Review Your Work (last day of 2015)

We are all doing this.  We are reflecting on our last year and looking forward to the next.  After all, without reflecting on the past, how can we set goals, make plans or even learn?

By taking time at the end of the year (or project or quarter or month) to review and see what you accomplished, or didn't, you have the opportunity to relive (see them again in your mind's eye, enjoy/celebrate one more time!) some moments, and put others away (get closure, finalize, remove/delete).

Here is my ReLive List for 2015:

my sons graduating to their next level of education

• new clients that asked me to join them on their journey
• trip to the Bahamas - new spot to visit
• Las Vegas with my mom & dad!
• becoming part of a virtual team 
• new wineries to visit (numerous!)
• hosting The Art of Inspiring Conversation
• watching all of How I Met Your Mother with my hubby
• birth of a new family member
• new business opportunity (more on this next)
• reading 2.75 books per month - opening my eyes and my mind to new ideas
• starting a develop-myself trek by 'reading' while running - bless the inventor of the audiobook & the authors who read their own work!

Here is my PutAway List for 2015:

• falling off my plans for posting regularly
• not hitting 2 goals for this year 
• firing a client
• realigning my time to focus on what matters most - and then not sticking to the plan  (It was the Year of Ship....every year should be the Year of Ship....)
• arguments, fights and wasted time in toxic encounters
• tears of not enough, when we are all enough
• mistakes, misunderstandings and miscommunications
• realizing I still need to forgive and grieve in order to move forward (that one hurts still!)

Writing this out, I can see that the ReLive list certainly includes more other people than the PutAway List - that tells me something right there, doesn't it?

Part of getting this out is to help us see where we can make changes & grow.  The other side is to look at what behaviours, feeling and accomplishments do we want to repeat & how do we do that.  Starting tomorrow, it's all about finding the way to enjoy more, regret less; hope more, grieve less; ask more, be present, give back & be kind.

How Leaders Cope

Looking at life there are many opportunities to dwell in misfortune, misunderstanding and pain. Usually at the centre of all of this strife is the fact that we feel we cannot cope with what is taking place around it.

Leaders can get to this point at anytime - number crunches, people issues, client retention, operational controls...there are a lot of balls to juggle.  It is easy to say 'just breathe' but it can still feel overwhelming. 

Leaders who focus on good planning, solid obstacle anticipation and great delegating find they are not feeling the same disorganized stress.  At the same time, life happens - kids get sick, parents need someone to attend appointments with them, there is a flood in your basement and on and on.   Life is not slow, it is fast.  Life can also be very complex. 


Well, here goes. Take Control. (I don't usually get too spiritual but I truly believe that you are never given more than you can handle by the universe or then powers driving it) At the very least this gives us the ability to cope, and here is how:


1-believe in yourself, you can get through it

2-care about yourself, make decisions that align with your values

3-have courage. Risks are not easy; taking on new challenges, wading through tough times takes courage. Dig within yourself to find it. It is there.

4-realize your worthiness. You have been put on earth for a reason, you are worthy of the successes and celebrations that will cross your path. Celebrate! Be successful! Get through the hard times and move forward.

You can do it! Take control. Surprise the universe, and yourself!
 
Solid leaders ensure their team has a mechanism that can help them cope.  It can be a simple as an open door policy or more advance, like a resouce hotline that provides professional advice or care.  Helping your team cope can be a simple as asking how they are doing each day - by learning about them, understanding what pressures they have outside of work, you can be a sounding board, a release valve or a safe haven....a place for rest and focus.
 
What do you do to cope?  How do you help your team cope?

A Day of Light

Today is a day of light.  No matter what you celebrate at this time of year, you are celebrating light....time moving forward, daylight growing, Winter moving towards Spring.

This is a time of reflection (and you need light to have a reflection).  Here is a toast to the light in your life.  May it always shine brightly and lead you on the journey that you intend....many blessings for a Merry Christmas and time of light.

Thank you for being a starlight in my life.

The C's of Leadership

Constant - applies a particular amount of energy to everything
Consistent- the same, always
Character- what they are made of, their values
Competitive- with themselves , with others, in the business, with the team
Compassionate-cares for others
Care, including careful- thinks with the heart, thinks things through
Challenge-takes on, gives, meets, exceeds
Contemplative- thinks things through
Coach-guides others to find the best within themselves
Calm-still, thinking, contemplative
Capable -able, ready to go
Celebrate-looks for ways to show gratitude, underscore successes, be together
Charity- works for others who need them
Change-an agent, ready to switch, move, try new things
Committed-wants the organization and the team to succeed
Connected-linked to others, to the business
Credibility-acts with integrity, upholds reputation
Create- artistically works with others
Cultivate- builds, grows, harvests
Culture-values that keep the keel even on the water, basis for decisions
Caped crusader - sometimes they are just a superhero!