Winning Attributes

I've observed thousands of people over the years, as part of my work and as part of my natural interest in learning and observing behavior. I've come to identify limiting as well as successful attributes and behaviors in people. I examine and refine this list to benefit my clients as well as myself. I'll share a few examples with you today- as we prepare for our new year and to be our best selves.

Be Social- in a good and balanced way- and you'll be rewarded with great relationships
Believe it or not I was a shy child in many respects. At the age of 12 I realized that to build relationships with others you need to be social. As an only child that didn't come naturally to me. I had to work at it. And, I had to work hard to discover how to do it well and in a balanced way. I remember at one point getting it very wrong- and believing that I had to give people my toys to have them like me. There were a lot of growing pains.

Be a Great Networker to promote yourself, your business and help others
I had a friend who seemed to know everyone. She could solve any problem by picking up the phone. She was a giver. A helper. I admired her. I was in my early 20's when I met her in Philadelphia. I knew then that she was on to something with her incredible social skills. I later came to see that it was networking at its best. I mirrored her in the things she did and began to harness my own abilities as a networker.

Observe Others to be Your Best
Look to other people to see how you can improve. I'm not suggesting that you compete and compare yourself with others to the point of losing who you are- however, I am advocating that you step away from yourself to examine attributes of others that could enhance who you are. You can teach an old dog new tricks! You can become and do things that you haven't before. You can live your life the way you want to. It truly is a personal choice that you have to become the person you want to be- free of any limitations that have been set at your doorstep in days before. One small example of this is public speaking. If you would like to be better at it there are groups you can join, books you can read, coaches you can hire, etc.... Thousands of people harness this skill every year. You are no different. You can become a great speaker if you want to.

I wish you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009!

A Life Coach's Contribution to Wellness Programs

How can a life coach help my company and our employees?

As health care costs rise companies are reaching out to employees to take a greater hand in their health and related costs. Costs are expected to rise 6.8% this year and 40% of employers surveyed reported that they’ll ask employees to do more cost-sharing.1 Alternative avenues to increase health and wellness are being sought at the company level to lower health care costs while increasing employee heath and education.

Top-tier companies recognize the benefits of healthy and happy employees therefore they are inviting nutritionists, personal trainers, smoking cessation coaches and others into the workplace for the benefit of both the employee and company. These experts are being packaged in Wellness Programs and other benefits packages offered by the company for free or at a significantly reduced cost to employees. And, it’s working. The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that for every $1 that a company invested in wellness programs they received $1.65 in benefits returned.[1] Wellness programs not only save companies and individuals money (an estimated $1,476 per person), they yield additional benefits such as lower rates of absenteeism, improved morale and increased productivity.[2] When employees thrive and take ownership of their health, well being and overall success, everyone wins- including the companies employing them.

Life coaching is ideal for wellness programs and other benefits packages because it covers multiple facets of an employee’s life. Life coaches work with people on areas such as wellness and health, decision-making and relationships, workplace development, home-life balance and overall achievement in various areas of their life. Coaches have been used by leaders and executives for many years but are becoming more popular with the mainstream as they become more affordable and services are more widespread across the country.

As a life coach, I have personally helped people and businesses do the following[3]:
Organize space and tasks to be more productive – thus increasing revenue
Build better relationships with coworkers, managers and clients- strengthening reputation, increasing repeat business, optimizing working relationships and increasing revenue
Examine and identify areas lacking optimal productivity- thus increasing productivity
Increase confidence, decision-making and leadership abilities- to better serve the company, product or service and/or career elevation
Ensure that employees are thriving in both home and work arenas- a holistic approach to health and wellness achievement
Become more healthful (specifically losing weight and quitting smoking)- longevity and strengthening quality of life

Life coaching options for your company and employees may include:
A resident life coach for employee accessibility one or two days a week (in-house)
On-call coaching (by appointment) for employees during or after work hours
Monthly life coaching seminars at the office (30-60 minutes)

Financial options may include:
Company pays 100% of coaching
Company and employee share in the cost of coaching
Employees pay 100% of coaching (company provides the introduction, resource materials and perhaps meeting space)

[1] Pittsburgh Business Times. With heath care costs on rise, workers will have to shell out. February 22-28, 2008.
[2] Pittsburgh Business Times. Focus on wellness saves medical claim costs, survey finds. October 19-25, 2007.
[3] Please see my testimonials for more information as to my work with individuals and companies.

Pick One Project... any project

As 2008 winds down, I encourage you to enter 2009 with your best foot forward.

I believe it was my mother who told me that they way you start 2009 is the way it will progress. Therefore, she encouraged me to start it with a clean house!

Well, I'd like the clean house to symbolize your life. Clean it up. Organize it. Feel good about what you have and what you want. Know what direction you will pursue in 2009.

Choose one project that has been on your mind, or to-do list, for months (i.e., getting a picture framed, organizing photos, planning an event, etc...) and do it BEFORE 12/30/08. You'll feel accomplished AND you'll be stepping in the right direction for 2009.

Oh, and clean your house too. :)

Happy Holidays!

Don't Forget Your Favorite Charities...

Pic: Louie B (a shelter dog) pretending to earn his kibble.

I'm a huge animal lover! I always have been. I remember getting bit on the face as a child by a dog and telling my mom it was my fault for sneaking up on him. I still have the scar from that incident. But, I never once stopped supporting animal related causes. I suppose I'm a die-hard.

Each year at Christmastime, my dear friend Tara and I contribute money in each other's names to animal-centered organizations. I do the same for my mother at Mother's Day and on her birthday.

No matter what cause you feel close to, don't forget about them during times like these. We all seem to be a little more generous around the holidays. This year is slightly less-so due to economic concerns, but it shouldn't mean that our most loved charities have to bear the brunt of it. I'd rather pick up one less "gift" and contribute more in times like this.

Please consider making a donation in your loved ones honor or memory this holiday. It will make a greater difference that you know.

Happiest of holidays,
Lisa

176.2

Luckily, I'm not one to discourage easily. In three weeks since my last post not one ounce has budged. I am thankful to not have added one however.

Why has my weight stayed the same?
I haven't worked as hard as I should have on the food front. I only made better choices a handful of times and allowed my cravings to dictate my eating schedule and menu.

What have I done well these last three weeks?
I have hit the gym 5 days each week for at least an hour. Its a habit I'm enjoying. I enjoy it most because it represent my taking ownership of my choices and my body. It feels good to work out. And, it feels great to turn off the phone to do so. No one interrupts my gym time. Not even me.

What do I have to focus on in the next three weeks?
1. Consistently hitting the gym
2. Adding an online training partner and coach to do the best I can with my fitness routine
3. Dedicate myself to eating well (healthful) each day for this next three week period to prove the power of doing so

I'm feeling better already. Although the weight hasn't budged I am seeing benefits of taking the control for my figure and health back.

And, I have another incentive. I'll be at the Inaugural Ball on January 20th. I'll be seeing all of my friends from the DC area. I want to look good for that event too.

Here's to your health!

Lisa

2009 Resolutions

Its just a few weeks away. 2009. Tell it what you expect of it now. Don't enter it blindly.

What do you want to accomplish in 2009?

What are your personal goals? Financial goals? Spiritual goals? Career or business goals? Heck, I even have goals for home projects. I work them into the budget and give them time lines.

What is the benefit of having goals?

It helps give structure to your life. And, most of us need and thrive on good structure. It gives us purpose and direction.

How do I stay on track?

Have all of your goals written down and review them weekly at first, then when you are on the right path, monthly. Share them with others in your life and have discussions about them. Invite others to share their goals with you. Recognize that your goals were made because they were important to you so stick with them. Don't let another year go by to find them on the list with little progress. You control the success of your goals.

Happy Goal Setting. I hope that 2009 is your best year ever!

Trim the Fat.... its long overdue

I try to navigate around all of the negative talk- recession, lost jobs, no money.... yadda yadda yadda. It does little good to hear it. And, even worse, to hear it frequently is enough to make sure your will is up to date and check your supplemental insurance fine lines.

Make no mistake, I'm far from the "safe zone" as I have 2 of 4 family members being laid off this year (in manufacturing and labor positions). But, I don't think that surrounding yourself with this type of discussion does anything positive to move you and your family forward.

Winners don't wallow. They assess, pick up, and move on.

Now, on to the point of my blog. Get your firing gloves out. Not the ones for pottery. The ones that you wear when you have to let people go. Its unpleasant but necessary. Especially necessary now, if you ask me. You should have done it long ago but you thought you'd let them slide. Slide no more.

Take a hard look around and fire the people who shouldn't have been on the payroll to begin with. They don't do their work well. Their position is obsolete. They have no productive place in your shop.

Recognize your responsibility. You have a responsibility to keep your business profitable or afloat during hard times. You have a responsibility to your employees to give them a decent, safe, and positive work environment. Now, they have a responsibility to you. They have the responsibility to show up, do well, and take their job seriously. If they don't do that- get rid of them. If out of 8 hours you can only see 2 hours of production- you have a responsibility to investigate that. How can that be positive and productive for your business- and for your harder working employees?

Now, I'm not advocating firing from the hip or haphazardly. There is a right way to do it and many wrong ways. You also have the responsibility to ensure people know what gets them fired- and what keeps them on. And, you have a responsibility, in my opinion, to train or retrain them to see if you can keep them on. But, if not, let them go and show your respect for your business and your harder working employees.

We can all cut the fat- in our work and home lives. Its a necessary element to growth and productivity.

Get firing. If you can't do it, hire someone who can and will.

Happy Holidays. (insert tongue in cheek here)

Massage Get One.

A quick note today.

How often do you get a massage? Never. Oh, you are missing out.

Massage is good for the body, mind and soul. I go every 4 weeks. I'd like to go every week.

If you've never had one and are hesitant- have a foot or hand massage. Or, have a chair massage fully clothed.

There are all different types of massages and they focus on different parts of the body. For instance, a great hair shop normally gives clients a good scalp massage when washing their hair. If you've ever had one of these you know it! It feels great.

Try a massage today. Book a long-overdue massage. Your body, mind and soul will thank you for it.

Perhaps a great gift idea for you and your loved ones.

Phone Etiquette

In a conversation at a networking meeting last week someone brought this subject up, again. Phone etiquette. Do you realize how important it is?

How many times do you have to ask, "what?" when someone speaks to you on the phone? Sometimes the way they answer allows you to see their messy desk and dash across the office with their phone in hand. They are speaking so quickly you have to ask what language they are speaking in. Or, you are tuned in to the fact that they hate their job. You can hear that in their voice too.

Have a training for your staff on communications. Include telephone etiquette and express why its important.

Basic tips:

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Repeat and confirm critical information (phone numbers, credit card details, dates and times of appointments, ...)
• Be pleasant and polite
• Don't allow your personal life in your phone voice or conversation with a client or potential client
• Follow the Golden Rule

Why is phone etiquette important?

• You and your company will be judged by how someone answers and is treated on the telephone
• Clients call you. Clients are revenue. Upset clients. Upset revenue.
• You have an opportunity to promote you, your business, your product and your philosophy when you interact with someone on the telephone- use it to your advantage
• You have a responsibility to be a good steward in the community and here is one of many chances to do that. Treat people well and they will do the same for you.

Schedule that training today. Get company input. Reward great phone etiquette. Make 2009 your year to shine.