Category: Success

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Shift Into A Strategic Mindset For A Stellar 2024

If you have yet to plan, prepare, & create structure for this new year – now is a perfect time to get your strategic mindset on making this an outstanding year.
January is the ‘fresh start’ time to review & renew our aspirations with top goals for the year.  What are your key goals for the year & what metrics will you use to chart progress?

Yes we all face the daily life whirlwind with obligations demanding attention and at times the challenges of unexpected dramas & circumstances that yank us away from our accomplishment goals.  When achieved, priority goals deliver a  signifiant quality of life difference.

Here are several strategy tips to remain on target:

Plan & structure your schedule with dedicated time blocks for laser focus on top priorities.  Make that time sacrosanct – for working however long is possible on one of the key goals.

Focus on the important & manage the urgent.   Avoid the rabbit holes & shiny objects that unwittingly turn into time & energy deficits.

New beginnings deliver a clean lens to view potential new opportunities for forward focus towards progress & growth on the goals of significance that matter most!

#GoalsForSuccess
#InspiredLeadership
#Mindset #Wisdom
#YourLifeCompassExecutiveCoach
#CalibrateForSuccess
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Pause, Assess & Measure Progress 

“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”  C. S. LEWIS

To begin a new year with setting priority goals is important. Creating a structure to review & assess at various points throughout the year can prove even more crucial. 

We’re just past the mid-year point of 2023.  Good time to pause & assess.  What have you given up on already or find yourself fiercely sticking to without evident merit? Pause & mentally dust yourself off to rethink your strategy or process.  What aspects need to change to head toward a better path? 

“If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.”  Lao Tzu

It all begins within our mindset; reflecting, correcting & perhaps shifting what felt solid at the start of the year.  Expectations for the goals set, the direction to get there, & the timeline for achievement.   

To be able to reflect on what’s been achieved thus far, progress made, helps to determine what’s working & what isn’t.  Will the current direction prove effective? OR is now a good point in time to recalibrate? Time to enlist the help of an objective trusted friend, colleague or professional for input & coaching to chart the best path forward.  What variable would have the greatest impact for progression to make the most with the remainder of this year. 

Your Life Compass Coaching and Consulting

 

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The Benefits Of Developing A Priority Focused Mindset

“Ultimately, each person chooses whether he comes out of the tumbler crushed or polished.” Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

We all find ourselves in overwhelm or the paralysis of feeling stuck at some point. The saving lifeline is in having clarity with focus on our priorities.  Determining what is most important is foundational.  A priority focused mindset anchors that & becomes as a ballast to what matters most to us!  A priority focused mindset help in homing in on the important goals & the strategic steps to propel us forward beyond overwhelm or paralysis. Having meaningful goals generates intrinsic motivation.  Priority goals require the support of solid plans & structures helping to sustain our focus.  Making the important central in our schedules help us honor the decisions made to achieve them, anchoring our commitments, guiding us beyond the demands, whirlwind and overwhelm from everything else going on in life.

Success in life, whether abundant or lacking, tends to correlate with the consistency of of our choices and decisions. The ones many we make, the ones we avoid, and the ones we are ignorant about. Life is indeed full of them. Our personal and professional growth & success balances on our grasp of our identified priorities & the level of confidence we have regarding how and where we habitually choose to focus our attention with the actions we take.

A priority focused mindset serves as a compass for executing on these priority goals.  It is a guiding system & an inherent process for transcending obstacles, challenges, and circumstances.  It provides a forward focus for planning, anticipating, perceiving & responding differently when the disruptions of change or the unexpected happen.  That mindset is shaped with internal motivation, to keep progressing towards the goals that matter most for progressive growth into our realm of power and confidence to succeed.  Especially when the inevitable challenges, obstacles or adversity materialize.

The journey towards our best self is in how we manage the challenges & obstacles.  We actualize our potential through experience, using all our skills, talents, and capabilities to keep stretching into our progressive best.  A priority focused mindset is formed with continual and deep engagement with the belief in our vision & our potential best self to regularly propel us through the short & long distance, focused forward towards what matters most.

“Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one’s origins and one’s final achievement…”           Michael Korda

 

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Spring Forward Towards Your Priority Goals


“You are successful the moment you start moving towards a worthwhile goal.” Charles Carlson

Spring is the season of new beginnings and growth, and one we look forward to.  If you are still looking for a reason to begin implementing on meaningful and profoundly important goals – then this season is an opportune time.  Those are the goals that will significantly improve quality of life.   That first step tends to be the hardest,  but the alternative of not taking the first step and delaying, means remaining in the same place.  To find comfort in the discomfort of being stuck.  A rocket ship launch takes tremendous effort and energy, but it also generates the momentum for the journey.  While, none of us are launching rocket ships, we can take charge and begin to take that first action step, however small, to create our own momentum.

To begin is to propel ourselves beyond any self-imposed limitations.  If we don’t, then the barriers that life and the world inevitably imposes on us – will mount and feel exponentially  insurmountable.

Imagine achieving your important, meaningful goals.  Can you clearly envision and articulate your priority goals?  The goals that will create a positive impact not only in your life, but will make a difference for others in the process.  Those are the goals that matter enough to overcome the inertia of the status quo & begin taking the first of any steps needed to achieve them.

Take a page from nature’s playbook this season, and moving forward towards your worthwhile goals.

Your Life Compass Coaching | Success Calibration System™

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I Have A Dream…

“I have a dream…” Martin Luther King Jr turned vision & dream into a goal, turning resolve into a revolution beyond what the status quo was in our country.  He demonstrated patience with the understanding that big changes are never an overnight achievement.  His enduring legacy empowers & motivate us to keep striving & working on what matters.  As we pay tribute to his lifetime of dedication for what he started  – we also recognize that much yet remains needing to be changed.

Taking that inspiration to a personal level, our own dream begins with a vision. When that dream is formulated into a goal it can progresses in real life, with metrics and benchmark targets to keep us moving forward, orienting us in the right direction toward that vision.

‘Soaring from our vision into real life’

Goals are powerful motivators when they reflect the power of our values, deep convictions, and desires.  Our activities become choices that transform us, the way we live and impact the communities that shape our world and beyond.  Life goals help us improve specific aspects about ourselves, as well as specific areas in our personal and/or professional life. The pursuit of our goals helps us score internal points, building confidence and self-trust.  Goals are about following through on objectives, tasks and the specifics we identified that need to be done to bridge the gap from where we stand in the present, to a future where our aspirations materialize.

Effective goals keep us stretching and reaching towards the vision of not only what we seek, but more importantly the why we want our life to move in a particular direction. We each have a dream waiting to be fulfilled and when put into action that cherished dream can be the catalyst for the change we seek.  To invest our creative energy, and resources, fueled with passion and the tenacity of deep commitment, in pursuit of our dreams for meaningful success.  That collectively creates a cascade of positive change not only in our world, but in the world at large.

Have you identified what and why you are committed to achieve daily, each month, every quarter, and the remainder of this year? To develop and set goals with strategies & a process to implement them infuses vitality in your daily routine for momentum launching this brand new year and seeing it through to culmination of unparalleled achievement and success in everything that matters most!

As always, to your meaningful success!

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Taming Your Dragons 101

dragon

“If you lack the iron and the fizz to take control of your own life, then the gods will repay your weakness by having a grin or two at your expense. Should you fail to pilot your own ship, don’t be surprised at what inappropriate port you find yourself docked.” Tom Robbins

 

Ghost, goblins & gremlins, oh my!! It’s that time of year when those creatures surface for some fun to ‘Trick or Treat’. But when they move in to reside as your constant  internal critics – they will adversely affect your mental, emotional and physical domains.  That’s no treat!

Every heroine and hero needs to master taming or slaying some form of monster on the road to achieving her/his goals and quests.

These monsters are shape-shifter, and can show up regularly or at the most inopportune times while taking on different forms to blind-side you. Sometimes they are people near and dear to us, other times, they are the toxic strangers judging us from a place of ignorance, but the most insidious of these is the one residing within.

Imagine yourself breaking free of the defeating, limiting, fear based conversations you’ve been having for years advising you to remain safe by hiding under the proverbial bed, instead to venturing out to think in a bigger way, take worthwhile risks, and meet the challenge of new opportunities.

The taming and eventually slaying of all these dragons by silencing them is a skill to master, and with practice becomes second nature.

First, you need to develop awareness. Knowing the situations and patterns that seem to trigger those toxic conversations is a turbo charged arsenal in your toolbox to combat them. <p\>

Next, acknowledge and thank them for wanting to keep you safe. That really is one of their functions, otherwise they may actually be the internalized saboteur echoes from the past tightening their grip as you attempt to change the status quo.

Finally, be vigilant and keep practicing to raise your awareness, and ready response (rehearse the conversations you’ll have) to address them without giving them any power. The more you do this, the better you will get at loosening the grip allowing you to live more fully without the shadows of manipulation from ghosts of old, scaly dragons and distracting gremlins.

Determine where & to whom you are giving up your power & what you need to do to step into it to claim it.  To presence your own power, is to claim or reclaim it as you strip any saboteurs of theirs over you!

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Make End of Year Time Count

As this year winds down, most of us are experiencing either a sense of pride at the progress and success achieved or pangs of remorse or frustration for falling short from our set goals.  At this point you can decide to write off the year or choose to spend remaining time more productively.  I plan on pushing a bit harder each day for a stronger close by making the most of every remain moment, as well as laying the groundwork for 2019.

I like to approach year’s end by taking time to solidifying a better foundation for next year,  looking back to review and assess, all the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly.  Next, focusing on the positives I want to replicate and do of, dedicating more time to focus on priorities specific to personal, professional & community contribution areas.  This is followed by looking at the ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’, for the particulars that set Murphy’s Law into motion.  Putting the spotlight on where important components, projects or goals got derailed, can help in planning future improvements to anticipate ways to better mitigate, as well as avoid repeating those ineffective scenarios.  Determining cause that sabotages success, typically tend to point to lack of planning, preparation or follow through – or combination factors.   December is a perfect time to reflect on what worked well and what proved to be less than stellar, and to create more suitable strategies for implementing each future success goal.

Motivate yourself for invest some time to evaluate and apply insights from this year’s achievements as well as missed benchmarks.  The process involves some key questions to clarify areas for improving success this upcoming year.

How can you leverage end of year time to position for a stronger finish this year?

What key priorities would be foundational in making a marked difference in next year’s success – personally and professionally?

How do those priorities shape your vision for next year? Get as specific as possible.

How would a successful year support your longer term vision?

What lessons do you need to apply going forward?

What are the consequences if you continue with the status quo approach?

How would using a priority based framework create improvements in the year ahead?  What would that look like? Get as specific as possible – again.

It all comes down to clearly identifying top priorities to better allocate key resources of time, energy, and focus to support what is most important. Dedicate time now for assessing, planning and preparation will facilitate execution for fulfilling your vision in achieving top goals for success.

Now is the perfect time to review this year to better plan, prepare and strategize for the launch of 2019 as the best year yet!

“You can mark time or invest time making it count where it counts most.” dlb

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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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Rebound Or Let Failure Stop You?

 

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“Feet Don’t Fail Me Now…”

From Confucius, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” , to Nelly’s ‘GO’ lyrics, “…it’s not how you hit the ground, it’s how fast you get back up and go – keep going…”

Whether you’re a top leader, an upper-level manager, or just beginning your career, it’s important to realize that in the pursuit of big goals , no one is immune to setbacks and obstacles.  They will happen along the way and in varying magnitudes. That realization, in the midst of the agony can shine a light in what feels like a long tunnel of darkness. There is comfort knowing that others have gone through similar challenges to find a way beyond them – and to even turn barriers into unexpected breakthroughs.

We always have choice, to either remain down when we falter or as we shake off the dust of our missteps, look up to perhaps find the silver lining in a hidden opportunity. That resolve echoes from the ancient wisdom of Confucius, to the lyrics of R&B/Hip Hop singer, songwriter Nelly. Regardless of the failings, what matters after the fall is how fast you rebound to get back up, go, and keep going.

 

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Your Siren Call: To Heed or Silence It?

Wake Behind the Boat“Within each of us are heights yet to be scaled, goals to be achieved – beyond our fears, beyond the status quo.” Didi L. Barbour

Why allow the Explorer & Seeker within to lure you into uncharted territories?  Because to venture beyond the routine, is to delight and flourish with new pleasures, discoveries, and experiences in new worlds that beckon! It’s been advised that on our deathbed, the top regrets will not be for failing while stretching our boundaries, the biggest laments will be for what we failed to attempt.

Where will Your Life Compass take you?  If you dare let it, it will lead to the discovery of your True North.

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Personal Declaration Of Independence From What?

July 4th 030_FotorFreedom is an equal opportunity privilege afforded to all, to pursue dreams – of happiness, lifestyle, and success with options, and choices. It is truly is a sad day when we realize that the only person, thing or circumstance holding us back is our own limited self-concept based on the past instead of owning the personal power of our accomplishment of who we have evolved into!

‘Through loyalty to the past, our mind refuses to realize that tomorrow’s joy is possible – only if today makes way for it; that each wave owes the beauty of its line only to the withdrawal of the receding one.” André Gide

We all reach a point in time and life where we’ve earned our Stars and Stripes! Time to celebrate not only the national holiday with gratitude to all who have served and those currently serving our country, but, to acknowledge our own efforts, experiences and contributions to this one life we have.  Time to write, sign, and set off some fireworks declaring our personal Declaration of Independence – from whatever imposes limitation on who we are, to pursue who we want to be, to become everything we are capable of  being! Happy Declaration of Actualizing Our Potential! Happy Fourth of July!

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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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Fitness And Self-Care ROI?

FITNESS_dev.yourlifecompass.comDo you factor a daily block of time into your schedule for improving your overall wellness? Incorporating cardio, resistance or meditation time on a regular basis infuses each day and all your tomorrows with wonderful vitality and more productivity.

A well-maintained and calibrated machine runs more effectively. How are you tending to the fitness of your mind, body and soul of your personal operating system? Taking good care of those domains is not a one-time event; it’s a way of life. A fitness lifestyle does wonders helping you be more effective at achieving all your other life goals!

Can you think of better returns than investing time and effort with a regularly scheduled fitness and self-care routine to compound high positive impact in every area of your life?

 

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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!