Culture is something that influences and impacts all of us.

The workplace for many people is almost like a “second home”. In fact, for some, they might spend more consecutive hours at their workplace than they do at their actual home. As a result, the culture of our workplace is consequential to our personal success. A healthy organizational culture: made up of life giving behaviors, practices, and processes - and whether they are aligned with our personal values - impact not only how we go about our day to day professional priorities, but also our personal thriving.  

I am invited by companies to come and reflect with them on what is being communicated by their company cultural behaviors, practices, and processes. Likewise, executive leaders themselves reach out because they feel off track with their personal behaviors, practices, and processes and how they are communicating what they value most in their careers. In both cases they feel there is a crack in how they go about processing, expressing and choosing their success – or as I like to put – “living in a way today that will help them thrive tomorrow”.

Culture begins with choices. One of my favourite writers is C.S. Lewis who observed, “Every time you make a choice, you are turning the central part of you – the part that chooses – into something a little different than what it was before.” Mere Christianity (ed. 1960)

The formation and prioritizing of Culture is about the choices we make and how we think, act, and interact because of them. Leaders have the responsibility to build the proper culture within their teams. They also have an individual duty to ensure their personal culture reflects the values they prioritize. It begins with a personal choice to Live for Excellence. This month on the You Can Make It So Podcast, we look at Culture – personal and professional.

In Episode 119 we take a look at the essential choices that we make which begin to underpin our culture. These choices then lead us to express our Culture in 4 Dimensions which impact the overall performance of an organization, and also impact individually how we succeed in our own performance. Check these 4 Dimensions of Culture in Episode 120

Both our reflection of choices, and our expression of the dimensions of culture, are more than just words. Words don’t built cultures and cultures don’t change by themselves. True culture change and success happens when these 4 Dimensions of Culture are prioritized and repeated to the point that they become ingrained into what an organization does daily and becomes common practice not only for the leader, but everyone in the organization – that is where culture excellence is found.

However, we know that there can be delays, setbacks and what I like to call – speed bumps – before  reaching and achieving a Culture that is life giving. We discuss these in Episode 121

Overcoming these speed bumps allows Culture to cascade. It is about changing old habits that no longer serve the best interests of all, into those that do – that takes buy in, not edicts. This is difficult when we are stressed or at the very least eagerly hungry for change.

When working with individuals and corporate clients one of the questions is “how long will this take?”

My honest answer is that it takes time and tremendous energy, often more than leaders thought, to reap and see the benefits of developing a healthy culture.

If we expect to put our personal growth, or our corporate cultural growth, in the microwave and “push the popcorn button” and all will be well, then before long, when the progress is slow, we disconnect and it’s not culture that will pop but the burnt smell of dysfunction. To believe otherwise imposes a morale buster and momentum killer on the progress you are gaining and leads to second guessing.

Leaders must be the voice of reason and standard bearer of the vision they see. It is one thing to create a buzz about culture, it another thing to cultivate a culture that embodies the core DNA of your organization so much that it leads not only to success on one year’s Profit and Loss Statement, but thriving in what counts even more as an organization – the on-going balance sheet of the people who have embraced what is your passion, your vision and your objective as a leader.

This is why a healthy culture begins with you. Our personal growth, consistency and focus on habit growth is the rally cry we must have as we determine a personal culture we wish to be a part of, and succeed in. It is why I like to say “Goals Gain, but Habits Hold”. A healthy culture is not just a goal, it is a consistent habit.

Not sure, what your first step should be, well try this. Be attentive to the places you go – coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores and even offices you visit – what do you observe about their culture, about the choices they have made, the values they up hold – being aware of what you see is a hint to what you priorities, relate to, or wish you had.

I’d love to help. At Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

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One of my favourite children’s stories is the story of the “Little Engine that could”. I remember loving it when my parents would read it to me, and in time when I read it too. It is a story of persistency, consistency and mindset.

Now admittedly as a child, I just thought it was cute and I just wanted to cheer when the little train was victorious, but through the years that have followed it has shown me a much more important realization …… that when all is said and done, if we choose ... it is possible. 

In my almost three decades of working with business owners, C-Suite leaders and emerging leaders, those who have reached satisfaction and success have been those who in gratitude accepted, and worked with, today, but never lost sight of the possibilities of tomorrow. …. The great leaders I have worked with have never sacrifice the important for the urgent. They handle the immediate problem and still make sure to secure the future. That choice, however, has not come without hurdles.

The most often, tackled hurdle is the temptation to “accept management of today”. This usually happens when we feel a bit overwhelmed, so our focus turns to “survival” and not “success”. We simply want to get as much done as we can to make the load lighter for today and “let tomorrow take care of itself”, becomes a mantra. I discuss that a bit in this article about whether we "Chase Cash or Seek Revenue".

While no one will argue making today lighter is a good thing, and sometimes a very necessary thing, the opportunity is to not forget to secure the future. This requires looking at what is making overwhelm happen today and, most importantly, what can halt it from repeating again. That takes discipline, and also a mindset change.

It is important to remember that people do not naturally resist change. People naturally resist being changed. And adopting a mindset that tackles the urgent, and the important, at the same time, and knowing how to do that,  is part of Excellence as a leader. I discuss this in Episode 118 of our Podcast.

Speaking of it, this month on the You Can Make It So Podcast, we have been focussing on Excellence in Leadership. Excellence, not only individually but also as a team. Excellence requires us to not sacrifice the important for the urgent and still make sure to secure the future.

Episode 117 - Excellence as a Team Leader - Take a listen

Episode 116 - 4C's of Team Building - Find out more

Episode 115 - The Pursuit of Excellence - Check out this episode

Episode 114 - Do’s and Don’ts of Problem Solving -   listen to this episode

We have also put together a great Master Class on Team Building using the 4 C’s. If you would like details on subscribing to this Master Class - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Leadership is influence—and you are a leader. That’s why it’s critical you keep sharpening your leadership. I’d love to help. At Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally  - reach out today 

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to be taken out on a private plane for my very own flying lesson. It was an impactful moment that has led me to yearn earning my private pilot’s license. During the lesson, I learned a great deal about instrument rating (which enables you to legally fly in the clouds). When you’re flying with zero visibility, pilots call it flying in the soup. 

So often as leaders, we often feel like we’re flying in the soup of changing expectations, overwhelming calendars, cultural shifts, and untested technologies. It is like leading in the clouds. The results could be we are lost “in the clouds”….. so what do we do ? I would like to share three strategies for staying agile in leadership while we feel "in the clouds". 

First, learn to trust your instruments.

A client of mine, whom I have worked with for several years (so he has become a friend too), has certain “tells”, which say to me he is “in the clouds”. One of them is he begins seeking “new books”. When I hear him say “I found this new book advertised on Instagram”, I know he is heading for the clouds. Why? Because he is looking for something emotionally, instead of trusting his instruments directly before him.

So often in the midst of a challenge, we scramble. Our first reaction is “it’s not working”. Your emotions are likely lying to you. To overcome this, you need to make informed decisions as you lead with agility.

Learn to interpret and trust your instruments. Trust the lessons you have learned, the things you have seen, and the habits you have in place, don’t start implementing a new habit in the midst of the clouds based on an emotion. In your organization: monitor your culture, study the numbers, look realistically at what you’re seeing in front of you. No matter what you feel, or how many legitimate reasons you have to be afraid, you have to have faith in the decisions you make from the instruments you’re discerning. So whatever the most important metrics are, dive deep into them and get a firm understanding of the facts not the emotion.

Second, make small constant corrections not big thrusts

Every passenger expects a smooth flight. It is no different “at the front”. But along the flight there can be turbulence. While you might seek to avoid such, the flight is not better if there is a large thrust away from the destination or a huge drop in altitude.

You need to avoid overcorrection. Get in a flow of constantly making small adjustments to keep your organization heading in the right direction. The goal is to see problems early and solve them quickly.

Based on the data you’re seeing, you’ll need to be constantly making small adjustments to keep heading in the right direction at the right speed. If you feel like you’re making constant, nonstop, small corrections, you’re very likely leading well. If you aren’t, you might be drifting away from you more than you realize.

Third, enjoy the view, but don’t get comfortable

When I first went to “sit up front”, I thought it was amazing to have the perfect view of everything. But then when I “took the wheel”, I learned how much work was involved in “piloting”. It is much the same when we are a leader.

At first the “view” from the corner office is pretty good, and we feel great about “being our own boss”, but eventually the work of “piloting” squarely impacts us. The discipline and consistency become our focus, and not just the view.

If we fail at that discipline and consistency, and just enjoy the view, then we succumb to the “curse of confidence.” According to the Dunning-Kruger Effect, those who are highest in confidence are often the lowest in competence. The things you’re absolutely convinced of may be your biggest points of vulnerability.

Self-awareness is incredibly important if you want to anticipate incoming leadership challenges. Take an honest assessment of the current state of your own leadership. If you’re going to learn to be a leader who anticipates challenges, you have to accept that what you "know” may be wrong.

Discover if you're too confident about what you know with this test: Keep track of how many questions you're answering versus how many questions you're asking. The posture of an anticipatory leader is curious and humble. If you are doing more talking then listening, well – to be blunt – you are in the clouds!

Once you’ve identified your own leadership blind spots, you need to look at every aspect of your organization—every product line, team, and major initiative. Figure out what is and isn’t working, and make sure you know why.

People often ask how I consistently make disciplined decisions. The answer? I make as many decisions as possible ahead of time. By doing this, I save time and decision-making energy. If you wait until you are 100% sure before adjusting, you will always be too late. Set back is as much a part of success as a takeoff and landing is a part of a flight.

If you want to “get out of the clouds” - become a leader who anticipates challenges, you need to develop awareness (trust your instruments), discern future threats and opportunities (make small constant corrections not big thrusts), and disrupt what is for what could be (enjoy the view, but don’t get comfortable).

Leadership is influence—and you are a leader. That’s why it’s critical you keep sharpening your leadership. I’d love to help. At Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#Makeitso

Our lives are busy with so much still to be done. And it got me thinking: “busy” should be added to the list of four-letter words!

Let me tell you why I think “busy” should be a word that causes moms all over the world to reach for the soap:

1. Busy focuses on the wrong thing.

One of Webster’s dictionary definitions of busy is “full of activity”, and it is easy to be active without getting much done. When we focus on activity, we can be busy. But when we focus on accomplishment, activity matters far less.

When you stop and think about it, busy is a four-letter word because it’s a seductive way to keep us from being accountable for accomplishing the things we want and need to do.

Leaders must constantly ask themselves and those they are leading, “Is this the best use of my time? Is this the best use of your time?”

The busy leader says, “My time is being used”; the effective leaders says, “I’m using my time.”

This lack of focus on how we are using our time, is what leads to Procrastination, which has been our focus on the You Can Make It So Podcast this month.

The Process of Overcoming Procrastination has 5 elements to it and I outline those in Episode 110 and Episode 111 – do check those out. As you do you will in all honesty tell yourself that overcoming Procrastination while a daily grind has also a lot to do with Achieving Goals or Adopting Habits which is inconvenient, it’s frustrating, and often, it’s emotionally draining. But it does not mean its not worth it - in fact - I firmly believe it makes all the difference between thriving and just suriving.

2. Busy is a justification.

We all have a to-do list, and for many of us, it feels never ending. We look at our too-long to-do list and tell ourselves that more things aren’t crossed off the list because it’s simply too long!

We tell ourselves we wouldn’t have so much to do if only we didn’t have so much to do!

That circular argument is ridiculous, but appealing. As a result, we continue building our list of things to do while simultaneously building our ongoing justification for not getting those things done.

Episode 112 we looked at 3 Crucial Actions you can take to overcome the justification of busy and its twin procrastination by Achieving Goals or Adopting Habits.

I also encourage you, when tempted here to give into busy, to go back to our Blog posts on Time Management and Time Blocking. They are among some of the great tools we have available on our Make It So Platform

3. Busy is an excuse.

Here an exchange you will recognize:

“How’s your project going?”

“Well, I’m not as far as I wanted to be—I’ve been so busy.”

“Gotcha. Thanks for the update.”

Busy is a pretty effective excuse. When we say we are busy, others often don’t ask a follow-up question. They take our “busy” at face value, which allows us to avoid any further, potentially unpleasant conversations.

Episode 113 is all about "the Procrastination Zone"  and the Five Excuses that we often tell ourselves – it is a must listen episode indeed.

Here's what I know:  it's easier to go from failure to success than it is from excuses to success.

Our goal is not to be busy. It’s to be effective. So, get your perspective right.

Change your thinking. Make a commitment to eliminate busy from your vocabulary.

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#Makeitso

A client once shared this with me … let me know if you can relate?

I sat down at my computer to do some writing for a report that was due at the end of the day – lots of time I though. Then I realized my coffee mug was empty. I went to the kitchen to make myself another cup. While I was in the kitchen, I loaded some dishes into the dishwasher and wiped down the cabinets. I headed back to my home office with my fresh mug of coffee and sat down at my computer again. It was time to write. So, I checked my Facebook. Then I checked Twitter. Then I responded to a few emails. I must focus! So, I opened the two documents I needed for the project I was writing on. Then I spent some time cleaning out my Twitter followers and reading some blog posts. Finally, I saw it was time to prepare supper. It was a busy day but I am not sure what I did all day or what I meant to do but I did a lot of things today, but I still have a lot to do.

Day after day, we often find ourselves overwhelmed, overworked, and not in control of our time. So we use "busyness" as a badge of honor. But the question is not are we “busy” (who isn’t), the question actually is – are we productive.

What is productivity ?

Creating good habits and untangling bad habits

so you can  achieve your outcome.

However, a real danger is that often our Habits can become Handcuffs – they are what can keep us where we are, and from where we want to be.

Yet here are two more truths:

     Everything worth doing has some sweat and hardwork involved!

     Everything worth reaching for is uphill with some kind of struggle.

So our habits are designed to take us Up Hill. But the question is do some of our habits in fact take us downhill?

Despite the ambition, commitment (and good intentions) we can find ourselves stuck in a rut and unable to move forward in achieving our goals. Often, the reason for this is that our habits are not in alignment with our goals.

Are your habits taking you uphill or downhill?  Not sure what I am talking about? Well take a listen to these episodes from our You Can Make It So Podcast

Episode 107 - Up Hill and Down Hill Habits

Episode 106 - Increase Capacity

I also encourage you to read our Blog posts on Time Management and Time Blocking. They are among some of the great tools we have available on our Make It So Platform

Preparation, engagement, understanding, knowledge, and planning are essential to success. I know, it’s obvious. But if these were easily incorporated into our habits, everyone would do them…  So.... newsflash: Everything doesn’t matter equally. Setting priorities is essential.

There are a lot of distractions in life and if we don’t have a system in place we can follow to filter that which is demanding our attention, that we can rely on as a framework, then we’re going to be, like my client in the opening story use to be  -  "busy" and not "productive".

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#Makeitso

I am often asked to speak to groups, or offer webinars, on such topics as conflict resolution, stress management, communication, work life balance and emotional intelligence. While all of these area fall under the umbrella of Personal growth, there are three things I try and keep in mind (and maybe you could too) especially as we continue to launch forth into 2024:

PERSONAL GROWTH REQUIRES US TO MOVE OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE.

I often like to say “staying put does not take us forward.”  Not growing does not help us to overcome obstacles. It does not lead to progress. You’ll never get anywhere interesting if you always stay put.

What does it take to get us to move out of our comfort zone and to move forward? Remember these two things:

Mistakes are not failures. They are proof that we are making an effort. When we understand that, we can more easily move out of our comfort zone, try something new, and improve.

Pressing Onward. The most common trait I have found in successful people is that they conquered the temptation to give up. Not being controlled by our feelings means that we can face our fears – an important part of growth.

PERSONAL GROWTH IS NOT SATISFIED WITH “QUICK FIXES.”

Everyone is looking for a quick fix. Personal growth doesn’t come to people who fixate on quick fixes. It comes to the slow but steady people who keep working at getting better. Shifting from quick fixes to continuous improvement means to follow the impulse to soar more than the desire to wallow – and to make that decision daily.

PERSONAL GROWTH IS A DAILY COMMITMENT.

It’s important for daily habits to have a daily touchpoint. Think about the things you keep close by. Would you wash your hands every day if the soap was three houses down? Would you remember to drink water if it was out of sight, and therefore out of mind? An activity I speak about often is the “Tomorrow Begins the Night Before”. Sort out your priorities and keep them close to you. Use whatever tools work most effectively for you. Our #Makeitso So Platform has over 100 tools and resources. Click here for more details.

This month on our You Can Make It So Podcast we have featured a few key episodes on Personal Growth:

Episode 105 - Tenacity

Episode 103 - The Dream Killer

Episode 102 - Strategy Matters - 3 Keys

Episode 101 - Being a Highly Productive Leader 

We also launched our 24 Books for 2024 year with two outstanding books:

Real Time Leadership - David Noble and Carol Kauffman

Executive Presence - Sylvia Ann Hewlett

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#Makeitso

Welcome to 2024, a brand new year brimming with potential and opportunity.

In these first few weeks of January, people are joining gyms, buying planners, and making bold claims of sweeping change in their New Year’s resolutions—a time-honored, but often fruitless tradition.

Unfortunately, the reasons people resist change, and why resolutions often fail, are nuanced and many. Some of us have a difficult relationship with change. Some don’t see their goals clearly enough. Some have trouble managing their priorities to make change happen. And for some, it’s a complicated mix of all three.

But for all the reasons they fail, there is one thing that all those who succeed have in common: commitment to a strategy.

The reality is this - When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.

If you want to experience transformation in the New Year, you must be committed – not merely interested. You must have a strategy not just a resolution. You must commit to habits not just a goal.

These four exercises will help you create that transformation:

1. Be Retrospective

How would others describe you? Would they say that overall you are a casual or a committed person? How about when it comes to the things that are important to you?

As you look at the change you wish to make is it rooted in your values? It’s difficult to develop commitment if you don’t see the fundamental reason for the change.

As you look at the change you wish to make are you willing to accept the cost? Every change has a cost both in success and also one to be paid for lack of commitment. The cost might be monetary, but often it is in time, access or other things you wanted or are doing. If you don’t devote yourself to the change you want to make, what will you forfeit? And on the other hand, if you accept the cost, what benefit will you gain?

2. Be Resolute

A standard of excellence motivates daily discipline. Think about the change you’re trying to make this New Year. How have you approached it in the past? Have you committed the kind of time, attention, and resources to it that will allow you to accomplish it with a high degree of excellence? Be resolute in your approach to it. Then use that experience to examine how you approach the rest of your year.

3. Be Resourceful

Change is uncomfortable, and commitment is almost always inconvenient. Plan ahead to ensure your follow-through. What is your strategy for winning the battle to stay committed to your goal?

Do you need inspiration or motivation? Think why you want to change, and keep reminders nearby to keep your resolution top-of-mind. Will accountability help you stay disciplined? Look for a coach to schedule weekly goal check-ins with you that will help you stay focused. Click here to find out more about One to One Coaching.

Use whatever tools work most effectively for you. Our #Makeitso So Platform has over 100 tools and resources. Click here for more details.

4. Be Open to Re Evaluating

Commitment may be the one thing that will make or break the change you want to create this year, but all commitment is, is daily management of one or a few critical decisions.

Have you already made a decision about what you will use this year to create? Ask yourself…

Do I know what daily disciplines and practices will help me bring about the change I want to accomplish this year?

Have I already made the decision to make and keep those commitments daily?

If I have, when did I make that decision?

What does that decision look like in practice?

As you review the above, I also want to encourage you to consider the Highly Productive Leader Challenge. It is a personalized 21 Day Challenge beginning January 5th that doesn’t create a resolution - but rather a Strategy.

The difference between goals that get realized, and goals that don’t, is the actualized presence or absence of a strategy and accountability.

Together we will ……

Master Your Time: Say farewell to distractions and hello to laser-focused clarity on your dreams and goals.

Feel Energized Again: Forget about feeling stressed out and exhausted. Spend each day energized and working toward what matters most.

Turn Your Goals into Reality: Ditch the endless to-do list that never get done. Start checking off your goals one by one—all without sacrificing time spent with family and friends.

Learn How to Kindly and Confidently Say No: No more saying yes to things you really don’t want to do or need to do.

Whether focusing on a healthier lifestyle, strengthening relationships, or achieving professional goals - hope, resolutions and determination will lead us there - but it is strategy and accountability that get us there!

You can sign up now.     BEFORE January 5th when registration closes.

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Wishing you a 2024 of Thriving!

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

     #Makeitso

Approaching year-end is like reaching the last few pages of an excellent book; there’s that bittersweet feeling where you’re excited to see how it ends but also sad that it’s almost over. That’s where we are in 2023—it just so happens that this is also the perfect time to reflect, learn, and plan. It is why we focussed this month of December on Refect, Refine and Ramp Up.

If December 2023 is like the bittersweet ending of a great book, then January 2024 represents the crisp blank pages of a book we’ve yet to write. Empty but overflowing with possibility.

We must recognize that it’s not always about taking giant leaps; often, the small steps have the greatest impact. It is discipline in Habits that add up, slowly but surely moving us closer to where we want to be.

Whether focusing on a healthier lifestyle, strengthening relationships, or achieving professional goals - hope, resolutions and determination will lead us there - but it is strategy and accountabilty that get us there!

This coming month our focus will be about learning lessons for future growth opportunities through a focussed 21 day period of strategy and accountabilty - our High Productive Leader Challenge.

The High Productive Leader Challenge will be limited in enrollment number with our Full Service Clients getting first spots. 

The difference between goals that get realized, and goals that don’t, is the actualized presence or absence of a strategy and accountabilty.

Our High Productive Leader Challenge is a personalized 21 Day Challenge begins January 5th (when all the hoopla of New Years is over) that takes the results of your Reflect, Refine and Ramp Up, and doesn’t create a resolution - but rather a strategy.

Imagine starting and finishing 2024 feeling ENERGIZED, AMBITIOUS, and on track to achieve your GOALS - you can sign up now.

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity.

Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me 

Wishing you a 2024 of Thriving!

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#makeitso

 

Michael Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA. But he only won 6 championships. Does that mean that the other nine seasons were failures? Absolutely Not!

There are days of success and days of struggle.

Some days we win, and the other days we learn!

Some days it’s your turn and some days it is someone else’s turn.

But every experience offers you a chance to learn lessons, re- evaluate goals and instill better habits. There is no day that is a failure.

The question should never be - Am I failing? The question should be am I improving?

With every set back or unmet expectation, am I getting better at what it will take to get me to where I want to be, so that the season I am in will be a championship season!

It is one of the reasons why I like “year end” - because it is a time to Reflect, Refine, and Ramp up, not from opposition found in an unmet objective, but toward the opportunity of a greater goal in the season ahead.

As you: wrap up 2023, how are you bringing your worth and value into 2024?

This is the time to Reflect, Refine, and Ramp up, not from opposition found in an unmet objective, but toward the opportunity of a greater goal in the season ahead.

That will be our focus this month in all our One to One Coaching sessions, and on our Podcast as we walk through these three steps toward ensuring you are ready for 2024:

Episode 97 - Reflect

Episode 98 – Refine

Episode 99 – Ramp Up

Remember at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity.

Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me 

 

Great Leaders Don’t Grow Alone

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Deadlines, and a to-do list that seems to get longer each day, often make us boldly trying to fulfill goals to “manage time better,” “be more productive,” and “focus on what matters.” Time Management seems to be an enduring dream, and a very real nightmare for many.

It is true that time is your most valuable, non-replenishing resource. You can always make more money, but you cannot make more time. You must learn to manage your time wisely. 

It is equally true that poor time management results in well intentioned leaders who consistently allow the urgent to overwhelm the important.

This month we focus on managing your time effectively as an important professional skill to develop. Having strong time-management skills can ultimately lead to accomplishing key goals and advancing in your career. It can also lead to a great sense of calm in your personal life.

On Episode 92 of the You Can Make It So Podcast we introduced Four Principles of Great Time Management.

1. Schedule your values.

2. Say ‘no’ to many small things to say ‘yes’ to a few big things.

3. Create artificial deadlines for increased effectiveness.

4. Empower others

These four principles aide us also in tackling a Myth of Time Management - Multi Tasking. 

The  title “Multitasker”  is a badge of honor many like to wear. It’s almost as if we celebrate being busy with many things more than being great at one thing. Don’t believe the multitasking myth. 

Doing more things does not drive faster or better results; doing better things drives better results.

And even more accurately, doing one thing as best you can drives the best results. This is why I like to say “One Person, One Problem, One Promise” Otherwise, if you commit to nothing you’ll be distracted by everything.

On Episode 93 we discuss a Time Management Myth – Multi Tasking

The power of choosing one priority naturally guides your behavior by forcing you to organize your life around that responsibility. Your priority becomes an anchor task that holds the rest of your day in place.

Great leaders confidently know where they get the most return and prioritize their time accordingly. These leaders experience the most success because they are secure enough to focus on mastering their one thing.

In order to remain focussed we often need assistance. This is why on Episode 94 we give insight to Time Management tip – Daily Templates

These templates help you:  Prioritize tasks, ensuring key ones are tackled efficiently. Automate the day, reducing decision fatigue. Batch tasks for increased efficiency. Protect deep thinking work and person time.

Your leadership will thrive if you refuse distractions and focus on doing what you do well.  

Time management skills are a constant practice when attempting to balance work and personal obligations. Another great tool is Time Blocking which helps you use your time carefully because it is a valuable resource.  We discuss it in Episode 95 of our Podcast.

A great book on Time Management and Tools for Productivity is – Come Up for Air – How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work by Nicholas Sonneberg. He is our guest this month in Episode 96 of our Podcast and his book is on our list of 23 Books for 2023. 

As you make your way through enhancing your skills at Time Management and becoming an even better steward of the greatest resources we have - time - please know I would love to help.

It is what I have done now for over 20 years – helped individuals and teams – lead with confidence and grow in clarity through one to one coaching or team coaching.

Do not hesitate to Contact me 

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