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

Make Time For You

Make Time For You

by | Sep 6, 2023 | Invest in Yourself, Self-Care

Over time we have been conditioned to believe that More = Better & Busy = Productive. 

However, as you know, this is usually not the case and often leads to burnout, brain drain and stress.

Most of us have long, overwhelming To Do lists, but what would happen:

  • If you slowed down and focused on one or two things at a time?
  • If you took time to reflect and recharge?

How would you feel if you practiced some of the success routines you have heard and read about- took a nap, a walk, or just sat and reflected for a short time?

I know it may seem a bit uncomfortable and may feel selfish, but I urge you to set some quality time for yourself.

You Cannot Continue to Pour From an Empty Cup!

Trust that reflection and focus helps you look at solutions and opportunities that you may otherwise have missed.

We need to break the cycle of trying to do it all.

Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation!

If I can help you move forward with purpose, let’s talk!

-Marsha

 

Reflect, Recharge And Revisit

Reflect, Recharge And Revisit

by | Apr 20, 2023 | Career, Goal Setting, Invest in Yourself, Self-Care

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,

Your Partner in Change,

-Marsha
marsha@marshahaygood.com