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.
Feedback, both personal and professional, offers you a look at your blind spots and allows you to learn how you are being perceived.
It is a gift that offers positive tips and reminders of your strengths and behaviors which you may take for granted.
It also can enlighten you to areas you may want to tweak, strengthen, enhance or avoid.
Every July, I conduct what I call a “self-audit” and schedule time to review my goals, looking at the progress I’ve made and reviewing the barriers I’ve encountered.
In addition, every other year, I actually send out a short feedback questionnaire to those who have agreed to answer a few questions with the understanding that all answers will be used for my growth and will not be questioned or disputed.
I have been doing this for many years and find it to be both beneficial and often eye-opening.
Feedback is a gift and I suggest you make time to ask for it and then listen and learn from the information you receive.
I have become aware of opportunities as well as challenges from this strategy and my company has grown from practicing this routine consistently.
Have you asked for and received constructive feedback to help you on your success journey?
Are there routines and habits that you have put in place that have helped you to leverage your strengths and optimize your potential?
Please share some ideas that should be considered as we move forward with purpose. Your Partner in Change, -Marsha marsha@marshahaygood.com
I hope that during these first few months of the year you have taken some time to reflect on all that you have previously accomplished, recharged and made time for self- care and revisited your goals and intentions for the future.
I know how easy it is to get busy and be distracted by things that can take you off course. Consider this a little nudge. 😊
Don’t beat yourself up about what you have not yet done.
You are too important to let your desires, goals and intentions fall by the wayside.
Instead, dedicate some time to review your intentions and write them down if you have not done so already.
Look at the barriers that may have prevented you from moving forward.
Was it skill or will that has held you back?
Did you really set a goal or was it just a dream?
Goals require planning, dreams do not!
Don’t let limiting beliefs and negative self-talk hold you back from moving forward with purpose.
If you need time to regroup, recharge or “just be”, then take some time, but put a deadline on it and set a real date that you will get back on track.
The best opportunities often arise during the most challenging of times, so give yourself some grace and be open to all that awaits you.
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. Strength comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t do.”
Now is the time to identify and leverage your strength and to optimize your potential.
Let me know how I might support you as you Move Forward with Purpose,
Are you feeling overwhelmed, unfulfilled, empty and just t-i-r-e-d?
Have you taken some real quality time to rest, reflect and reevaluate what you want and need to feel better and make this a year for you to move forward with your intentions?
Many people answer No to this question, then go on to answer that they are just too busy to take time for themselves.
THERE ARE 1,440 MINUTES IN EACH DAY FOR EACH OF US. HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOURS?
When I ask what was accomplished during their “busy time”, people find it hard to measure.
I know that things always come up that are out of our control, however, busy does not necessarily mean productive.
Accomplishments and taking time for yourself are requirements to living a happy and productive life.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS PREVENTED YOU FROM ACCOMPLISHING THOSE THINGS THAT YOU CONSIDER IMPORTANT AND MAKING SOME SMALL ADJUSTMENTS.
I hosted an Ask Marsha H. webinar in February discussing how to get on track with your goals by setting realistic intentions and I noted some small, simple strategies to get on track.
If I can be of help to you in this regard, book a 15-minute Discovery Call with me to see how we might work together.
We have all heard the phrase “New Year, New You” but what does this mean to you?
DECIDE WHAT’S NEXT IN YOUR LIFE & STRATEGIZE ON HOW TO GET IT
If you have not already done so, now is a good time to reflect on where you are in your life journey and where you would like to be.
Some would suggest that making New Year resolutions is not worth the effort, but others like myself, believe that setting a realistic roadmap helps to guide you to move forward with your intentions.
Setting your intentions is like setting your GPS to map out where you want to go. There may be detours along the way, but your GPS will help to reroute you and get you back on track.
Reflect on and consider answering these questions:
What am I feeling called to do?
What will I keep doing?
What will I start doing?
What will I stop doing?
What has worked for me in the past? What lessons have I learned from my successes and my missteps?
What are my stressors, barriers and my internal and external challenges?
What are some self-sabotaging habits and beliefs that may be getting in my way?
Who or what distracts me and how can I better control my attention?
What do I consider to be important to my success and can I commit to and focus on them?
MAKING A PLAN THAT IS ACTIONABLE IS HELPFUL WITH KEEPING YOU FOCUSED AND ON TRACK… USE IT AS YOUR GPS
Be honest with yourself.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Reflect on the past few years and write down what worked well and what did not go as expected.
Identify and document the gaps between where you are now and where you want to be by this time next year.
Look at the barriers that may have stalled you and how they can be avoided or at least minimized.
Set realistic, actionable small steps that you can take consistently. (Lose 10 lbs. this year by working to lose 1 lb. per month).
Look at what is needed to move forward, then track your progress and celebrate your accomplishment.
Set realistic deadlines for each step you are willing to take.
Change will only happen when you are consistent.
Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for guidance and support along the way
IF YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE SAME WAY, YOU ARE LIKELY TO GET THE SAME RESULTS. HOWEVER, MAKING A CHANGE, NO MATTER HOW SMALL AND CONSISTENTLY APPLYING IT, CAN CHANGE YOUR TRAJECTORY AND YOUR END RESULT.
Determine what you want your future life experiences to be, then let your future desires drive your current behavior.
Happy New Year!
Please let me know if you can use my support in the New Year to help you Move Forward with Purpose.
As an employee, there is no good time to be out of a job.
Also, as a business owner, there is no good time to eliminate jobs.
However, recently, we have definitely seen some inappropriate extremely wrong and uncaring ways to handle the downsizing of employees.
As an employee, what can you do?
PREPARE
You should definitely expect for opportunities to come your way and enthusiastically prepare for them.
However, you should also prepare for unexpected tough times and bumps in the road.
Preparing means taking stock of what you can control: that means your attitude, your behaviors and your budget.
It concerns me that some of the same people who say they cannot afford self- development opportunities, spend many $$$ on holiday shopping and plan and take part in “Black Friday Sales”.
COMMUNICATE
Rekindle and create connections. You should not wait until you need something from someone to meet them. Rekindle connections with those that you know and connect with those that you want to know without asking for anything.
A simple “thinking of you” or “happy holidays” is a good start.
REFLECT
Think about and document your successes and all you have accomplished.
A quote I live by is:
With this in mind, I encourage you to take some positive action over this holiday season and the year going forward.
“HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY, AND SOMEDAY IS NOT A TIMEFRAME.”
Please let me know if you can use my support in the New Year to help you Move Forward with Purpose.
