One of my core values is to be the model for others and to always practice what I preach. On that note, here is my 2022 Review + my 2023 Preview as we say goodbye to the year and say Hello to the next 12 months ahead!

2022 Highlights

• I had many new speaking opportunities both locally and virtually, including: 4 Cincinnati-based Vistage groups, a FL-based Gallagher Client Services team, Rotary Club of Cincinnati, Aviatra Accelerators, Southern Ohio Young Professionals group, USI Insurance Services…to name just a few!
• I became a trainer for the University of Dayton’s Center for Leadership and now provide a full day time management workshop to leaders from many different businesses in the Dayton area and beyond (2022 included 7 full-day training dates.)
• I began working with a marketing strategy coach and am extremely happy with my LinkedIn social media presence and messaging, and have begun to actually enjoy the marketing side of my business 🙂
• I completed 1 half-marathon in the Spring, prior to patiently navigating a 5-month long leg injury which sidelined me completely from running….but I followed doctor’s orders and finally received clearance to get back to running!
• I traveled to Mexico and North Carolina to co-facilitate 2 women’s business retreats alongside a good friend and fellow business coach.
• I spent almost 4 weeks “away” from the business for travel & family time…and experienced only positive results from the downtime!
• I had the privilege to support over 20 peak performers through individual coaching engagements, and completed 3 corporate engagements with teams ranging in size from 5-100+.

2023 Preview

Below are some of the exciting & motivating goals I have set for the year ahead:

• I will train for and successfully complete a full marathon by the end of the year.
• I will Increase revenue by $50K or more.
• I will secure at minimum 1 keynote speaking opportunity at a conference/event that involves travel.
• I will travel to New York City with my 3 best friends from college to see the city decorated for the Christmas holidays.
• I will spend 1 day a month with my family for a “Family Outing” – we are building our list of 12 experiences now!
• I will consistently meet with referral & collaboration partners monthly/quarterly, to strengthen these relationships and create more opportunities for business growth and partnership.
• I will expand the corporate engagement / professional development programming side of my business by securing 3 or more corporate contracts by Q4.

Getting It Done

I hope that by sharing my Review + Preview process, it inspires you to take the time to complete your own version of the process and to set intentions for the new year. Please consider sharing with me your successes and lessons learned from the past year, as well as your audacious goals for the year ahead!  And, if you need the support and guidance of a business productivity coach to take action on this process and the implementation into 2023, know that I am ready to fill that role for you.

Listen to our conversation HERE and let me know what you think about improving culture by supporting team & individual productivity levels.

Listen Here

Do you think the leaders & CEOs of successful companies like Tesla, Proctor & Gamble, and Apple reached their level of leadership and success on their own?

Successful leaders make it to the peak of their careers and reach their fullest potential because they had leaders in their life, showing them the way, guiding them along the journey and shortening the learning curve by providing wise counsel.

Below are five of the top reasons successful leaders work with coaches. What additional reasons would you add to this list?

Ready to explore working with a coach to reach your potential? Reach out today and set up a call!

GRIT

Grit is having passion & perseverance for long-term goals. It involves being able to focus when needed and to positively and creatively problem solve. Those with grit are willing to falter & fail on the path towards growth and accomplishment.

SUPPORT

Peak Performers know that success is not accomplished alone. They surround themselves with other experts, creative thinkers and driven doers, and believe fully that together everyone achieves more.

HEALTH

Performing at one’s peak requires a healthy and strong body, mind, and spirit. If physical & mental health are ignored, individuals cannot fully discover their greatest potential. Routines & habits focused on health are the foundation to peak performance.

RECOVERY

Peak Performers require downtime; time to refuel and recharge so that they can tap back into their passion and purpose during the high intensity, action-oriented parts of each day/week.

Ready to become a peak performer like the greats? Send me a message and let’s discuss the path towards your potential!

In my experience as a business coach, I find that the definition of productivity is as varied and unique as the clients with whom I work. I ask each and every client to define productivity, peak performance, personal potential, success, and work-life balance for themself. The 5 P’s serve as a framework, a roadmap for reaching the goals and success each client sets out to achieve.

What would you add to your list or roadmap, for achieving your own desired peak productivity levels?

Have you considered how you are going to “gift” yourself this month-particularly in the form of rest and recovery?

I am guessing you typically operate full-steam ahead, without a plan in place to recharge and recover. You probably wait until you hit the wall or until you literally run out of gas.  That was my default mode of operation for a very long time, and to be 100% honest, I have to work really hard to keep myself in check and not fall back into those old habits.  But here is another truth:  running your business and your life in this way can be a fatal flaw for leaders and peak performers like you.

Professionals as Athletes

Let me explain. (Yep, time for another sports analogy)!

As the leader of a business, a team, a family, &/or a household, you are very similar to an athlete. Everyday you are putting concerted effort, time, and energy into your area of expertise; practicing and executing, refining and improving, stressing the “muscles”  to get stronger. Which is not a negative, in and of itself.   In general, the goal is to increase your capacity so you can sustain levels of high performance, right?

Here is where the problem sneaks in.  Experts who study high performers in the athletic arena have found that the greatest barrier to high performance is not stress (this actually stimulates growth) but rather is the absence of strategic recovery.

Stated another way, work without recovery/rest undermines performance. 

Your habit of working hard during the week is a great discipline. Your habit of working into the late evenings and/or through the weekend, week after week, is not a great discipline – its a bad habit, truthfully. And despite the fact that it feels necessary to keep up, to keep growing and serving and up-leveling, you are actually compromising your performance and limiting your capacity to reach your “business-athletic” potential.  

Gift or Necessity

So, as you think about all the people you need to give gifts to this month, be sure your name is near the top of the list. If 2022 is going to be your year to accomplish big things and reach your peak in performance and growth, you must give yourself the “gift” of rest and recovery. In fact, it’s not really a gift at all- it is a necessity to reach the top in your “sport” called business ownership.

Need help creating a system to incorporate more rest & recovery in 2022, to ensure you perform at your peak and accomplish your goals? Let’s Talk! Schedule a complimentary call today.

Regardless of your leadership style or the number of individuals you are leading, accountability can be a vital tool in your toolbox.  The people you lead – clients, colleagues, even family members – likely come to the table with a mixed bag of experiences and opinions of accountability. Some see it positively and are inspired by it; others have a negative connotation and are intimidated by the concept.  Some people have grown because of accountability; others have been stagnated by it.  

The truth is, accountability has the potential to be a real game-changer in professional relationships and can become a pillar of the culture you create and the impact you and your business make.

Accountability & Culture

Accountability is equal parts goal-setting and action-taking.  It’s about celebrating the wins and giving support through defeats.  A study from the American Society for Training and Development found that you have a 65% chance of achieving a goal if you commit to someone, and if you establish ongoing meetings with that someone, the odds increase to 95%!  Clearly, social influence is a powerful motivational tool, and science exists to back this up. Creating social comparisons and social commitments with others ups our game and keeps us committed all the way through to completion. 

There are four essential things to think about as you are developing accountability with your clients and team members.

1. It Begins Day One:  It is extremely important that you discuss and define accountability from the very beginning. Be sure you are frequently talking about how accountability is going to be a part of the working relationship. For example, with a new hire, weave this concept into the onboarding process and explain how accountability is part of the positive culture of your business. With new clients, give explicit examples of how accountability is a core value of your company/team, and how it will be beneficial to the client in reaching their goals. 

2. Consistency Counts: Another extremely important factor is consistency.  You can have the best laid plans; You can talk about how frequently you’re going to check in and how you’re going to motivate and inspire, and you can map it all out beautifully on paper or in a project management tool. But, if you are not showing up consistently, as promised and as planned, you will quickly lose the trust and buy-in from others.  If you are not consistent, you will send the message that the project – or the person-  is not a priority and that you are not equally invested.  So, be all in! Do whatever it takes to make sure that you are checking in at the same time and in the same way, asking the right questions and following the agreed upon plan. 

3. Work on the Why:  Your reason for providing accountability is critical. If you implement accountability check-ins or partnership simply because the research says to do so, you will not get the results you seek.  You must go a layer deeper; you need to get clear on your why, and help others find their “why” as well.  Take the time needed to identify the specific goals and the outcomes that accountability will lead to for everyone.

4. Give and Receive:  Be sure there are benefits for all parties involved.  Are you growing as a leader? Developing new skills? Becoming a better listener? Learning to be consistent? Improving communication skills?   “What’s in it for me” is not a selfish question to ask when providing accountability.  If you are asking team members and clients to look to you as their accountability partner, I also encourage you to make sure you are walking your talk; that you have others holding you accountable. Ultimately, accountability is something you build into your life, into your lifestyle, into your business, into your personal growth and development. When you walk your talk as an owner and leader, you begin to demonstrate the value in a whole new way, making a greater impact upon all. 

Leaders & Accountability

Becoming a leader who values and utilizes accountability takes time and takes practice. Yet I am confident it will become your go-to strategy as you build your business, grow your team, and impact the lives of your clients.

If this sounds great in theory, yet feels overwhelming in terms of how to get started and where to turn for help, then you are in luck! This is my jam, my passion, my expertise and is why I love my business… to help business owners and leaders just like you.  Reach out for an initial (complimentary) consultation and let’s build a plan together that feels authentic and achievable.  And, yes, I will serve as your accountability partner all the way through to implementation and success!

I am here to tell you that saying “no” can be a positive experience, can be the better answer, and that peak performers actually use no as a way to boost their productivity. 

Michael Hyatt said, “The secret to reducing overwhelm is to do less, not more.”  In order to make a significant impact, you honestly have to say no to many things…even things you find fun, easy, and interesting.  When you focus on fewer things, you more quickly master them and you perform them with excellence. You remember the saying, “jack of all trades, master of none,” right?  Using the world “no” can help lead you to greater productivity and mastery, leaving the mark on the world and those around you that you desire. 

Saying no really is the ultimate productivity hack!  

Think about your week so far; what have you said ”yes” to already that you really didn’t want or need to add to your plate?  Being a “yes man” or “yes woman” creates a vicious cycle – you likely will become frustrated by your obligations even though you were the one who said yes to them in the first place!

Why do you say “yes” in most circumstances?

• You don’t want to seem rude, selfish, unhelpful, or unsupportive?
• You don’t want to tarnish or strain relationships?
• You may need help from the person in the future?
• You were taught to put others before yourself?
• You feel obligated because of a past event or experience, and you said yes last time?
• You’ve always done it this way, so you didn’t even think to question it?

We think of yes and no as equal and opposite, right?  I would argue that while they are opposite, they are not necessarily equal in terms of the weight that they carry.  When you say “no”….you are saying “no” to one option, but when you say “yes”…you are saying no to every other option.  Think about it from an economist’s perspective. Tim Harford said, “Every time we say yes to a request, we are also saying no to anything else we might accomplish with that time.”  Once you have committed to something, you have already decided how that future block of time will be spent.  In other words, saying “no” saves you time in the future.  It’s like earning a time credit! Saying “yes” costs you time in the future.  That’s a time debt!  No is a decision. Yes is a responsibility.

While Saying No is sometimes a luxury or a choice only the privileged and already successful have because they have money and power to fall back upon, think of it also as a strategy that can lead you to greater levels of success and power.  Say “no” to distractions…say “no” to good ideas so you can focus on the great ideas.

So, how do you capitalize on the power of NO?  Start asking, is this task/role necessary?  Practice how to say no in advance.  Stop telling yourself you have to explain your decision; “no” is a 1-word response!  Work on “no” becoming more of a default than yes.  “Yes” must be strategic.

Peter Drucker said, “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” What should you not be doing at all?  My challenge to you is to think about one area of your life where you can say “no” to create more time.  Enjoy the freedom, opportunities and increased productivity that comes with powerfully saying ‘no!”

I recently posed a question inside my Facebook community, asking “What are you most distracted by today?”

The responses were varied, but several themes were evident amongst the group members: children, spouses, pets, nice weather, lack of structure & focus, and feelings of overwhelm. Can you relate to any of those distractions in your current circumstance?

Working while distracted can create a sense of frustration and lead to a lack of motivation. It can make simple tasks take twice as long and can make us feel poorly about ourselves. It also can put a strain on our relationships with family members who are also trying to be productive while stuck at home! We really are all in this together.

In an effort to help you keep the peace at home and maintain high levels of productivity, here are a few strategies you can implement to avoid and minimize distractions while working!

1. Anticipate and Eliminate the distractions you do have control over. We cannot be in full control of our environment, but there are several aspects that we can become more aware of and take proactive steps to control. For example, use background music or a white noise machine to eliminate the noise of others in your home. Download an app (such as Freedom, AppBlocker, Focus Me) to lock you out of distracting, time-wasting websites; turn your phone on airplane mode or removing your phone from your office for a set amount of time to avoid unexpected phone calls and non-urgent text messages.

2. Communicate boundaries, needs, & availability to those at home and to those with whom you work. You can do this by posting your schedule in the kitchen and/or on your office door. Plan your breaks ahead of time so your children know when you will be fully available (and when you are very much not available!) Compromise with your spouse so that you each get a block of quiet, uninterrupted time in the home office. Conduct a team meeting with your co-workers and allow each member to share any significant time conflicts they may have throughout the week due to family or personal needs. If there is ever a time for managers and co-workers to give a little grace and be flexible, the time is now! Do not be afraid to communicate your needs and to uphold reasonable boundaries.

3. Implement Structure through Schedules & Routines. It may be tempting to wake up a little later some days, to follow the flow of the day versus your typical schedule, to be a bit more loose and flexible with time since you are home all day long. But do not forget that structure is a way of organizing your life so that it makes sense to you. When you follow a consistent routine, you wake up with a sense of ownership & order; a sense of purpose and direction. Following a schedule and implementing your own structure also means there are fewer decisions to make, helping you avoid decision paralysis. Routine also helps negate the need for willpower and motivation. So, just keep in mind that structure, schedules and a routine can provide needed familiarity and predictability, especially in uncertain or stressful times.

4. Team Work! If you have children at home, one of the best approaches I can recommend is to create a team mentality. Present to the whole family the idea that working together as a team will help everyone win (and end the day in smiles versus tears). Be creative and select a team name, giving each family member a title and a list of their daily role/responsibilities. Create a point system so the kids can “score” when they cooperate; completing school work, staying quiet during conference calls, spending time outdoors getting fresh air and exercise. Invite your kids to develop their independence skills, give them choices whenever possible, and provide as much visual support as needed (timers, checklists) and verbal praise when deserved. We really are asking our children to take on an unfamiliar role and added responsibility they are not used to! Help them feel useful and feel like they are contributing to your family’s success and well-being.

Have you found a “magic bullet” that is helping you not just survive but thrive while working from home? I would love for you to share your successful strategies – or your challenges!! When you learn to manage the distractions, you will find the power to maintain peace and productivity.