How do you celebrate accomplishing a goal or fulfilling a dream? Do you take time to stop and reflect or do you move on to the next goal? The other day I was going through some files and found my “Wow, I did that!” list. I realized that I hadn’t updated it. Stopping to reflect on your accomplishments is important. It will help motivate you in reaching the new goals that you are setting.
As the year gets ready to wrap up, write down your wins. The power of this reflecting session will unlock the following for you:
1. Joy in achieving your goals.
2. Momentum to keep moving forward with your goals and objectives for the New Year.
3. Reminder to refer to when days may seem dark or discouraging.
4. Proof that you have more potential than you realize.
Reflecting is a necessary tool for keeping that winning edge mindset. You will be able to design your life and business in a way that aligns with your guiding principles.
As I have gone through this exercise, I have experienced the following:
a. Pride and humility at the same time.
b. Gratitude that so much of what I desired to do was possible and achievable.
c. Determination to stretch higher next year.
This is the season for celebration! “Wow, I did that” is something to celebrate, remember and embrace. Take time this next week to reflect on your past accomplishments.
How are you kicking your doubts today? The word doubt is not as strong as the word fear. Yet, if you let doubt fill your mind and heart then fear can take over. I’ve heard it said that what you write and speak about is what you are currently struggling with. I am a positive person. I have also struggled with doubt and fear throughout my life and business.
Mindset and controlling your mind are subjects that fascinate me. I guess it is because I believe deep down that nothing is impossible. I believe that you each can achieve more than what you think possible.
When an innovative idea or even a dream comes to mind, it can be easy to dismiss the idea. Letting your doubts form is a surefire way to stopping growth.
Here are some of the doubts that I have:
1. I’m not good enough
2. That is not my reality
3. I need more resources
4. Will those I love approve?
5. Will I have time?
Perhaps you can relate to some or all. Why is it that doubts can creep in? Are you believing or buying into someone else’s doubts and insecurities? If you are to uncover, realize and accomplish your potential then it is critical that you learn to starve your doubts.
Here are five strategies that you can implement:
1. Look at your goal’s morning and night
2. Change negative thoughts to positive affirmations
3. Disengage from naysayers
4. Reflect on past wins
5. Ask “what if” questions
I know that if you integrate these strategies into your life you will be able to accomplish more than you ever dreamed. Kicking doubts will become a skill that will open up energy in every aspect of your life.
The saying “you get what you focus on” is true. If focusing on the good in your life and business brings more, then you have just found the secret to life!
I am grateful for the opportunities I have in my life to grow and learn. As I reflect on my journey it amazes me the thread that has been woven into the tapestry. I grew up in farming country. Going to town meant a 10-mile drive to get groceries and supplies. I am grateful for the opportunity of living where life was full and rich.
My extended family continues to teach me today even though I don’t see them often. I still feel their love and support. If I were to focus on how I miss them especially during the holidays, sadness would fill my heart. Instead I focus on all the lessons I’ve learned from them.
Thomas S. Monson tells us that gratitude in all things is necessary to a rich and abundant life. I have thought a lot about that over the past several months. Showing gratitude even when trials hit has given me increased strength and peace. It may sound counter-intuitive but it will work for you.
What do you have to be grateful for today? I challenge you to write down at least three things. As you use or put in place a gratitude journal your day will feel happier and lighter. More goodness will come to you. I am grateful you have taken time to read my thoughts. I appreciate the opportunity to share my insights with you.
Have you ever noticed how opportunities are all around you? We get what we focus on. Once you start noticing what is happening it will be amazing to realize the possibilities which exist. Treasures are like opportunities. There is often variety in the size and shape.
I realized this after launching a podcast. The realization that creating an audio course was possible. The day this happened, was an empowering revelation!
No one told me to start. I had to seize the opportunity before me and begin. Now after six months of building, I have a course to share with those seeking to energize their personal brand.
One of my biggest fears has been starting a project and not finishing it. It is amazing to observe the lifecycle of a project. The last 10% of completing a project can be the hardest. I found that out as I put the finishing touches on a product I developed. I had a speaking tour scheduled; this created the perfect springboard to launch the product. I could not pass up the opportunity.
A lot of sweat, tears and loss of voice occurred in completing the last 10%. I knew if I didn’t seize the opportunity to go to market I would kick myself. What happened? I reached a goal and now hundreds can enjoy the value of this course.
When opportunities rise up, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Will this help me reach my goal?
2. What time and resources will it take?
3. How will this opportunity impact my team? (Employees, Co-Workers, Family)
4. Will I kick myself if I pass it up?
5. What’s the benefit?
Being decisive is one of the greatest traits of a leader. You are the leader of your own life and destiny. What opportunities are around you now just waiting for you to embrace?
Here’s a trunk full of opportunities to explore: sign up for my free newsletter, buy my audio course on energizing your personal brand or let me know how we can work together today with an email to Linda@Lhyatesconsulting.com.
————————————————————————————————
Linda H. Yates – The Image Energizer is a highly-sought Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach and Corporate Trainer. She has produced over 250 educational seminars on helping individuals and businesses uncover, realize and accomplish their goals. Author of the audio course and workbook 6 Steps to ENERGIZE Your Personal Brand and Beyond the Clothes, Linda Yates believes that NOTHING is Impossible!
Happiness is a choice. As you choose to be happy you are tapping into an edge that others overlook. In episode 24 of The Executive Edge podcast Myra Goldick shares her expertise and experience on how to choose happiness.
Myra Goldick authored “Focused, Unstuck, and Back in Action” and “Dancing on our Disabilities” and co-authored “Mastering the Art of Success.”
As a child, she struggled to overcome a dysfunctional family life, extreme poverty, substance abuse, and homelessness. Paralyzed by polio and meningitis at the age of ten, Myra found herself unable to move one single muscle. Initially she was totally dependent on her mother for her every basic need. Through rehabilitation, surgeries, passion, and perseverance, she regained some of her mobility. Driven by a desire to succeed she finished school, married, and built a successful career in corporate America. Later in life, she experienced a total role reversal when she became her aging mother’s caregiver, while at the same time struggling to manage post-polio syndrome.
Today Myra is a speaker, author, professional artist, coach, and Internet talk radio host of two shows, and a disability advocate for both the challenged and the caregivers. Myra’s motto is “happiness is a choice regardless of the challenges life creates.”
Takeaways from this episode:
– Finding humor in the moment
– Spontaneity adds a spark of excitement to life
– Success doesn’t necessarily mean only wealth
– Prosperity is a birthright
– Disabilities can be empowering
– Recovery is up to the individual
– Perseverance is the secret to success
– How to overcome negative self-talk
– How to increase your productivity
– Authenticity is the key to building your personal brand
– Remain consistent in all your messages
Thank you for listening to The Executive Edge podcast! Please leave a question so that we can address it on the podcast so that you can uncover, realize and accomplish your potential! Nothing is impossible!
How do you disconnect? As an executive you may find that it’s hard to turn off the world and recharge. In episode 23 of The Executive Edge learn self preservation tips in order to avoid burnout.
5 Tips:
1. Take a 2-day weekend.
2. Set Office Hours – stick to them.
3. Avoid looking at your phone first thing in the morning.
4. Being present and in the moment.
5. Turn off alarms and phone when working on a project.
Bonus Tips:
Taking breaks throughout the day.
Lay out your vacation time for the year in your strategy planning. This is a great tip that Gary Keller from Keller Williams speaks about.
Achieving your goals is not a sprint but rather a marathon. Keeping this in mind will assist you in reaching your potential.
Turning off the world and recharging your batteries will assist you in accomplishing more than you thought possible. What 3 things are you going to do this week in order to recharge?
Thank you for listening to The Executive Edge podcast! Please leave a question so that we can address it on the podcast so that you can uncover, realize and accomplish your potential! Nothing is impossible!
As an executive you will have to present or give a speech. This week you will learn the 2nd tip when starting your presentation. You don’t have to be an executive to use these strategies.
The second tip is to: Open With A Startling Statistic – this is a great way to engage your audience right out of the gate. As you open with a statistic, pause for just a couple of seconds to let it sink in. Then move forward with your presentation.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel in order to get all the latest tips to energize your image so that you can uncover, realize and accomplish your potential.
Thank you for watching this tip! Sign up for more image and success tips here @ www.LindaHYates.com – Have a wonderful day!
How do you disconnect? Am I the only one who struggles with this? I tell myself – “stop looking at your phone” or “the day is over, turn it off.” I think at times I’m starting to conquer this obsessive need to stay connected and then I have a relapse.
Part of the purpose of writing this post is to allow me to vent on the subject. Hope you don’t mind and what I share will be a help to you! Here are a few strategies I have been implementing to become proficient at disconnecting:
1. Take a 2-day weekend. I have been so driven to check things off my checklist that I have noticed I am not taking time to relax.
2. Set office hours. That means not checking email, voicemails or text after a certain time of the day.
3. In the morning not looking at my phone until my self-care routine is complete.
4. Being present with whomever I’m having a conversation with.
5. When working on projects, setting my phone to vibrate and turning email reminders off.
Implementing these practices has provided more productive days and happier nights. My family doesn’t complain as much and my energy is stronger. Now the goal will be to plan my vacations as the first priority of my yearly planning segment. I know I can conquer this! By disconnecting we will be able to be more connected when it counts.
Don’t worry if you try calling or emailing and I don’t answer right away, I will be with you shortly. I promise! This is something you can do for clients, family members or staff right now.
This week David Pickron entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of CrimShield, Inc. based in Arizona joins us for episode 22 of The Executive Edge Podcast. This episode focuses on the habits of successful entrepreneurs. Whether or not you are an entrepreneur the ideas shared will assist you in realizing your potential.
David was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Northern Arizona University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communications in 1992.
David joined AAA Landlord Services, Inc., in 1992 as the Company President. Under his direction, AAA Landlord soon became the largest company of its kind in Arizona. In 2001 the company expanded, adding Investigative Screening and Consulting which is a Private Investigational Screening Firm that focuses on credit and criminal background checks for landlords. Investigative also provides ongoing training to their clients on how to recognize and avoid bad tenants minimizing costly evictions.
In 2007, David saw a need for a higher level of investigative screening for those home service providers that are around our families. He then launched CrimShield, Inc. a nationwide leader in contractor background investigations. CrimShield services fortune 500 companies as well as smaller local companies and is slowly becoming a household name.
David’s strength is taking ideas and creating systems to make those ideas come to life. In addition, David has written several articles for industry publications and has been a guest speaker on radio talk shows. He is a licensed Private Investigator and Officer of the Court.
David has had a long association with several organizations and is regularly invited to speak at seminars for the following groups:
• Arizona Manufactured Housing Association
• Arizona Multi-housing Association
• International Crime Free Association
• Arpola, Azrei, Management Seminars
He provides personal training for several police departments and multi-housing clients.
David is described as focused, funny, passionate, sincere, hard-charging and dynamic; he has infused CrimShield with his own brand of energetic leadership, vision and spirit over the years and serves as a mentor for his staff members. He is a prominent community member who is active in Scouting, Church youth programs and Little League. David also serves on the board of Tumbleweed youth shelters for homeless children.
Highlights and ideas from this episode to reach success:
– Realizing what your strengths are and how to play to them
– Traits of true entrepreneurs
– Habits of high performers
– Look at what your customers want and then deliver more than they expect
– No one knows you or your business like you do – trust yourself
– Staying one step ahead on your marketing and technology
– Being available to your customers
– Clients are your best sales force
– 360 degree feedback from your customers
– Bonding with children
– The importance of defining your purpose
– How to pick your support team
There were some great ideas featured in this episode. To learn more about CrimShield, Inc. goto: www.CrimShield.com.
Thank you for listening to The Executive Edge podcast! Please share your thoughts, comments and topics you would like covered in the comment section below.
Nervous about speaking in front of your board? Want to sound articulate to other executives? This is tip #1 of 3 tips on how to open a speech or presentation. You don’t have to be an executive to use these strategies.
The first tip is to: Open With A Question – this get’s your audience’s attention quickly. As you open with a question pause for just a couple of seconds to let it sink in. Then move forward with your presentation.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel in order to get all the latest tips to energize your image so that you can uncover, realize and accomplish your potential.
Thank you for watching this tip! Sign up for more image and success tips here @ www.LindaHYates.com – Have a wonderful day!
