate ways to sustain focus as part of your routine, the easier it will become, to be more productive, progressing toward your highest priority goals, with much less effort.

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What’s Your Energy Spending Style?

IMG_8597We all operate on energy.  Awareness of how and where we invest or squander it can help us harness and direct it for better returns.  Our personal ‘energy pie’ is finite which means each interaction taxes and uses chunks of that pie. Developing awareness by consciously appropriating energy, time and focus, helps us invest rather than deplete those resources for a higher ROI.

How are you using your personal energy? Do you regularly invest it into what you want develop and grow in your life – or are you squandering that precious energy aimlessly on non-fulfilling, short-term, dead-end, inconsequential pursuits?

In choosing the later, you are operating out of fear. Fear will drive and keep you busy and safe. That’s its primary function. It will mislead and keep you so busy doing anything and everything other than taking the risks that help you grow by stepping out of your comfort zone. But that’s exactly what growth requires, not only to achieve your dreams and vision of a bigger, more self-actualized life, but to simply experience surges exhilaration and vitality, in pursuit of your goals for growth and success.

Investing your energy by way of time and focus, infuses purpose and meaning to life and compounds priceless returns in terms of success for confidence building, growth, satisfaction, netting quality of life experiences.

Remember, you build and grow whatever you put energy on!  So – where will you direct your energy and attention? What success will you navigate towards to manifest those big, important goals for your defined success in life?

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The Critic Within Our Control

RelationshipsThe most damaging of pranks is the unquestioned relationship with the harshest of critics,  in the form of our inner judge, whose attacks are incessant, with confidence-depleting chatter, duping us into believing what it says.  The good new is that changing the dynamic of this abrasive relationship, for a more supportive one is within our control.

The first step is to simply acknowledge and express appreciation to that internal judge’s intention.   The intent is to keep us safe by maintaining the status quo, within a small world full of limitations.  

Step two is to declare change by ‘doing life differently’, effective immediately. Tune-out the deafening noise, and fearful interference.   Challenge each negative by intensifying the positives and benefits of the new way.   Clear thinking allows us to more aptly respond, as new opportunities for change and growth present themselves.

Finally, with practice, the volume of that inner critic, will keep sliding way down to an occasional whisper, rather than the constant, blaring companion it used to be.  Fine-tuning to a better-calibrated frequency, delivers a relationship upgrade, for increased confidence in the rich fullness of life along paths, roads, and highways yet taken.  Happy first of April and everyday, with a relationship upgrade!

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Do Your Goals Reflect Your Song?

“If only the best songbirds sang, the forest would be a very quiet place.”

SingI don’t recall who proclaimed this, but it is so true! In nature birds just do their ‘thing’ and sing. They don’t wait to master the right notes, for the perfect circumstances, nor do they worry about how they will be perceived or judged.

So go ahead – follow the pointers from mother nature, pursue your the goals that make your heart sing.

It’s your song, give IT voice and wings. Can you feel your spirit soar?

 

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Calibrate Your Life Compass


SUCCESS

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao-Tzu  

Charting the course to your goals is more than just reaching the destination to your desired success.  When your key values are reflected in your goals, they serve as you intrinsic compass for navigating to what is important to you.   Those values become the directional set points of your life compass, as you grow & progress to your priority goals.   Values inspire and serve as signposts for deeper engagement & commitment to your priority goals,  guiding you with the meaningful purpose in achievement.

Living your values in the pursuit of  important  goals will orient you to the person you want to become, to stretch into actualizing your greatest potential!

Where will your value calibrated Life Compass take  you?

 

 

 

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Fueling On Change With Positive Energy

Change

In life, there is one thing that is certain, change is a constant and something is always changing. With the official arrival of summer, we are reminded that seasonal changes and cycles are constant and inevitable. These cycles relate to the rotation of the earth; monthly cycles to the moon; annual cycles to the relative position of the sun and stars. In our own life, we may need to be reminded of our own personal changes and cycles in relation to our environment, relationships, and season in life. Our perception and response to change is often more important than the actual change itself.

While changes in nature revolve around energy cycles, our own energy cycles expand and contract based on our intentions and focus. Awareness opens doorways for choosing. High positive energy is accessed and maintained through a positively framing our perceptions to seek and find opportunity in most occurrences. Keep in mind that we don’t objectively see the world as it is, but through the overlays of all the experiences of who we are and what holds deep meaning for us, i.e. our core values. This becomes even more crucial when faced with major decisions and choices and to align them with those values for they mirror who you are and what you stand for. They serve as a ballast and rudder when navigating through stormy times.

Next time you’re tempted to home in on some negative aspects of change in a relationship, situation or project, try mentally and emotionally shifting your thoughts to a more positive state that better correlates with your core values. You’ll feel a natural energy change in cognitive, emotional and behavioral attitude improving your mind-set and amplifying your performance in whatever you’re doing. Do it often and regularly to create a powerfully positive change in your personal and professional life.

To your happiness and fulfillment in success!

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Our Best Memories

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Our best memories are not made on a cell phone, pc or tackling an endless to-do list.

Our best memories are made in face to face moments. Doing what we enjoy, taking time to be with the people we enjoy. It’s about a deliberate pause to decide who and what brings you joy, then making the time to be there!

Here’s to making memorable moments this weekend!

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Show & Tell the Unwelcome Guest the Door?!

Marvin K MooneyPolitely of course,  à la Dr. Seuss!

It is beyond mid-April, yet this Winter unrelentingly hangs around, and has long outworn its welcome!  A continuing, tenacious wintry scene, brings one of my favorite Dr. Seuss book title to mind:  Marvin K. Mooney, Will You PLEASE GO NOW!   “I don’t care how you go, JUST GO! NOW!”

Poetic license declared and granted by inserting the chosen name of someone, or something that has imposed a presence way beyond comfort.   Keep repeating, as in this case, “Snowy F. Winter, I don’t care how you go, PLEASE JUST GO!! NOW!!!”

Could it be that easy?!! At least in our mind as we put out the welcome mat for the eventual, hopeful arrival of our next guest, Ms. Spring.

 

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The Cruelest of Pranks?

april-fools-dayThe cruelest April Fool’s prank is the one our inner critic dupes up into believing.  To create a new relationship with self and life, simply thank it for attempting to help by keeping you small, and then dismiss it!  Repeat enough times to reduce the inner critic to an occasional annoyance rather than an overshadowing presence.  Then go step into the fullness of all that life has in store for you.  Happy first of April and everyday !

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Practice as a High Yield Investment

TR 015To become your personal and professional best, i.e., being the best you possible, at what you pursue, is the ultimate success!   For most people, it doesn’t happen magically.  It takes time and practice.

The presenting scientist at lecture I recently attended declared that research quantified that it takes 1000 hours to master a new skill.   That seems like a lot of hours. The distinction between focused time invested vs. time idly spent is huge.  That’s the value of hours dedicated to learning what you deem important.  The idea that practice time in learning a new language, meditating, or handling a ball, is an investment of confidence towards who you are becoming and what you want to accomplish, leads to a sense of fulfillment.

Practice, and learning from each ‘failure’ increases your odds for successful achievement.  We would never have professional jugglers if they gave up with the first few times  they dropped the baton, ball, or whatever they now specialize in juggling.  So before you give up on the idea of learning a new skill for personal or professional development, first determine how much time you are actually willing to bank towards working on whatever goals you elect to pursue, and do it with focus and consistency!

Time invested in pursuit of your goals, is the science of great return, as well the process of growth and success to become your best!

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Fanatic Friday Motivation

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Getting fanatic about unfinished business on a Friday can be a major motivator for smooth sailing into the following week.  There’s huge satisfaction in completing and checking off tasks on the week’s unfinished business list.  It’s like clearing out some breathing room on the road to working on your goals and just a bigger allowance of time without the burden of added weight, perpetually awaiting your attention.

Here’s a simple three-step approach.  First, gather all that remains to be done on a list starting with the most challenging.  Next, itemize all you’ll need for taking care of the top, most dreaded item.  Then, get fierce about tackling it like an athlete going through a set of hurdles.  Everything else should be easier in comparison, putting you on a momentum roll.

With all those incompletions out of the way, you can relax into the weekend, knowing Monday will begin as a fresh new week without a stack of daunting leftovers!

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What is Finale Friday?

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It’s your big push today for high productivity by leveraging your actions to achieve maximum results in record time.  First month of the year, last day of the month is an opportunity to position yourself for finishing big AND starting next month poised for takeoff.

Whatever achievements you racked up so far, keeping the momentum going is pivotal since you’re setting the success foundation of your goal commitments, during the crucial first months of the year.

Four steps to creating end of the month success

  1. Identify top 3 high ROI actions to take
  2. Line them up for tackling according to impact and results when completed
  3. Dedicate time with unwavering focus as you work on each step till DONE
  4. Repeat the process on next one and follow through to completion

Finishing one or two high impact actions is a success coup.   Whatever actions remain to be completed can then be scheduled for priority rank in the upcoming month.  Next, plan and schedule all additional initiatives and objectives as well.

Finally, plan to celebrate your efforts and progress.  To your Success!