I can recall being a teenager and laying out some of my future plans. Ironically, college wasn't one of them for this small-town south central PA girl. Falling in love was- to a gorgeous and hard working perfect man. I was also planning to have two children by the time I was 28.
"Wow," is all that I can say when I think back to that plan. Maybe a little "what was I thinking?" too.
Fast forward almost 20 years. I'm 34 (35 next month). I've completed both college and graduate school and have a resume that is 2 pages, condensed. The children never came along. And the perfect man hasn't either. I've realized perfection was a bit far fetched. (smile)
I've watched dear friend realize my original plan. And, I've had the pleasure to live vicariously through them- as they have through me on my very different journey.
I believe planning is great. I think goals drive us to live better. I also believe we can be headed down a path that isn't right for us at times. A wise person will analyze their plan for appropriateness at regular intervals. Is is still the right way to go? Why or why not? Revise when and if necessary.
Don't fail to realize when your path needs readjustments. Don't get caught up in "oh, but for 10 years I've wanted this, so it HAS to happen....". Be smarter than that. Stubbornness and laziness will lead you to fail every time. Don't confuse being driven, goal oriented and focused with being resistant to diversions. A great person who is all of those things also has the ability to revisit the plan, revise and reset the path.
At 34 I dedicated myself to revisiting the more social aspects of my life (versus academic and professional). I'm delighted each day I get to walk in my new path- that came a few decades behind my original plan.
Have fun with your path. Don't take it too seriously that you fail to see the larger pictures.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Email Overload?
"Would you like to join my mailing list?" How often do you hear this?
Worse is when merchants and vendors invite you to join a contest to disguise them adding you to their mailing list. I really hate this. I'd rather you just ask me.
I have two mailing lists- one for my coaching clients and others interested in coaching topics and another for my book fans, World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (www.powletters.com). People choose to join them.
Occasionally someone will say, "oh, another list- I can't. I'm overwhelmed with lists and emails and the phone calls...."
Here's my recommendation to clean up your lists:
1. Look at each list that lands in your email for 30 days.
2. Do you even look at the email? If not, opt out (there is opt out instructions within the email, usually at the bottom).
3. What do you gain from the email? If nothing or little, opt out.
When considering joining a new list:
1. Find out if its email, postal mail or telephone calls that you'll receive from being on the list.
2. Is the list shared with like-merchants, vendors?
3. How often will you expect to receive correspondence?
4. What is your goal for being on the list? What do you hope to get out of it? (write it down)
5. When you get it- will you read it? If not, don't join on the assumption that you'll find time to read it someday.
The same guidance above goes for telephone calls that you receive from merchants. If you don't want to receive them anymore, request to be taken off their list (document that call) and ask how you got on their list to begin with (to follow up with other merchants/vendors).
Opting out can be the best thing you do to decrease your overload. Only opt in when you see the benefit to a list- and will take the time to read or enjoy it when it comes out.
Worse is when merchants and vendors invite you to join a contest to disguise them adding you to their mailing list. I really hate this. I'd rather you just ask me.
I have two mailing lists- one for my coaching clients and others interested in coaching topics and another for my book fans, World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (www.powletters.com). People choose to join them.
Occasionally someone will say, "oh, another list- I can't. I'm overwhelmed with lists and emails and the phone calls...."
Here's my recommendation to clean up your lists:
1. Look at each list that lands in your email for 30 days.
2. Do you even look at the email? If not, opt out (there is opt out instructions within the email, usually at the bottom).
3. What do you gain from the email? If nothing or little, opt out.
When considering joining a new list:
1. Find out if its email, postal mail or telephone calls that you'll receive from being on the list.
2. Is the list shared with like-merchants, vendors?
3. How often will you expect to receive correspondence?
4. What is your goal for being on the list? What do you hope to get out of it? (write it down)
5. When you get it- will you read it? If not, don't join on the assumption that you'll find time to read it someday.
The same guidance above goes for telephone calls that you receive from merchants. If you don't want to receive them anymore, request to be taken off their list (document that call) and ask how you got on their list to begin with (to follow up with other merchants/vendors).
Opting out can be the best thing you do to decrease your overload. Only opt in when you see the benefit to a list- and will take the time to read or enjoy it when it comes out.
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Story of Heartbreak and Dedication
I hope that you got to see the Olympics last evening. In the men’s relay they dropped the baton on one of the passes, thus disqualifying team USA. The heartbreak was written all over Tyson Gay’s face when he realized the pass didn’t happen.
The women’s relay then experienced the same devastation. Lauryn Williams, who failed to accept a pass in the previous Olympics, dropped the baton on the pass. Everyone knew she and the Americans were again disqualified. But, Williams returned to pick it up and then ran to the finish anyway. In her interview she twice said, “I HAD to finish.”
I encourage you to accept and overcome the disappointments that come along with working hard towards your goals. Don’t stop just because it can’t be perfect. Finish what you started. You’ll be glad you did.
The women’s relay then experienced the same devastation. Lauryn Williams, who failed to accept a pass in the previous Olympics, dropped the baton on the pass. Everyone knew she and the Americans were again disqualified. But, Williams returned to pick it up and then ran to the finish anyway. In her interview she twice said, “I HAD to finish.”
I encourage you to accept and overcome the disappointments that come along with working hard towards your goals. Don’t stop just because it can’t be perfect. Finish what you started. You’ll be glad you did.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Turning Trouble Into Gold
You can't hide from Michael Phelps mania. And, you shouldn't want to. He's a star!
The lesser known story of how he got into swimming, however, is equally fascinating. As a youth, Michael's mom found him to have far more energy than other youth. She couldn't fill his time with the right activities to keep him engaged and satisfied. He was diagnosed with a hyperactivity disorder.
She enrolled him in swim class. Soon after his coach came to her and said he has Olympic potential and he'd (coach) like to work with him more. And, here we are 8 gold medals later.
What I love about this story is not only the hope he gives to all of us for achieving our dreams- but the hope his story gives to us for turning difficulties into vehicles to shine.
What are your challenges? How can you turn them into success?
The lesser known story of how he got into swimming, however, is equally fascinating. As a youth, Michael's mom found him to have far more energy than other youth. She couldn't fill his time with the right activities to keep him engaged and satisfied. He was diagnosed with a hyperactivity disorder.
She enrolled him in swim class. Soon after his coach came to her and said he has Olympic potential and he'd (coach) like to work with him more. And, here we are 8 gold medals later.
What I love about this story is not only the hope he gives to all of us for achieving our dreams- but the hope his story gives to us for turning difficulties into vehicles to shine.
What are your challenges? How can you turn them into success?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Do You Believe in the Possibilities?
I hope you all have heard of Dana Torres. She’s won 10 Olympic medals and is participating in her fifth Olympics this year in China. She’s 41. She won one of her gold medals 15 months after giving birth to her first child. At the age of 40 she beat her own American record (twice) for 50 m freestyle, set at the age of 15.
To think she has competed against and beat out swimmers half her age is simply awesome. To see that she has gotten better with age and is able to accomplish feats at 40 she couldn’t do at 15 is extraordinary.
She’s my hero this week. How about yours?
To think she has competed against and beat out swimmers half her age is simply awesome. To see that she has gotten better with age and is able to accomplish feats at 40 she couldn’t do at 15 is extraordinary.
She’s my hero this week. How about yours?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Purging is Sexy!
Whether its clothes, china, office supplies or data- inventory it, clean it up, and throw it out!
You'll feel lighter, more organized and productive moving forward.
How much stuff is in your home or office that you haven't touched in more than 2 years? Get rid of it! Think of it this way, would you pay to have those items stored at $40 a month? If not, get it out of there and into the hands of someone else who will use it or allow it to squat in their space- not yours!
When I assist people in reorganizing their spaces they often are amazed at what we find- they say, "that's where that went!" or "I forgot I had that!". Good. Keep forgetting. Its going in the bin.
Purge different spaces in your home often.
I purge clothing several times a year- if it hasn't been worn it gets a few more weeks of reprieve. If I still don't wear it- it goes in the bin (rubbish bin or donation bin).
I purge office materials twice per year.
Get the family involved. Ask each family member to donate 20% of their clothing or other goods by looking at what they don't use/wear. Its a nice way to be reminded of how much you have and how much you can assist others who have less. And, bonus- you reclaim your space!
Purging is sexy. Now get in there and just do it!
You'll feel lighter, more organized and productive moving forward.
How much stuff is in your home or office that you haven't touched in more than 2 years? Get rid of it! Think of it this way, would you pay to have those items stored at $40 a month? If not, get it out of there and into the hands of someone else who will use it or allow it to squat in their space- not yours!
When I assist people in reorganizing their spaces they often are amazed at what we find- they say, "that's where that went!" or "I forgot I had that!". Good. Keep forgetting. Its going in the bin.
Purge different spaces in your home often.
I purge clothing several times a year- if it hasn't been worn it gets a few more weeks of reprieve. If I still don't wear it- it goes in the bin (rubbish bin or donation bin).
I purge office materials twice per year.
Get the family involved. Ask each family member to donate 20% of their clothing or other goods by looking at what they don't use/wear. Its a nice way to be reminded of how much you have and how much you can assist others who have less. And, bonus- you reclaim your space!
Purging is sexy. Now get in there and just do it!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Women and Internships. Stop the madness.
This blog has nothing to do with women taking part in their own internships. Rather, it is about the dozens of women I have known and worked with who take on the nurturing relationships in their firms (running the internship program) without any benefit.
Stop it.
Stop doing things that yield no additional pay, no mention on your performance review (other than a sentence that is NEVER tied to your salary increase or promotion potential).
I work with clients who want to be on top. They want to be the #1 in their company. Guess what? You need to be a little selfish for that position.
I advise them to become a little selfish- for ONE year- and NOT take on their pet projects in the office that don't DIRECTLY relate to their placement on the totem pole.
Focus on you. Focus on your performance in the role you've been hired for and the role/s you WANT.
Ladies, don't become the nurturer, helper, sitter, g0-to for non-essentials, etc.... Unless it is your primary role and the way that you make money. Its a thankless position (most of the time). Its not a top-performer role. It won't get you to #1 in the company.
Stop taking on the internship program because you are a good person- and "somebody has to". Let that somebody be somebody else.
Stop it.
Stop doing things that yield no additional pay, no mention on your performance review (other than a sentence that is NEVER tied to your salary increase or promotion potential).
I work with clients who want to be on top. They want to be the #1 in their company. Guess what? You need to be a little selfish for that position.
I advise them to become a little selfish- for ONE year- and NOT take on their pet projects in the office that don't DIRECTLY relate to their placement on the totem pole.
Focus on you. Focus on your performance in the role you've been hired for and the role/s you WANT.
Ladies, don't become the nurturer, helper, sitter, g0-to for non-essentials, etc.... Unless it is your primary role and the way that you make money. Its a thankless position (most of the time). Its not a top-performer role. It won't get you to #1 in the company.
Stop taking on the internship program because you are a good person- and "somebody has to". Let that somebody be somebody else.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Where is Your Gold Medal?
Will you be watching the 2008 Olympics staring 08/08/2008?
If so, you'll see men and women who are at the peak of their careers going for the gold. They are the best of the best. They've worked many years to get to where they are. The world will be watching them to see if they succeed or miss the mark.
I enjoy the Olympics for that very reason. I love to support others (even if only from my couch in my living room) and cheer them on. I also love the Olympics because of the way it related to my own life. I'm far from being in top physical condition. I've never won physical challenges in my life. However, I have worked ever so hard on things - for years at a time - and had my work culminate in a win or loss in a matter of minutes. I've desperately wanted for things to happen in my life. I've known both success and failure at things that seemed to mean the world to me (at the time).
What would your gold medal be for? What is it that you strive for? What does a win look and feel like for you at this point in your life?
Do you want to have a baby more than anything? Do you want to be more valued at work? Are you struggling to finish a 10-year task?
Make this Olympic period be yours. Decide what gold you are going for. Train for it. Work at it. Develop your cheering section. Make it happen. These sorts of achievements can be once in a lifetime. Go for it!
If so, you'll see men and women who are at the peak of their careers going for the gold. They are the best of the best. They've worked many years to get to where they are. The world will be watching them to see if they succeed or miss the mark.
I enjoy the Olympics for that very reason. I love to support others (even if only from my couch in my living room) and cheer them on. I also love the Olympics because of the way it related to my own life. I'm far from being in top physical condition. I've never won physical challenges in my life. However, I have worked ever so hard on things - for years at a time - and had my work culminate in a win or loss in a matter of minutes. I've desperately wanted for things to happen in my life. I've known both success and failure at things that seemed to mean the world to me (at the time).
What would your gold medal be for? What is it that you strive for? What does a win look and feel like for you at this point in your life?
Do you want to have a baby more than anything? Do you want to be more valued at work? Are you struggling to finish a 10-year task?
Make this Olympic period be yours. Decide what gold you are going for. Train for it. Work at it. Develop your cheering section. Make it happen. These sorts of achievements can be once in a lifetime. Go for it!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Do You Take Responsibility for Other People's Actions?
Recently, I've been disturbed by the level of irresponsibility that exists. However, I'm not talking about on an individual level. I hope that we all accept individuals should be responsible for their actions (well, most individuals there are a few exceptions depending upon age and mental capacity). My upset has been more with the powers that oversee individuals, whether it be a company, a governmental agency, etc...
Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent you. Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent your company/city/board... Across all pay ranges and all titles you need to make sure these individuals are acting in a manner that you can be proud of (and bank on). YOU are at risk if they are not. Your company/city/board...is at risk if they are not.
You MUST have strong training programs in place (again, at all levels for everyone). You MUST have frequent examinations (by an outside or unknown party) to test that this training has been implemented. And, you MUST take immediate action when you identify an individual that is not upholding the mission, vision, and values of your work. There are no exceptions.
Remember, the smallest most insignificant interaction to you (or your employee) can turn a potential life-long customer/fan to your competitor. And, they will take all of their friends with them.
Is your "house" in order? Make it a priority for the next 90 days. You'll thank me for it.
Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent you. Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent your company/city/board... Across all pay ranges and all titles you need to make sure these individuals are acting in a manner that you can be proud of (and bank on). YOU are at risk if they are not. Your company/city/board...is at risk if they are not.
You MUST have strong training programs in place (again, at all levels for everyone). You MUST have frequent examinations (by an outside or unknown party) to test that this training has been implemented. And, you MUST take immediate action when you identify an individual that is not upholding the mission, vision, and values of your work. There are no exceptions.
Remember, the smallest most insignificant interaction to you (or your employee) can turn a potential life-long customer/fan to your competitor. And, they will take all of their friends with them.
Is your "house" in order? Make it a priority for the next 90 days. You'll thank me for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
.JPG)
