To Learn, Not To Win #217 In the midst of year-end strategic planning and all the things leadership teams discuss and debate at the end of the year, conflict is inevitable. I noted a great quote from one of my leadership teams today: “we debate to learn, we don’t debate to win.” This is a simple phrase that keeps the…
Where Life Expands #216 There’s a great quote stating, “what you think of me is none of my business.” I believe it comes from a book by Terry Cole-Whittaker from the 1980s. It’s one I’ve come to love for many reasons; the main point being the peace, freedom, and joy that follows once applied literally. I was at a concert…
Finding Time Where There Is None #215 Our time is limited and during the holidays, schedules can feel even more compressed than usual. For our business, it’s also “annual season” which means we’re often working six- or seven-day weeks on top of the festivities and additional events. What can you do about it? Here’s a simple calendar exercise which can…
It’s Fluid, Not Permanent #214 Is it really failure when things don’t work? Often, we look at the lack of results as a failure, but perhaps it’s something more. I am a learner; I often refer to myself as a lifelong learner. I value reading, learning organically and in workshops, from digital sources and books—really any challenge to my thinking…
This Works EVERY Time #213 What’s the secret sauce for exceeding your expected results as a person or within your business? If there was one simple answer, wouldn’t that make it all easier? If there was one key ingredient the most successful people use, what would it be? Well, I don’t love the answer, nor do most of my friends…
A Winning Recipe #212 Building and scaling a business is hard work. When you have the right strategy – or “recipe” to follow, the actions you take are more like “ingredients” to enhance what’s happening. I was asked in a recent interview, “if there was a magic ‘reset’ button as it relates to starting your business, what systems would you…
On Your Terms #211 What sets up a winning day? Arguably, most people have a morning routine. Does it serve what you need it to? Are you setting yourself up for success or have you fallen into a habitual series of actions that deter from your best day? Three questions to consider for an effective day: Do you begin with…
Flawed and Excellent #210 Some days, it seems everything is more challenging than it should be. Imperfect and flawed. I was presenting for a client in two different cities the same week. We’d been planning for months and we were ready. When I arrived at the first location, for the first time ever, our materials weren’t delivered. We scrambled, worked…
Check Your Focus #209 Have you ever heard the phrase “what you focus on expands?” During a recent meeting, one of the leaders attending said they had been in a “funk.” Well, we all could relate to that statement. The conversation began and seemed to accelerate into all the things contributing to their challenges. It wasn’t helpful, in fact, it…
It’s Like Laundry #208 Eliminating waste is a great thing. When you think of waste, do you include time, energy and money? How about space? At the beginning of the year, I realized how much stress I had when my email inbox was full. Like all busy people, I receive many emails on any given day. On New Year’s Day,…