The Power of Feedback: Fuel for Career Growth and Personal Development

The Power of Feedback: Fuel for Career Growth and Personal Development

by | Aug 26, 2024 | Invest in Yourself, Self-Care

As we navigate our professional and personal journeys, pivoting and growing our skills is an essential part of our career journey. One element that we often take for granted is asking for and accepting feedback. Whether it comes from a colleague, a mentor, a friend, or a family member, feedback plays an invaluable role in our growth and development. Here’s why embracing feedback can be a game-changer for your career and life.

1. Enhances Self-Awareness

Feedback provides an external perspective on our actions and behaviors. It sheds light on our strengths and areas for improvement that we might not notice ourselves. This heightened self-awareness is the first step towards meaningful personal growth and career advancement.

2. Promotes Continuous Learning

In the fast-paced world we live in, continuous learning is essential. Feedback is a powerful tool that helps us stay on track with our development goals. By understanding what works and what doesn’t, we can adapt and evolve, ensuring we remain competitive and effective in our roles. It also reminds us of those skills and accomplishments that we may take for granted.

3. Strengthens Relationships

Asking for and accepting feedback demonstrates humility and a willingness to improve. This can foster stronger relationships, both personally and professionally. When people see that you value their input, they are more likely to respect and support you.

4. Boosts Performance

Constructive feedback provides clear guidance on how to enhance performance. Whether it’s a new strategy at work or a different approach in your personal life, feedback can help you refine your actions and achieve better/different outcomes. Over time, this can lead to significant improvements and successes.

5. Encourages Accountability

Receiving feedback holds us accountable for our actions and decisions. It encourages us to take responsibility and make necessary adjustments. This accountability is crucial for personal integrity and professional reliability.

6. Fosters Resilience

Feedback, especially constructive criticism, can be challenging to hear. However, learning to accept and act on feedback builds resilience. It teaches us to handle criticism gracefully and use it as a stepping stone rather than a setback.

7. Facilitates Goal Setting

Feedback can help us set realistic and achievable goals. By understanding where we currently stand and what we need to work on, we can set clear, targeted goals for improvement. This focused approach increases our chances of success.

 

Ultimately, feedback is not just a tool for professional development; it’s a cornerstone of personal growth as well. Embrace it with an open mind and a positive attitude, and you’ll find it to be one of the most valuable resources in your journey towards success.

 

Let’s make feedback a regular part of our routine and watch how it transforms our careers and lives!

Your Partner in Change,

Marsha Haygood

Life is Full of Changes both Big and Small

Life is Full of Changes both Big and Small

by | Jul 29, 2024 | Invest in Yourself, Self-Care

Life is full of changes both big and small. Many are expected, but some catch us completely by surprise causing us to shift our plans.

Make a Plan

Personal Changes

  • Designate a specific time of year to review and update your personal information – your passwords, budget, credit rating, etc.
  • Check to ensure your important documents are up to date and in a secure location- your Will, life insurance, health documents, deed, licenses, etc
  • Make appointments for medical follow-ups, etc.

Professional Changes

  • Update/refresh your resume, bio, headshot and social profiles
  • Reqest recommendations, references and testimonials for your accomplishments
  • Review trends in your company and industry that can positively or negatively affect you
  • Connect /Reconnect with friends and current and former associates to check in on them and catch up (without asking for anything)

Don’t consider these things a chore. Embrace the idea that you can learn and grow from every experience.

Review and acknowledge your current support system.

Ask those who have helped you along the way how you might support them.

Remember, a simple “Thank You” never goes out of style!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and other ways to consider preparing for known and unexpected changes.

Let’s help each other win. 

Happy Summer!

 

Your Partner in Change,

Marsha Haygood

You Are Enough

You Are Enough

by | Nov 25, 2023 | Self-Care

Living a good life requires you learning to love yourself and care for yourself without guilt!

As a priority, you must move away from toxic situations and negative people so that you can pursue higher goals and a more fulfilled life.

You cannot undo past negative experiences but you can commit today to making positive life changes that add to your happiness and bring you joy.

You deserve a happy and successful life and how you treat yourself is an investment in your future!

Take time to treat yourself to the things you enjoy. Sometimes that may be with family and friends. Sometimes being alone is just fine.

Practice communicating your needs, desires and the boundaries you set.

Remember that “No” is a complete sentence and usually does not require further explanation.

Prioritize your health and self-care.

You Are Enough and you deserve all the best that life has to offer!

Clear Your Mental Clutter

Clear Your Mental Clutter

by | Oct 26, 2023 | Self-Care

I don’t know about you but I am constantly bombarded with distractions

throughout the day – Emails, social media posts, phone calls and requests for

information and your time.

 

When you take time to respond to these requests, you may find that at the end of

the day, you have not gotten much completed. You end up being tired, burned

out and unfulfilled with a never-ending To-Do list.

 

I wish I could tell you how to fully eliminate all the distractions but I must admit I

am still a work in progress. However, I am proud to say that I continue to get

better and I am happy to share some of the tactics I continue to use to

successfully move forward.’’

 

  • Schedule a dedicated time to declutter your workspace- I put everything in one big pile and then decide what to file, scan, shred, etc. I also use different color labels and markers for my folders. You need to decide what will work best for you and then be consistent.

 

  • Review your to-do list and calendar the night before and note 1-3 priorities as “must-do” items for the next day. Doing this gives you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

 

  • No emails, phone chats or social media in the morning before starting on the priorities you have set, unless there is an emergency.

 

  • Turn your phone off or put it on silent at a set time every night and let people know that you are unavailable after that time – set clear boundaries.

 

  • Schedule 1 or 2 “reflection/clarity breaks. At least (1) 15-minute break in the morning and the same in the afternoon and move away from stressful demands and negative people during that time (give yourself time to think).

 

  • Break large task into smaller manageable parts so that they are less overwhelming.

 

  • When possible, delegate smaller task to others (this might include your children when you work from home)

 

  • If you are a techie, (I am not) look for tech tools that can be helpful.
    -To Do List Tool/Organizer: Asana
    -Meditation: Headspace
    -Productivity/Time Management: Pomodoro Technique
    -Notetaking: ReMarkable (or research other digital notebooks)

 

These are just a few tips to try. I welcome you sharing other ideas to help us all

#MoveForwardwithPurpose

You’re Invited!

To help you Move Forward with Purpose, join me on Saturday, Nov. 4th at 10:30 am EST as we strategize on adapting to change and how to best prepare for growth and opportunity in the new year.

 

Your Partner in Change,

-Marsha

Are Your Routines Moving You Forward?

Are Your Routines Moving You Forward?

by | Oct 26, 2023 | Celebrate, Goal Setting

All of us experience profound changes as we move through the journey of life.

 

The ups and downs create experiences that we enjoy as well as those we wish to

forget. No matter how much we plan and how much we pray, we can never

predict all that the future holds.

 

However, for many, holding on to what you have always done and doings things

in the same way, gives you a sense of comfort. Even when it is no longer working,

comfort and safety often outweigh logic!

 

But change is often the kick in the butt we need to help us grow.

 

In what areas are you holding on too tightly to what you have always done?

Are there routines or habits that you are holding onto that may no longer serve you well?

 

Now might be the time to make space to try something different.

What changes might you need to make?

 

Think about the habits, routines or situations you may have outgrown over time

that will allow you to make space for new successes.

 

How about taking just one of your dreams out of storage, taking a prudent risk

and trying something new?

 

What about reevaluating one of those ideas you said you would try “someday”?

To help you Move Forward with Purpose, join me on Saturday, Nov. 4th at 10:30 am EST as we strategize on adapting to change and how to best prepare for growth and opportunity in the new year.

 

Your Partner in Change,

-Marsha