A Goal is a Dream...

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

- Napoleon Hill

I am just now putting the finishing touches on my upcoming talk (as in, this Thursday, August 20th) for the Career Networking Group of Basking Ridge, NJ. The topic: Practical Goal-Setting: From Intent to Achievement!

It's a talk I've given before but I always like to revise and tailor my speeches for the given audience. In revamping my comments for Thursday's group, I decided to include the above quote by Napoleon Hill. I think it's really a terrific way to think about goals. The fact is, we live in a world of deadlines, quotas, to-do's and must-do's. Often we are asked to pursue goals that don't have much personal meaning or significance. And while we can probably pull them off - at least to some extent - achieving someone else's goals isn't likely to provide us with a strong sense of accomplishment, pride or fulfillment.

So let me ask you: What are your dreams? How can you set inspiring goals to help you fulfill those dreams?

I'll be writing a number of posts over the coming weeks to help you set goals with personal and professional meaning, relevance, and motivational staying power. Tune in for more. And if you happen to be in Basking Ridge on Thursday, come join me. The event is free and open to the public. I hope to see you there!

Until next time...

Liz

Take Control of Your Time

Take control of your time. You'll be amazed at how focused, efficient and productive you can be.

Okay, here it is, almost 11:00 on a Monday morning, and I haven't yet made an appreciable dent in today's list of important and time-sensitive tasks. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't exactly been sitting around eating Bon Bons. (Makes me wonder, does anyone actually sit around eating Bon Bons? Surely there are other ways to kick back and kill a little time. But I digress...) In the past couple of hours, I've answered emails, read a couple of good articles, posted some timely tweets and engaged in a variety of other useful but non-urgent activities.

Does this sound familiar? How often do you find your morning, afternoon, even your entire day slipping away as you engage in a host of never-scheduled-yet-always-there-to-steal-your-attention, time-sucking activities?

Time is a precious commodity. As we all know, there are never enough hours in the day. So here's where I encourage you to do as I say, not as I (sometimes, I must admit) do. Decide what you absolutely must accomplish in a given day. Schedule these essential and perhaps time-sensitive activities for the very beginning of the day. Tackle them before you scan the morning's emails and don't allow yourself to get distracted. See how much you can achieve before 11 am.

When you take charge of your time in this way, you'll be amazed at how focused, efficient and productive you can be.

Until next time...

Liz

Weathering the Storm

I woke up this morning to the sound of robins chirping outside my window. Their lovely singsong chatter came from a new nest, hidden beneath the leaves of the magnolia tree in my front yard. My 6 year-old son and I watched it being constructed just last week. If you've ever watched a bird making a nest, it's really kind of an amazing process. Twig after twig, strand after strand of grass are carried to the "construction site" until the nest is sturdy and strong.

I was quite relieved to see the nest, still in fine shape, following the monsoon-like rains we've had over the past few days. The birds had built an amazingly solid foundation that kept them safe in the midst of some pretty fierce storms. They made it through, the sun is shining once again, and life goes on.

Now that our own collective storm is passing - and signs do show that the Great Recession is finally coming to an end - how prepared are you to meet the opportunities that await? Are you looking ahead with optimism? Are you ready to shake off the gloom and fear that have been holding us back?

The recovery is coming. Be prepared. Your attitude - and your actions - will impact how you emerge from this powerful but passing storm.

Until next time...

Liz

Career Success Tip #17: How to Stand Out in the Crowd

Sometimes it really is the small stuff that makes all the difference.

On my drive home from an out-of-town meeting yesterday, I decided to make a quick stop at the bank. The branch I stopped at isn't my home branch, so this was my first time there. It was pouring outside and I made my way to the entrance of the bank with umbrella, purse, and car keys in hand, trying not to get completely drenched.

When I got to the entrance, there was a bank employee waiting there, holding the door open for me, smiling warmly and welcoming me. Now, while my local branch is full of friendly and helpful employees, no one has ever held the door and welcomed me in this way. I have to tell you, it felt very nice. This same fellow opened the door for me when my transaction was complete, thanked me for my business and wished me a wonderful day. Again, very nice.

Was this extra layer of customer service really necessary? Would I have noticed or missed being welcomed to the bank, had there been no one waiting at the door? Certainly not. But it was a lovely added touch that made me want to return to that branch in the future.

So here's something for you to consider: How do you differentiate yourself from colleagues and competitors? How do you make yourself especially valuable and memorable to your clients, boss or team?

To truly stand out in the crowd, you've got to go beyond simply doing your job well. Instead, you've got to go the extra mile and add value in a unique and impressive way.

After all, sometimes it really is the small stuff that makes all the difference.

Until next time...

Liz

The Importance of Stretch

To be successful and fulfilled in your career - and in life - remember to stretch yourself on a consistent basis.

Earlier this month, I flew out to California and had the great delight of hitting the beach in Carlsbad (San Diego area) with my three awesome nephews and wonderful sister-in-law. As I wasn't traveling with my own kids, I took advantage of the opportunity to kick back on my beach chair, open a leisure book and simply relax. I watched my nephews hit the waves on their boogie boards and smiled and waved as my sister-in-law succumbed to their earnest requests that she join them in the water. Looked like fun, but hey, I was in relaxation mode.

Until, that is, my nephew, Noah, asked me to boogie board with him. Now this kid is sweet as can be and, in truth, very difficult to refuse. So, despite my desire to just vegetate in my beach chair, my concern about the 'chilly' water, and just a bit of trepidation about hitting the waves, I got off my behind and joined him in the surf. He gave me some pointers on catching the waves properly and offered me his board.

Let me tell you, it was one of the most fun and exhilarating experiences I have ever had. What a complete joy to catch and ride a wave right up to the beach line. I mean, I was smiling ear to ear and literally laughing out loud!

The point? Well, boogie boarding initially felt like a real stretch for me. I'd never done any sort of surfing before and was far more comfortable just staying put in my beach chair with my book. But once I'd ventured out and pushed beyond my comfort zone, the reward was tremendous. I felt more confident, competent, masterful, proud, adventurous, and eager to take on the next challenge. (This challenge came just two days later, by the way, when my brother took me for a ride on his Spyder roadster - check out the link, it's very cool! But that's a whole other story...)

To be successful and fulfilled in your career - and in life - remember to stretch yourself on a consistent basis. Extend your comfort zone. Try new things, move beyond what you've already experienced and mastered. If you feel intimidated or unsure, that's probably a good sign. As the saying goes, feel the fear and do it anyway! That's the key to continued growth and a well-earned sense of accomplishment.

Until next time...

Liz

Effective Communication Tip #12: Watch Your E-Tone

A client of mine recently forwarded me an email exchange she had with the president of a well-known, well-respected organization. The exchange started in a benign enough manner. My client had a straightforward question to ask and she posed it in a warm and respectful manner.

The response she got from this senior leader was clear and concise. And more than a bit cold, harsh and abrasive sounding.

This sort of thing happens all the time. Email can be a wonderfully convenient and expedient means of communication. It can also be the source of misunderstanding and unintended conflict. Because email doesn’t carry an audible tone, we automatically project the tone we “hear” in the written message. More often than not, we hear a colder, perhaps more hostile, tone than the sender intended.

So be careful in the way you interpret – and respond to – email messages. When uncertain about the intended tone, give the other party the benefit of the doubt. Respond more kindly and respectfully than you might wish to. Remember, the person at the other end of your email is likely reading into your tone as well.

Without a doubt, email is a nearly indispensable tool for business and personal communication. Just be sure to watch your e-tone. And don’t neglect the good, “old fashioned” phone call or visit. Live communication is considerably more reliable than email - and far less likely to lead to misunderstanding, hurt or angry feelings, and unintended conflict. 

Until next time...

Liz

What's Your Vision?

Last week, for the first time in years, I attended a yoga class. I loved it! It was somehow simultaneously invigorating and relaxing, and I left the class feeling calm, focused, and reflective.

I went with my neighbor, Linda, who has been encouraging me to join her for some time. Living right next door to me, Linda sees firsthand just how busy and - let’s be honest – how hectic and fragmented my life can sometimes be. Perhaps you can relate.

Do you wear more than one hat? Do you find yourself continually multitasking, as you strive to the meet the demands of your career, the needs of your family, and the desire to make a contribution to your community? Do you struggle to eke out a few minutes each day during which you can get a little exercise, eat a nourishing meal, slow down, flip through a magazine, or read a good book?

If so, it’s time to step back and ask yourself the following: What’s it all for? Where am I heading with all of this activity, all of this busyness? What do I want to achieve – and why do I want to achieve it?

Use the answers to these questions to start developing – or refining - your personal and professional vision. Your vision is what brings meaning and purpose to your everyday activities. It’s what guides and drives you. It’s what brings it all together.

It’s not enough to simply reflect upon these things. Dedicate some time to the process. Write it all down. If you’d like, I’ll be glad to send you my “Career Considerations” worksheet. This is a tool I’ve developed for my coaching clients and you can use it to create your professional vision, personal vision, family vision, organizational vision, community vision… well, you get the idea. Just call 800.846.4546 ext. 103 or send me an email: liz@bywaterconsultinggroup.com.

Until next time…

Liz