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

#Makeitso

Our focus this month is on Anticipatory Leadership.  A good practical way to sum up what Anticipatory Leadership comes from the words of Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time who said, “Some people skate to the puck, I skate to where the puck is going to be.”

But… you don’t have to be "at the top" of your game, your organization, team or family to be an Anticipatory Leader. You see often the false belief that it is only the people "on top" that are called to be anticipatory leaders. The CEO, The Chairman of the Board , the person who signs the cheques. 

Yet I love that quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote: “The person who understands how will always have a job. The person who understands why will always be his or her boss.”

Anticipatory Leaders understand why - because we are all called to be Anticipatory Leaders …. whether in our personal or professional lives.

Your ability to lead forward will help you to move forward - and isn't that a goal we all share?

If you do not want to ‘get stuck’ – then keep leading forward – it is the best way to move forward. We do that by responding not reacting. We do that by anticipating not just accelerating.

So this month, we unpacked how to do that, by looking at what it takes to be an Anticipatory Leader by asking three questions on the  You Can Make It So Podcast

Who is a Leader who Anticipates ? - Episode 88 

What is Leadership that Responds ? - Episode 89

How can Virtues help you to be an Anticipatory Leader ? - Episode 91

We also welcomed a stellar guest - Matt Mayberry  - who spoke to us about a crucial element of anticipatory leadership in any size organization, team or group of people - Culture. His book Culture is the Way was our focus. It made it to our 23 Books for 2023 list. Listen to his interview, and his insights - Episode 90 of our Podcast

Why are these relevant?

Well, because while one of the things that often separates a good leader from a great one is that ability to anticipate.

And - one thing that separates a good organization from a great one – is the Culture.

Both Leadership and Culture without the positive virtues within a leader - is like breathing without oxygen - neither good or great

So if you want your organization, team, and even family unit, to not be  void of greatness – then it is important to take some time exploring how your current leadership relates to the well-being and trust of those you lead – no matter whether that is one person or 100 people.

I see too many leaders, business owners, executives -  chasing and not anticipating.

They chase cash – believing it will solve their problems – but no systems in place for revenue – the cash soon dries up and off they go on the chase again.

They chase position – if they get that new job, new client, new target – then they will be enough – soon they realize it isn’t – and off they go on the chase again.

They chase a success found in today, and maybe for today it comes, but then tomorrow arrives – and off they go on the chase again.

Even the longest Marathon comes to an end – so stop chasing – be a Leader who anticipates!

Being an Anticipatory Leader is crucial to success.

So skate not to where the puck is – but where the puck will be!

I’d love to help.

A lot of my one to one work is with leaders like you - helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Whether that be one to one coaching or team coaching. Do not hesitate to Contact me  – together we can finish 2023 strong by giving you tools to review the year, and set habits of success for 2024 as Anticipatory Leader!

#makeitso

 

A greatly overlooked ingredient to successful organizations and leaders is the ability to create and sustain momentum

John Maxwell often says describes momentum as either a “maker” or a “breaker” of success and longevity in business. Check here for a great blog by John Maxwell on this subject. 

Momentum is key to any business's success and can often be elusive, which is why it is so important to know how to build a momentum model.

On our Podcast this month. We are outlining : 

5 Strategies of Momentum (Episode 85)

4 Questions you need to ask when it comes to Momentum (Episode 86)

3 Key Principles of Momentum (Episode 87)

Here at Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we share a model with our clients when it comes to accessing and sustaining their momentum. It is a model focussed on ensuring an understanding of “Who” before “Do”. Understanding “who” you are (what your message is) before you starting “doing” what you want to be about. To understand this principle – take a listen to this You Can Make It So Podcast Episode

Knowing your “Who” before “Do” will give you momentum – and here are three steps to aide with that

Step 1: Clarity

Clarity is king in building momentum. When the leader becomes clear, everything and everyone in the business becomes clear. A company should be able to state the message of their company in a clear sentence and have a rally cry of four words or less. The right words produce momentum.

For ourselves at Phoenix Life Coaching our mission is to work with business owners helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity toward results that reduce anxiety and increase profits. 

Our rally cry is #makeitso

Becoming clear about what you do and how you do it is a step to building clarity. Clarity produces momentum. The differentiator between successful companies and average ones is that successful companies know their message and stick to it.

We did an entire series – Episodes 14-18 - on the value of clarity – check it out here

Step 2 Make it Known 

Each September, I offer a free 30-minute call to anyone looking to improve their business through efficiency, growth, processes or time management.  I’ve done these in the past, and am happy to say I have seen a noticeable improvement in many businesses and the processes of business owners.

🔗 Book a consult today with this link 🔗

#makeitso

We all have moments when things overwhelm us. So what do we do – well here are 10 things we can do if we are in a rut

1. Work on the Small Tasks

When you are in a rut, tackle it by starting small. Clear away your smaller tasks which have been piling up. Do your laundry, make a snack, take out the trash. Whenever I finish doing that, I generate a positive momentum which I bring forward to my work.

2. Do a Fun Task

Get yourself away from anything that weighs your down, maybe its your desk, your room, and go take a walk. Go for a short walk (even just to get the mail), go out and get a snack. Take a Bike Ride or check out the mall. Your mind is too bogged down and needs some airing. Sometimes I get new ideas right after I walk away.

3. Upgrade Yourself

Consider learning something new. Lots of apps and webinars are short. Consider a language, a new task, or watch a video about an area of your life you always wanted to learn a bit more about (eg a hobby, task or talent). Does this work – yes, the modern computer uses different typefaces because Steve Jobs dropped in on a calligraphy class back in college. How’s that for inspiration? Check out this great article by Entrepreneur Magazine

4. Talk to a Friend about something except what is getting your down

Talk to someone and get your mind off stuff for a while. Talk about anything, from casual chatting to a deep conversation about something you really care about. You will be surprised at how the short encounter can be rejuvenating in its own way.

5. Forget About Trying to Be Perfect

If you are in a rut, the last thing you want to do is step on your own toes with perfectionist tendencies. Just start small. Do what you can, at your own pace. Let yourself make mistakes.

6. Paint a Vision to Work Towards

If you are continuously getting in a rut, maybe there’s no vision inspiring you to move forward or you have forgotten the one you already have. Think about why you are doing this, and what you are doing it for. What is the end vision in mind? Make it as vivid as possible. Make sure it’s a vision that inspires you and use that to trigger you to action.  I did a Podcast episode on this - take a listen to Episode 14 here 

7. Read a Book (Or Blog)

The things we read are like food to our brain. If you are out of ideas, it’s time to feed your brain with great materials. Check out our 22 Books for 2022. My weekly E Newsletter offers suggestions of books, movies and apps to check out – look them up or drop me an email and I will send you a full list.

8. Discern the Reason for the Rut

You might recognize that you are stuck in a rut, you might not know what the next step should be. One thing to remember is that not all ruts are the same. Figure out what's causing your discontentment before you make any drastic changes in your life. Consider working with a coach. Don't criticize or berate yourself once you understand the root cause of your feelings.

9. Remember Why You Are Doing This

Sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do, and after a while we become jaded. A quick refresher on why you even started will help.

What were you thinking when you thought of doing this? Retrace your thoughts back to that moment. Recall why you are doing this. Then reconnect with your reason. Simon Sinek has a great Ted Talk on this - check it out here 

10. Find Some Competition

Nothing quite like healthy competition to spur us forward. Set for yourself small reasonable targets as part of the bigger goal and work toward those small targets and don’t let the big picture overwhelm you. If you want to know if your targets are on track drop me an email.

Always know that you are not alone…. I am here to support you in One to One Coaching - drop me a line

#makeitso

As another year comes to a close, and what a year 2021 has been. We are anticipating 2022 with great hope and eagerness. With our one to one coaching clients, right now, we are envisioning 2022. It's based on 5 principles:

1. See the Possible. You often experience what you expect. To achieve your highest potential, you have to shift your thinking.

2. Be Done with the Past. If you are committed to moving confidently into the future, you must first be done with the past.

3. Sketch Your Future. Look ahead to the coming year and distil your dreams into #Makeitso™goals.

4. Grab Your Why. Get connected to your motivations; they create momentum.

5. Makeitso™. Propel your goals into strategic action to start well and stay on track all year.

When we take charge of what we can control, outside stressors lose their sting. You can create the environment for you to flourish.

We want to make it easy to look after your needs. In 2022 we will be introducing:

“You Can Makeitso™” Podcast - launching early in 2022

Makeitso™Platform - a developing library including Podcasts, Webinars, Books, Resources, and Self - Assessments

Makeitso™ Journal - look for it in the new year - its spectacular!

Expanded opportunities for all of our Full Coaching Clients including expanded text support, our “Client Connect Email” with our ‘Tool Box’, “Inter Nos” a monthly special newsletter for our Full Coaching Clients, quarterly webinars and of course our bespoke one to one coaching offered at your pace and schedule.

Looking ahead to 2022, you may have questions about what’s on the horizon and how it will affect your goals, we can help. Our Phoenix team is ready with expert advice and personalized solutions to help keep your ambitions on track — drop us an email - talk to us.

We have been sharing the principles of our #Makeitso movement which is dedicated to helping you celebrate your ‘wins’, help you tackle your ‘woes’ and make your ‘wants’ something that becomes a met achievement. Check out the details on our blog

Principle # 5 - Not Efficient but Effective

 

The urgent vs. the important.

We grapple with it every day in our work and our daily life.

The urgent is staring us in the face: the email that demands to be answered or the Zoom call you’re already three minutes late for.

The important is gentler and less insistent. It speaks with a still, small voice.

It’s so very easy to let it languish.

But if we do, we pay the price later in the form of missed opportunities.

People who should have heard of you…haven’t. And invitations and contracts and job offers that should have gone to you…go to someone else.

Should you be efficient? Yes, you should be. But like time management, eventually, you hit a wall.

I’m all for efficiency when it matters, but to go one step further, some activities are by nature not inherently efficient but they are effective in the long term.

Sometimes you need the gifts of space and time. You need uninterrupted, unhurried time to explore whatever you need to explore, relationally or otherwise.

In all matters where you can be efficient, do it. An accounting system that cuts the time in half is probably worth whatever it costs. Ditto with email, routine meetings and so much of what occupies daily life.

But as efficient as you may become, you only have so many hours in a day. And part of what you do will never be fully efficient.

Stop asking yourself how to be more efficient. Start asking yourself how to be more effective. Becoming more effective might mean you cut 6 efficient things out of your life. Sure, you may be efficient at a lot of things, but being efficient at things that don’t matter isn’t a win. It’s a loss.

Becoming more effective might mean you cut out six meetings you don’t need to be at or that someone else can represent you, so you can have a full day to ponder and think about the future, or to work on your message, company long term vision, or to handle those difficult personnel problems that never go away.

It might mean you hire someone, or employ a consultant, to do a task so you can focus on the highest value activities that move your mission forward.

Don’t ask yourself how you can be more efficient. Ask yourself how you can be more effective.Don’t ask yourself what is urgent, ask what is important.

So Principle # 5’s take away is this question: What is one thing that occupies a great deal of your time? Click here and let’s take that answer and transform it effectively.

#makeitso

Over the past three weeks we have been sharing the principles of our #Makeitso movement which is dedicated to helping you celebrate your ‘wins’, help you tackle your ‘woes’ and make your ‘wants’ something that becomes a met achievement.

Our first Principle was Everything is “figure-outable.” and our second was Momentum not Perfection. Principle # 3 was Fear is Free, Hope takes Work. Principle # 4 - Basics Produce Breakthroughs

Not every road is a straight line. Journeys can be fluid. Creating opportunities to adapt and re invent are often needed in life. If you are a weekly client you know that from the start that I state “there is no magic bean”. It is not “one thing” that causes “wants” to become “wins”, it is keeping to the basics. As my Mom use to say “track your pennies, and watch them become dollars.”

Our approach invites clients to begin looking at the Basics in order to produce Breakthroughs. We get that started by reviewing with our clients their values (we do a values assessment in our first session) and then we tackle putting together Goals and we write a Vision Script (like a personal Mission Statement). We then put together an Action Plan (road map) together which includes a 90 Day Plan and detailed SMART goals. These initial sessions are imperative for they form the basics you need to turn “wants” into “wins”.

After that our sessions become about “checking in” and giving you the “tool box” to transform the basics into breakthroughs. Each session gives you momentum, a new progressive tool, accountability and within a few months, your tool box fine tunes your values, vision and action plan from basic steps into strides. These strides become Breakthroughs on the road map. Here again, an outside impartial voice of a coach is crucial.

Coaching helps you see the steps, stomp the stumbles and seek the progress you desire. It helps you progress faster and further. Yes its an investment, but its an investment in you!

So Principle # 4’s take away is this question: What basics are part of your daily routine. Are these set up to turn a ‘want’ into a ‘win’? Click here I would love to tell you more. #makeitso

 

Over the last couple of weeks we have been sharing the principles of our #Makeitso movement which is dedicated to helping you celebrate your ‘wins’, help you tackle your ‘woes’ and make your ‘wants’ something that becomes a met achievement.

Check out the details on our blog of the first two: Everything is “figure-outable.” and Momentum not Perfection. We go into deeper detail on the blog and remember if you don’t have ‘a biggest fan’ in your personal goals -click here because its time to get one.

Principle # 3 - Fear is Free, Hope takes Work
Have you ever experienced the feelings of fear and hope in equal measure-- like in the moment of going on an interview for your dream job or the occasion of becoming a parent? Informed by a number of varying (and sometimes deeply personal) circumstances, Fear shows up in all facets of our lives. Sometimes it is meant to protect us or a powerful tool of personal insight. Fear can be a sign to explore the wisdom of an upcoming action, a relationship or a possible venture. Ask yourself, what is your Fear trying to tell you? That is the free part. Then there is Hope.

You see, sometimes, Fear can also be a hurdle you need to overcome. Going for that dream job, means overcoming the Fear of not getting it, and in time, maybe even leaving the security of the one you have. Hope takes work. Hope is the call to see the potential, in spite of the Fear. When we go for that new job, there is Hope. When that new venture, new child, new relationship is on the way, there is Hope. Guaranteed there is Fear, but Hope, takes work to find. Hope is about boundaries, its about the time you need, and the space, to see insights and choose what best honours your needs. Here again, an outside impartial voice of a coach is crucial.

Coaching helps you to see Fear and Hope for what they authentically are both meant to be. Sometimes without coaching, the free price of Fear halts us from work that Hope calls from us.

So Principle # 3’s take away is this question: What guides you more - Fear or Hope? - Click here I would love to tell you more. 

So – let’s #Makeitso!

 

Over 40 men in the past 12 months have been part of one to one coaching with us. They are "living in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow." It has been humbling to witness and work within their success stories. Our goal is simply to give them the tools to #Makeitso. Last week we began looking at the Principles that are at the core of what we coach, and what I have learned in my almost 25 years of coaching and counseling.

The first principle was - Everything is “figure-outable.” and the take away was this question - who is “coaching” or “mentoring you?” We all do need someone who will be our biggest fan, someone who will keep us accountable, someone who will authentically give us perspective. Someone who is already at tomorrow, and will help us live that way today. Having a coach is imperative to seeing things as “figure-outable”. If you don’t have ‘a biggest fan’ in your personal goals - click here because its time to get one.

Principle # 2 - Momentum not Perfection
Uncertainty and fear try to paralyze. It’s why, whenever I felt anxiety rise, I prayed for guidance, sent an email, made a call, took some action. Certainty feels good but can lull us to sleep. Uncertainty prompts you to get moving. I believe we often live in one of four zones: Preparation, Apathy, Chaos or Momentum. The goal is Momentum. Being in momentum, and not waiting for “the perfect” moment, keeps us in ‘motion’ toward our goals. Now, its not just motion for the sake of motion, its directed and goal based actions, but it’s momentum not perfection that will win the day.

When we hit a road block, stumble on a steadback, or fall into a failure we are often moved out of the Momentum Zone into one of the other zones... we either kick back to the 'preparation' of starting to try to find a way out, we roll into 'apathy' with a desire to wait it out, or we jump into 'chaos' trying to just get out. But it is the steady 'momentum' that actually ensures the job is done. Now that is so easy to say, and yet such a mountain to do. Often, by the time we recongnize where we are, the momentum is a struggle. Again, its why one to one coaching is helpful. In one to one coaching you are able to have someone who instantly "knows the zone" and has the tools and the accountability that helps you 'get into the zone' that makes the difference.  

So Principle # 2’s take away is this question: What zone are you in most often? Here is a good way to know. Do a simple "24 Hour Zone Time Challenge". Write down (or voice record), every ten minutes what you are doing. Of course when your sleeping you don't have to wake up everyday ten minutes to say your sleeping. Then next day, take a look. How much 'momentum" toward living in a way today so you can thrive tomorrow was involved? If you are finding that its not momentum, then with respect to your goals - what is it - apathy, chaos, preparation? If you do this challenge, honestly, it will change your perspective on your day. It will also authentically tell you if you are working toward your goals. If you want more details on the four zones, where you are at, and how to get into the Momentum Zone most often - click here I would love to tell you more.

Do consider being part of the Phoenix Men who are daily succeding, and LIVING IN A WAY TODAY THAT WILL HELP YOU THRIVE TOMORROW!  Everything "figure-outable", but you have to be totally focussed on Momentum not Perfection!

So – let’s #Makeitso!