1. Don’t Go Another Day Without a Life Plan!
   Developing a Life Plan forces us to think through what we want to accomplish over the course of our life and to set specific goals to ensure our ultimate success. It’s a way to determine, and also be clear about, what is really important to you. Do you already have goals set in different aspects of your life? Are you setting your priorities based on them? Are you spending your time and energy in the right places, doing the right things? If you’re not sure, you need a Life Plan!


2. Fill Your Whole Tank
   Look at your life in a systematic way. Consider the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects. When these four components are in harmony, you will find a flow and doors will start to open. Ask yourself what you are doing daily to nurture these 4 aspects of your life. If one is being neglected, look at ways to concentrate on it. This will help you to stay focused and intentional about what you are doing personally and professionally.


3. Be Intentional About Having Healthy Disruptions in Your Life
   Take periodic breaks from your daily routines at work and at home. Read a magazine at lunchtime instead of working at your desk or run on your home treadmill while you watch the sun rise instead of racing to the gym! This kind of “change of pace” will actually increase your energy and renew your spirit. It also feels pretty darn good once in awhile!


4. Create a Revised Time “Budget” that Reflects Your Real Priorities
   Treat the time that you work like you treat your financial budget. As an example, if you want to save more of your money, a financial planner will ask you to look at how you currently spend your money and then help you determine where you are getting your greatest ROI and where you might be able to cut back. Try this same approach with the hours in your day. Looking at how you spend your time each day will show you places where you can gain some time before you even begin to reallocate your attention.


5. Establish Your Boundaries and Communicate Them
   Remember that you are the one making changes in how you prioritize your activities and live your life. No one else will set those important boundaries for you. And don’t expect everyone to know what your goals and priorities are. It’s important to be transparent about what you want and need. This sets healthy expectations for everyone.


6. Build Your Support Network and Actually Use It
   Surround yourself with people who fill your tank -- that give you energy just by being with them, inspire you to stay focused on what’s really important to you, and provide the moral support you need to keep your priorities straight. These relationships can also help fill any voids you have in your life from an emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual perspective. Reach out and build those relationships with old colleague friends, nieces and nephews, or with new friends you meet at a photography class, at church, on a community outreach board or even on one of those dreaded committees you said you’d never join.

Remember, as human beings we run on energy. Occasionally our tank is drained and we need to fill it up again before we can keep going. It’s up to us to maintain a level of full engagement in our lives. The more we do what fits into our Life Plan, the greater energy we will have, the more creative and focused we will be, and great leaders we will be for ourselves and others!

Learn more about how to be a Resilient Leader and SHAMBAUGH’s workshop series on Leading with Resilience - A Time For Reinvention! Consider purchasing SHAMBAUGH's practical workbook and guide on Tapping on and Managing Your Own Energy and Work Life. 

It seems as though, through the good times and bad, the one thing that has stayed constant in our work life this year is the value of building and sustaining supportive relationships. I know we’re pretty good at making and keeping friends; but at work, we seem to forget how important it is to connect with people. We focus on getting the work done and lose sight of how others in our organization can be a source of energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and even mentoring for us. We stay contained in our own group of colleagues and don’t think about reaching out to others to build a network that can support us on a daily basis, as well as help us reach our longer-term goals.

Now, I know all the reasons why we don’t do this. I’ve heard them over and over again. People tell me there is no time in the day to reach out to others – they have too much to do or they think others will be too busy to take the time to meet and get to know them. In many cases, they can’t imagine why these people in their organization, some who are often in higher positions than they are, would want to spend 20 minutes talking to them or having lunch together. And yet, these same folks acknowledge that the best way to be successful is to have a strong and diverse network of people who can help them gain insight, leverage resources and influence others.

Now more than ever before, the focus is on building supportive networks because organizations are changing rapidly as a result of the challenging economy and competition in the marketplace. I see new executive teams form and reorganizations occur as the norm rather than as a special event. And we all know that organizations are looking for new ways to bring value by generating broader collaboration and fostering stronger cross-functional relationships.

So there are good professional reasons to network, but I also encourage you to reach out to others for purely personal reasons. I think more people (outside of your work team) need to know who you are and the value you bring to the organization. While I realize that these new connections will be able to help you make better decisions and gain the support you need, I think it’s also important to socialize yourself in order to be able to seize new opportunities as they come along. That old saying of, “it’s not what you know but who you know” is still alive and well in business today.

And I know for sure that these new relationships – people you don’t ordinarily see on a daily basis – can become a tremendous source of energy and motivation for you. By seeing the organization from a different perspective and tapping into the world of someone who has an entirely different set of goals and challenges, you’ll begin to discover what you didn’t know! That’s what continuous learning – and being a resilient leader – is all about, after all.

By building these relationships and forming these new “connections,” you will be leveraging one of the key secrets I focus on in my new book. To lead effectively in these challenging times, resilience is an essential component of success. In the chapter on Connectedness, you’ll find 5 tips to get you started. Here’s a quick peek at what they are:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Build a broad and diverse network
• Have a plan
• Create your own Board of Directors
• Be open to and curious about everyone you meet

So, as we enjoy this holiday season and look forward to the new year, may we all remember what’s really important in our lives – each other. The greatest gift we can give is ourselves and the greatest gift we can receive is the connection we have with others. This is the perfect time to reach out and let someone new into your network. Send a holiday card or a leave a voice-mail message, but most importantly, let someone know you are thinking of them and wishing them a Happy New Year.

Happy Holidays my dear friends!

Building resilience means learning, growing and leveraging your own leadership skills.  Learn more about SHAMBAUGH’s executive coaching and leadership development programs by visiting our website at www.shambaughleadership.com.

In addition to writing these past few months, I’ve continued to speak at a variety of events throughout the country. Last week, I was invited by the University of Toledo (in Ohio) to address their business community. It was a unique event in that it wasn’t really a conference or a usual university offering, it was a “give back” by the University to their business leaders who are feeling the effects of our current economic recession. I spoke on resiliency, which I believe is one of the keys to success for any leader today, and I focused on one of the chapters in my new book- Continuous Learning.

While the University is reaching out to business leaders with all sorts of formal courses and lectures to support both the training and re-training of staff, I believe each of us needs to have the spirit of continuous learning as an integral part of our daily lives. Whether we are faced with an immediate need to learn something new in order to keep or get a job, or we are likely to remain in our current job for a comfortable period of time, I think we all become stronger leaders when learning is part of our life journey.

The first, and often the easiest, thing to do is to raise your self-awareness in terms of your leadership effectiveness. Based on two decades of research at SHAMBAUGH, I can tell you with confidence that the areas that will significantly impact your ultimate success include: power and influence, business savvy, encouraging innovation, managing change, building strategic relationships, strategic thinking, managing upward and effective collaboration. If your organization has a 360 assessment, I encourage you to leverage it to your advantage. As well, you need to have several individuals, whom you both respect and trust, give you on-going situational feedback on a regular basis. This is what keeps your self-awareness learning alive and relevant.

The second thing to do is to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile. When I’m talking to leaders about this, I often ask them to tell me about a time in their lives when they learned the greatest lessons or had their greatest break-throughs. Just about every story I hear involves an experience where they took a risk. Some have happy endings and some don’t. It doesn’t seem to matter. Our personal and professional growth can come from either one because it’s not the outcome of the experience that has the most significant impact on us, it’s the journey and what we learned along the way. So, try some new things!

And, it’s important to learn from your mistakes. Know that leaders become “great” leaders not from their successes, but learning from their list of mistakes. If you’re alive, you’re going to make them! It’s called being human. The only really fatal mistake is one that you don’t learn from. In many organizations, projects are reviewed in terms of “Lessons Learned” with the focus on improvement rather than blame. I think this is the mindset we all need to have when we know we’ve tried our best but things just didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to.

Lastly, remember to learn from others. I have always been a curious person. As a little girl growing up in the Midwest, I was always asking “why” or “how" questions because I didn’t want to miss out on anything happening around me. My father had a huge influence on me. Watching him build one of the largest general contracting firms in the country was one of my greatest learning experiences. And, I’ve had many others mentors throughout my career. Some I’ve learned from by simply observing them in action, others have been a source of information and insight, and many have given me feedback that was invaluable. Look around, learn what to do (and what not to do!) from others in every sort of business situation. This is what keeps you on the journey of continuous learning and gives you the foundation for being resilient throughout your life.

So, three things to remember, for continuous learning:

• Raise your self-awareness regarding your leadership effectiveness
• Get out of your comfort zone, try new things and learn from your mistakes
• Be curious and learn from others

If you would like to begin your journey of continuous learning, our SHAMBAUGH coaches can help you get started. For more information, contact Christine Maggio at cmaggio@shambaughleadership.com and we will find the perfect coach for you!

Women in Leadership and Learning Program - Register Now for Spring 2010 Session!

While many applaud her inspiring personal and professional journey, she is now in a different ball game and her previous accomplishments are not the only criteria for consideration. The Senate Judiciary Committee is deep into the investigative phase to determine whether she is capable of being a Supreme Court Justice and there’s lots of controversy about that. One of the most publicized controversies pertains to a statement she made about how a wise Latino woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life. You can bet that she will be asked about this kind of statement in her confirmation hearings.

While we wait to hear her response, we can all learn something from this particular experience. When you are a visible leader, your words can be very memorable and can be used to your advantage or, in some cases, can come back to haunt you. I address this in the chapter called Making Your Words Count, in my first book, It’s Not A Glass Ceiling, It’s A Sticky Floor.

Here are two specific guidelines to consider for Making Your Words Count:

1. Be intentional and aware of what you say and how you say it. As a leader, people are watching and observing you constantly to better understand your views, determine your level of substance and judge how you “come off” as a person. I always ask people to think about what they are going to say by asking themselves if they would want to see it as the front page headline in their local newspaper. 
2. When questioned about what you may have said:

• Don’t be defensive
• Understand why someone is asking before you respond
• Try to truly understand what they are questioning in terms of what you said
• Don’t let your response cause you more problems than your original statement

Here are a few other quick tips for Making Your Words Count:

1. Understand your audience- know what they want (and don’t want) to hear as well as how much detail they require at that time.
2. Make your contribution relevant by saying it at the right time, with the right message, to the right people.
3. Listen first and speak second- you can learn a lot in the first 90 seconds of a dialogue if you are not the one speaking.
4. Do your homework! Great communication is about being prepared to say what you are going to say and being able to answer reasonable questions about it.

For the latest on SHAMBAUGH news, events and information, visit www.shambaughleadership.com.

As I was driving back from that conference and I thought about what had been discussed, I realized that with all the challenges and uncertainty facing business leaders today, there is a bright spot to these times. Many of us, including myself, are getting back to the basics and re-prioritizing what’s really important in life. People are asking themselves, “Where do I want to spend my time and energy? Where am I going to get my greatest ROI?” This has caused people to simplify their lives both personally and professionally.

In particular, they are placing more value on health, friendships, and family. They are also re-evaluating their work and identifying specific areas of it that bring a sense of meaning, purpose and energy back into their day-to-day life. Many are exploring the idea of having a “life mission” and are actively considering how they can be a better neighbor to those around them versus working on their own personal agendas. They are also looking at how their organizations can create a climate of service to others.

This perspective is a major aspect of being resilient which means staying positive and optimistic, and operating with a sense of purpose and intention through difficult times. It calls for being courageous by taking (prudent) risks, getting out and trying something new that links to the worthy agenda of others, building alliances for the common good, and mentoring and coaching others.

To do this, you have to stay focused on a few key things that resonate with you in terms of what you truly care or are passionate about. This kind of sustainable focus allows you to not get distracted by turbulence. It also creates a significant source of energy in your life that translates into mapping out a plan and then executing that plan. By the way, these plans may have been in the back of your mind for a long time and are just now showing-up in these challenging times. Life seems to work that way!

When you are thinking about your own resilience, here are four things that I think are essential to keep in mind:

1. Your Personal Identity 
   Work shouldn’t determine who you are – you are not your job. You should have outside interests and activities that help define you. Map out your strengths beyond what you are doing now and expand your capacity and impact in areas that excite you. This means being true to your values while adapting to new times and changing situations.
2. Your Relationship to Money 
   Consider how much money you really need versus how much you want. People are simplifying. It helps you be more resilient and more flexible when you see how you can pare down to the basics. Prioritize and re-calibrate based on your values rather than your immediate desires.
3. Your Continuous Learning 
   As jobs and critical skill sets are evolving, it is important for you to see change as an opportunity to learn new things and build upon your past. Don’t let your role in your organization be de-valued. Stay ahead of the curve, be curious and take on new experiences. Build new skills that are in line with where the new global economy and your organization are headed.
4. Your Personal/Professional Network 
   We used to think you networked if you needed a job but, on a day-to-day basis, we didn’t have enough time to do it. With resiliency, this means that you appreciate your friends and colleagues and build these relationships as a way of living your life so they are there when you need them.

And, if you are wondering just how likely you are to be resilient at this point in your life, here are a few easy questions to ask yourself. The more times you answer yes, the more likely you are to tap into your resiliency factor!

1. ____ I’m usually optimistic. I see difficulties as temporary, expect to overcome them and believe things will turn out well.

2. ____ I can tolerate high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity.

3. ____ I’m able to recover emotionally from setbacks. I can express my feelings to friends and can ask for help.

4. ____ I feel self-confident and have a healthy concept of who I am.

5. ____ I’m curious and I like to try new ways of doing things.

6. ____ I hold up well during tough times. I have an independent spirit underneath my cooperative way of working with others.

7. ____ I’ve been made stronger and better by difficult experiences.

8. ____ I’ve converted misfortune into good luck and found benefits in bad experiences.

For more information on Resiliency, vist our web site at www.shambaughleadership.com

Becky welcomes your ideas and comments on this blog. Please send them to rshambaugh@shambaughleadership.com

Click here to read Becky's previous blogs

I speak, on a regular basis, about great leadership in today’s environment. I was just featured on the TV show Washington Business Tonight and the anchor asked me what I saw as the greatest challenges in this current business environment. I shared with him that I was constantly hearing about one thing- over and over again… change. And there are three things I know for sure about change:

1. The one thing constant is change. 
   Our organizations, our nation and the world have experienced enormous change in the past few months and will continue to see more change in the days to come. Why? The existing infrastructure and systems that our institutions, organizations and government have been using for decades now have basically outgrown the complexities and major shifts of our environment. Therefore, we are seeing more management intensity; leaders trying to get their hands around the “new” changes and attempting to re-build their systems to support the change. And, organizations that look at this time as an opportunity to re-invent themselves will become more effective and efficient to be stronger and more competitive in the future.
2. With great change comes tremendous uncertainty. 
   There is no predictable future or recognized path to follow today. That’s why we are seeing less of the traditional strategic planning and more scenario planning. Organizations are re-defining their growth plans and realizing that the traditional ways of taking a product or service to market may no longer create a competitive advantage. New approaches requiring new skill sets are often threatening to those who are comfortable with the status quo. As a result, we are also seeing more stress, burnout and tremendous wariness within the workforce as a result of the uncertainly and lack of security for themselves and their families.
3. Change creates the need to engage and retain our top talent. 
   This is when organizations need to fully engage their workforce to ensure a high level of accountability, focus and commitment. This is also when an organization’s retention strategies will be tested. Will they be able to retain their top talent and avoid those regrettable losses in order to maintain the muscle and institutional knowledge they need to be successful now and in the future?

These challenges require that leaders today create an environment of innovation and resilience. This means that leaders need to demonstrate the ability to re-invent themselves and their organizations, as well as give and provide the right support for their employees to do the same. I call this person the resilient leader.

How do you know when you see a resilient leader? My definition of resiliency is having the ability to re-coop from or adjust to misfortune or unpredictable change. The key characteristics of resilient leaders are flexibility, attitude of optimism, openness to learn and change, and the ability to overcome adversity.

There are 3 steps that I share with others for how to be resilient:

1. Commitment: Get and stay clear about what is important to you. This can be driven by your values or based on an important goal or a vision that you have. Stay true to your commitments and focused on them through the challenging times.
2. Action: Know you can control your own environment. Don’t wait for someone else to hand over the instruction booklet with the “how to’s” for you to accomplish or deal with something. Put a plan together and execute the plan. Pick up the phone and schedule a lunch with someone you know can provide some good advice or someone who should know about you, your value and how you can help them. Go back to school and take a course that will help you to get out of the old way of thinking. By taking small steps forward, you will personally feel more in control and won’t have to rely on someone else for your success. After all, you are the one who has all the answers.
3. Challenge: Look at a challenge as an opportunity. Walk into the storm knowing that the future will be different and better. My personal experience is that the greatest challenges I have faced have created my greatest growth, and have strengthened both my competence and confidence. Challenge provides the opportunity for us to tap into our creative side where the best ideas reside.

Part of resiliency is knowing your strengths and recognizing what is holding you back. Resiliency is about understanding your “sticky floors”- those behaviors, beliefs and assumptions that can unknowingly be self-limiting, holding you back from achieving your greatest potential. Learn to lead with resiliency. You will need it to be successful and it will enable YOU to create the future!

 For the latest SHAMBAUGH news, events and information, visit our web site at http://www.shambaughleadership.com.

In some ways, the President’s challenge, with the exception of scope, is similar to what business leaders are facing on a daily basis as they plan for and implement the changes necessary for their organizations to be successful in today’s economy.

In fact, in my book, It’s Not A Glass Ceiling, It’s A Sticky Floor, I reinforce the notion that real leadership is not leading in a “business as usual” environment. Rather, it is stepping up as a leader when times are tough, when there is great ambiguity and fear, when people feel in crisis and don’t know where to turn… times like we are experiencing now.

As many of you know, I spend much of our time coaching executives who are leading change initiatives and I always encourage them to do two things that I see President Obama doing as well. First, pay attention to the basic, very human, needs of people who are either being impacted by the change or are charged with implementing the change. Chances are they are feeling uncomfortable and even apprehensive. They need to know the who, what, why and how of the change. This is always a time for over-communicating.

Second, be systematic in how you sell and implement the change. One change model that I find most useful is by John Kotter. He introduced an eight-step change process in his book, Leading Change. I think the first few steps are the most critical for business leaders. In President Obama’s short tenure, he’s already employed them. Here they are:

1. Establish a sense of urgency. This week, as President Obama was trying to get Congress and the American people on board with his Stimulus Bill, he was focused on creating this sense of urgency. He had a consistent message around the pitfalls that will happen if we fail to act now as well as the upside of what will be possible.
   
   Business leaders need to do the same. Folks need to have a reason for embracing the change and the energy to sustain it over time. Don’t assume that the need for doing it now will be intuitively obvious to others.
2. Create a compelling vision. I don’t think anyone can dispute that President Obama has created a clear vision for the country. His winning campaign centered on change and rejected the idea of “business as usual” for the U.S. government. With the Stimulus Bill, his message has focused on creating jobs while fixing the infrastructure, health care and education systems; decreasing our energy dependency and keeping folks in their homes. It’s a simple but value-laden message that is fairly easy to remember, especially when he repeats it all the time. 
   
   Creating a clear, concise, consistent and compelling vision for your change initiative is perhaps the most important step in the change process. Take the time to set your priorities and craft your message. Give examples and tell stories to paint the picture for others.
3. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Having completely embraced both traditional and relatively new media forms, President Obama is able to effectively drive his vision for change through constant and consistent communication. It’s about sending the right message, to the right people, at the right time, using the right communications channel. Have you watched him on YouTube? Are you one of the 13 million who get emails from him? Did you watch his first press conference? 
   
   Many different communication channels are available to your organization now and should be leveraged to ensure you are effectively reaching all of your target audiences.

The world will continue to watch the Obama administration closely to see if and how they can deliver on their plans for change. I hope they do. And fortunately, I’m an optimist!

If you want to be more effective leading change on your organization, check out SHAMBAUGH’s Webinar on Managing Change Effectively and our Executive Coaching Solutions.

Don't forget to register for SHAMBAUGH's upcoming Sticky Floor Webinar on Making Your Words Count on February 26th from 12-1:00pm EST

And yet, even in this difficult environment, I see so many great leaders focused on doing the right things and doing them right. An essential leadership attribute during these times is clarity. It’s important for leaders to keep staff informed but not sugar coat the situation. This calls for communicating the changes that are being considered while providing context: what does this mean for the organization, it’s people, and how can employees all have a part in navigating the change?

The other essential leadership attribute is the ability to engage others. Great leaders are committed to keeping their staff engaged at a tactical level while business strategies are being re-evaluated and business processes are being re-engineered. Encourage them to join you in focusing on a vision that is possible, focus on new priorities and inspire them to take conscious actions that will help them to realize that vision. Be interactive, actively listen, and take time to answer questions, and then do it again and again. Look at experiences to grow their talent while letting them know that their work is valued.

My last piece of advice for today’s leaders is to be resilient. This means having the ability to recover or adapt to changing conditions. This calls for all of us to believe: knowing that we can be the champion of our own change, leadership and potential. Be willing to:

• Re- wire your own belief system
• Let go of the old
• Break out of the status quo
• Adapt new habits and mindsets
• Take conscious steps forward to make a shift and avoid paralysis
• Listen and help others

I will continue to focus future blogs, programs and SHAMBAUGH webinars on the "how-to's" for doing this and I welcome your success stories and examples. Together we’ll come through this time of crisis and be stronger for it!

This month has been an exciting time as we’ve watched America make history with the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s first African-American president. President Obama’s installation has also created interesting news for those replacing leadership positions in the U.S. Senate. In addition to all of the controversy surrounding Obama’s senate replacement, there’s also been a spotlight on who would fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s senate seat.

Until Caroline Kennedy’s recent decision to drop out of the senate race, she was considered a viable candidate by all news accounts. Of course Kennedy has a strong family legacy with global name recognition, but she has much less in the way of a political track record or the requisite charismatic persona. Perhaps, as good leaders often do, she decided to take stock and spend some time reinventing her personal brand for a more successful launch into the political arena.

Kennedy’s challenge is not unlike what many of us are faced with in the current economic climate. Some have lost jobs or are applying for new ones where, in many cases, they may fall short of all the qualifications. Sometimes it’s not about experience… it’s about how you can translate what you have done in a previous role to a new position. At the end of the day sometimes it’s just about being able to sell your own personal brand.

I’d like to suggest five considerations to making a career transition when your experience might not be a match for the qualifications:

• Combine substance and style
• Leverage strategic relationships
• Bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives
• Transfer success from one area to another
• Take risks prudently

Kathleen Matthews, EVP of Global Communications and Public Affairs for Marriott International, engaged most of these considerations when she made a successful career transition in 2006.

After 30 years in Washington, D.C., TV news, Matthews took the company’s top public relations position. She was attracted to the hospitality company’s service mission, drawing similarities to the media’s mission to inform and serve the public. “You accumulate all these skills. All you need to do is convince the boss that you have something that will contribute to the bottom line and that your success will guarantee the company’s success,” says Matthews.

Matthews demonstrated that producing a nightly newscast is just as much a team effort as running a hotel or a global hospitality brand. Viewing the post as an opportunity for reinvention, Matthews positioned herself as a storyteller who could tell Marriott’s story to the media she used to represent.

Matthews believes in getting involved in causes that help you network outside of your immediate circle. That’s how she came to connect with Marriott. Several years ago she was asked to emcee one of their events and was invited back year after year. In the process, she met Bill Marriott. “Who would have thought that emceeing that event would have turned out to be a job offer to work for this fabulous global hospitality company?”

So, if you find yourself looking at a new opportunity and you aren't the most experienced candidate, consider your qualifications more broadly. Translate your expertise and proven results into success in the new position. And leverage your strategic relationships. You too can "reinvent" yourself … if you choose to do so!

To further your own brand, check out SHAMBAUGH’s Five Coaching Offerings >>> click here

Don't miss SHAMBAUGH's Upcoming Webinar - Asking For What You Want on January 29th >>> click here

To read Becky's previous blogs >>> click here

The five things to resolve to do for yourself in 2009 are:

1. Put greater meaning and purpose in your life. Much of the western world’s model for success is based primarily on the mental/intellectual aspects of things associated with work and family. While these dimensions of our life are important, they are not always the full equation for a lasting sense of fulfillment, achievement, and success. It is important to view your life more holistically. One way to do this is to consider your world of leadership more broadly by aligning and tapping into the four quadrants which represent a centered leadership model. These dimensions include physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. 
   
   I personally pull out a tool we use at SHAMBAUGH called the Wheel of Life - which we incorporate in our coaching practice and in our Women in Leadership and Learning (WILL) programs. This tool helps me to step back and look at the 5-6 areas of my life, in addition to work and family, that are most important to me- like my health, my personal growth and development, my spiritual life, my recreation, and so on. From there, I reset or continue to lead from a set of priorities and goals in the areas where I would like to feel greater satisfaction. Our world is constantly changing and transforming, so take another look at adding greater meaning to your life by reviewing and re-aligning your activities and energy so you are leading from your true center and are personally engaged, energized and fulfilled in the critical aspects of your life.
2. Invest time in yourself. Take time to assess and truly understand your priorities to better blend your work-life integration. In the U.S., we spend more hours at work than people in just about every other country. Ask yourself, am I really focusing on the things that matter (being effective) or am I just focusing on knocking off the activities that continue to build on my “to do” list? Step back and reflect on your priorities; Are you anchored and heading in the right direction or sleepwalking through life? Get rid of the clutter in your life (those energy depleters) and start fresh in the near year. Five years from now, what will you wish you had focused on and what will you regret that you didn’t do? Be aware of your top five values, priorities and goals, and focus on integrating those activities into your everyday life.
3. Give yourself permission to do something you’ve wanted to do. What is it that you’ve been putting off? What were you always going to do when you had the time? What is it that, at the end of a day, you really wish you’d done… but didn’t? Whether it’s going home early to spend more time with your children, taking a trip, setting up a date night with your husband, reconnecting with an old friend, or learning a new language- do something nice for yourself and do it now! Part of what we can do as a role model is give other people permission to live their lives the way they want. If you are doing that, then you not only reap the personal rewards, you also encourage others to do the same.
4. Create healthy disruptions for yourself. When I start feeling stuck or don’t have the energy or ideas that I need, I do something I wouldn’t normally do. I refer to these as healthy disruptions. They are a great way to break the day-to-day pattern of my life. This helps to re-energize me and often provides me with a healthy and realistic perspective on issues and challenges in my world, and also acts as a catalyst for helping me to be more creative. Your options are limitless! Read a book you would not have thought of reading. Go see a matinee or a concert with a friend or be daring and just go by yourself. Cook something you’ve never eaten before. Play solitaire. Call someone who gave you his business card. Take a walk around the block. Put music on or turn it off! Try creating healthy disruptions for yourself and let me know what shows up for you!
5. Have fun and keep a sense of humor. Believe it or not, fun doesn’t always happen! Sometimes we have to plan for it. What are you doing for the pure fun of it? I play tennis and golf, meet friends for dinner, and watch old movies- just for fun! It’s important to know what fun looks like for you and to pursue those activities regularly. And for me, fun often involves laughter. People who laugh live longer, are healthier and have a better outlook on life. Resolve to not take things too seriously at the end of the day. Set your life up to include laughter as part of it. And, remember, one of the best things you can do is laugh at yourself.

Every New Year is a great time for reflecting, refocusing and prioritizing. While you set goals in your professional life, remember the importance of doing the same for your personal well-being. And together, let’s have a Happy New Year!

Kick off the New Year and join us on January 29, 2009 for our upcoming Sticky Floors Webinar - Asking For What You Want - click here for more details!

Click here to read Becky's previous blogs