Predictions, Progress and the Power of Projects

February 3rd, 2012

Groundhog day.

A do over day.

A day to check to see what is on the horizon in the coming weeks.

Now is a terrific time to reflect on what you have planned for 2012. After all we develop a commitment to what we spend time on- the more time invested the deeper the commitment.  Taking time to consider what  you decided to invest your resources (time, effort etc.) and how you would do so is a good idea. Or if heck January just slipped way from you, now is a fine to think about what you really want to commit to this year. What would make your life, or your work- heck go big both- deeply meaningful to you? If you are not crystal clear about the big important-to-me-picture to me you’ll get bogged down by all that could be, tripped up by details, lose your place or worse decide to toss all your efforts out the window.

What happens all too often is starting out gung-ho ready to jump into your resolutions and really MAKE THIS THE YEAR when (fill in the blank).  Suddenly it is March and you are not making the progress you hoped for. By August you’ve forgotten about those resolutions, or are feeling bad about not getting them done. Not to fear it is February and there is time to recalibrate.  Ground hog day is always my signal to do this, before I get in too deep.

The past 4 weeks I have been leaning into projects that directly relate to what I named big important-to-me-parts of my personal plan for 2012.  The idea of taking on projects instead of goals really works, because you can always make progress on a project. You are better positioned to make progress when the project is discrete, that is as specific, measureable and related to something alive in your big important-to-me-picture.  No matter how small the step you take is it represents progress. Your efforts and their outcomes both have value.  If a small step is less productive than you intended you have not lost too much either.  If it does propel you forward you can figure out how much bigger to make the next step.

Every 4 weeks I think about the projects (I started to experiment with this idea in December) I want to focus on and describe them as a succinctly as possible. One important criteria I use is thinking through what can I realistically lean into given what is already on my calendar for the upcoming 4 weeks. My projects are designed to move me into new or better territory, this requires extra oomph and there is only so much oomph you have in a given time period. Then I carve out regular time to focus on them. By time I mean work sprints when I only focus on the project at hand. These are 15-60 minutes of burst of time that my schedule allows for on a given day.

The results thus far? I tackled one  big professional project, made significant headway on an other and FINALLY got the darn main hallway painted! All things that otherwise might have lingered and lingered and lingered. The hall had a been a source of “as soon as” stuckness for more months than I’d like to admit to- but no more. When I needed to recalibrate during the 4 weeks I did, so I could make progress. In considering what projects to focus on during this current 4 weeks I recalibrated again. I’ll keep doing this to ensure I continue to make progress. Also I focus on no more than 3 projects in a given 4 weeks. Over the year I‘ll get to everything in my personal plan, without feeling like I need do to it all- NOW. What a relief!

So how do you recalibrate to keep your focus and momentum over the coming weeks and months?  Try using these questions and your honest answers to point the way:

  • What specifically is working? How do I know this to be true?
  • What specifically is not working? How do I know this to be true?
  • How can I make this easy(ier)?
  • Where am I holding back?
  • When am I am at my best?  How do I do this more?
  • Why I am doing this in the first place?

My point(s) here, whether you feel like “Yes or everything is on track” or not is this:

  • Determine what you really want and need, be as specific as you can, readjust if you need.  Create bite sized projects for a discrete time frame that relate to your big-important-to-me picture.
  • Identify difficulties that you are experiencing  so you can decide how to address or circumvent these.
  • Bring out the capacities you have, or if needed build new ones. Yes an “old dog” can learn new tricks there is even the science to prove it.
  • Strategize plan of action, quickly. If you need help to do this, and often we do, something about not seeing the forest for the trees, ask for it.
  • Act accordingly.

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Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Realities

January 2nd, 2012

A new year is a wonderful time to rekindle your fire that has been sputtering or even has gone out after the up and downs of the past few years. Moving from an idea to a reality is possible. Keep your resolutions by coupling action with attitude. When you do you make good decisions and take more powerful actions because you focus on what most important to you. Not allowing those most important things to be swept aside by today’s to do list. Make choices that are consistent with a meaningful life, a “kick tush” career and fostering nurturing relationships. Prioritizing what to do when, and why in that order.

All of these can be easier said than done. I know. Really I know. I have been down that road too. Sometimes I still find myself on it.  You start out all gung-ho ready to jump into your resolutions and really MAKE THIS THE YEAR when (fill in the blank).  Suddenly it is March and you are not making the progress you hoped for. Then by August you’ve forgotten about those resolutions, or are feeling bad about not getting them done.

But here is what I have learned looking back (and boy that magic mirror reflecting back answers was not always a treat).

“Vision without action is a dream.

Action without vision is a nightmare.”

~Japanese proverb

Paradigm shift. Make 2012 the year to reconnect to the light inside you and live by your most deeply held truths. Focus your attention and resources on what will get from where you are and where you want to be.  Craft a structure for your life and your work that keeps you on track, but is not so rigid you can’t (or won’t) adjust as needed. A framework to make choices that aligns with what is most meaningful to you, your most deeply held dreams, your signature strengths and your most sacred values. You make good decisions when you are crystal clear about these. You don’t make heated decisions forced by limiting fears.  When you need support you ask for it because . . .

“Maturity is the willingness to accept responsibility for your actions and to cooperate with others to achieve mutually desirable goals. Action, putting your passion into work, requires help from other people.”

~Nancy Anderson

So don’t just make your resolutions, make a plan for your 2012 to be extraordinary and supports your resolutions becoming realities. Create a plan that is firmly rooted in the reason behind why you do what you do and why your resolutions matter. Here are four questions to plan an extraordinary year. I use these four questions to plan my year, my answers result in a plan for making the New Year extraordinary.

  1. What are you longing for in your life? Not what you need to do, but what you are yearning for from the marrow of your bones. When you are clear about the deeper reason behind your intent, the more powerful your actions will be on the practical level.
  2. What can you reach for that will meet that longing? Not what is the pie in the sky I can’t possibly ever get there reach. Rather the stretch that if you made, to the best of your abilities would indeed meet this yen of yours.
  3. What would need to be true for me to meet that longing? Your answer might encompass any number of things from acquiring new skills or  strengthen existing ones, or  let go of patterns of thinking that no long serve you or make the best use of the resources available to you.
  4. What will give you the courage to reach for more? This about standing firm in your intent and the sense of your own value. It is what will help you find your mojo, your chutzpah, so you remain unwavering in even moments of doubt or challenge.

Feeling a little stuck in answering these 4 questions? They are big, juicy questions. Try this approach, consider what would make you look back and be able to complete this sentence “My life was honestly fulfilling because . . . ”

Likely your answer embraces achievements like being a great provider, and the enjoyments to be had along the way, like finally enrolling in that upholstery class. The urgency and pluck to act comes from creating a flexible structure for you life so that both achievement and enjoyment show up in your life.

I want to help you have an extraordinary 2012, and am offering a limited number of complementary discovery sessions.  So if you are:

  • Ready to stop chasing balance and start finding fulfillment
  • Ready to get of a rut
  • Want the courage to claim time for yourself
  • Longing to get in sync with what calls most deeply from your heart

Take me up on the offer for a complementary discovery session.  These twenty sessions are first come first serve.

During the 30-minute session we will do three things. First create a clear vision about what you really want. Then we will explore obstacles that are getting in your way. Finally we will outline the next steps you can take to move forward. These will be scheduled between January 4 and January 25, 2012.  To book you session go here and find the time that’s best for your schedule.

Make 2012 the year to reconnect to the light inside you and live by your most deeply held truths.

“It’s extremely gratifying to work with a coach as gifted as Deirdre and to watch the important aspects of life — areas that may have frustrated you for years — become visibly and measurably better.  Through discernment, humor, and encouragement, Deirdre helps you uncover what matters most in the midst of daily noise, then helps you build a toolkit to prioritize and improve those things that make a life fulfilling. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Deirdre; it has been a thoroughly worthwhile experience.“
- Marketing VP, Jackson, MS, December 2011

 

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Four Must Ask Questions Before You Plan Your Year

December 27th, 2011

We develop a commitment to what we spend time on, the more time invested the deeper the commitment.  Defining what you really want is crucial. I mean this needs to be crystal clear, in order to set resolutions that are realized.  What would make your life, or your work, or go big both, deeply meaningful to you? If you are not clear about the big picture of what you want, you’ll get bogged down by all that could be, tripped up by details, lose your place or worse decide to toss all your efforts out the window.  There is no single best definition of a meaningful life or meaningful work. What shows up in yours should be a reflection of what you value most and what calls to you most ardently.

“Everyone should carefully observe

which way his heart draws him,

and then choose that way

with all his strength.”

~ Hasidic Saying

The more deeply anchored in who you are at your core and what brings the real meaning to your life, the more energy you have to push forward. So what is it you desire to be of lasting impact that has significance to you?  We all make a significant lasting impact, or can choose to, in the sphere of our influence. Sometimes we make a lasting impact that was not intended, might as well go for what we intend.

You can put your best work forth and make a lasting impact by using your signature strengths, your unique attributes, and most deeply held values in service of your big picture.  Whether your work is as a solo business owner, in the c-suite, as an employee or at home. You get the outcomes you want when you take specific actions that build from your strengths, are supported by your attitude and are rooted in the callings of your heart. Getting to really big outcomes takes moxie. Moxie comes from being clear and unwavering about the callings of your heart.

Four Questions to Plan An Extraordinary Year

I use these four questions to plan my year, usually in December because I want to be focused, ready to embrace the possibilities of a New Year on January 1. (Well maybe January 2).  The answers I come up result in a plan for making the New Year extraordinary.

  1. What am I longing for in my life? Not what you need to do, but what you are yearning for from the marrow of your bones. What is it you would most like to experience or feel in 2012? Your answer is the motivating force for the choices you make, and subsequent outcomes you get.  Your answer points to a course of action whether you want travel to Europe, increase the impact of your business, let go of the mental baggage you have been carrying around or get into the shape of you life.  When you are clear about the deeper reason behind your intent, the more powerful your actions will be on the practical level.
  2. What can I reach for that will meet that longing? Not what is the pie in the sky I can’t possibly ever get there reach. Rather the stretch that if you made, to the best of your abilities would indeed meet this yen of yours. Is it to be the best provider possible for your family, customers or employees? Maybe it is to step into a new role professionally? Could it be to preserve time for your own creative work?
  3. What would need to be true for me to meet that longing? Your answer might encompass any number of things. You might need to acquire new skills, or strengthen existing ones. You might need to let go of patterns of thinking that no long serve you well. You might just find that you have everything in place, but need to make use of the resources available to you. Maybe you need to stop being scared of you.
  4. What will give me the courage to reach for more? This is not about bragging or smugness. It is about standing firm in your intent and the sense of your own value. It is what will help you find your mojo, your chutzpah, so you remain unwavering in even moments of doubt or challenge. Maybe you are tired of being afraid of what people might thing of the whole, real you?  Maybe it is just the time to start now untangling the knots in your life.

This year I want to help you have an extraordinary year, so I am offering a limited number of complementary “My Extraordinary Year” discovery sessions.  If you are:

  • Ready to stop chasing balance and start finding fulfillment
  • Ready to get of a rut
  • Want the courage to claim time for yourself
  • Longing to get in sync with what calls most deeply from your heart

Take me up on the offer for a complementary  “My Extraordinary Year” discovery session. These are first come first serve. There are only 20 available.

During the 30-minute session we will do three things. First create a clear vision about what you really want. Then we will explore obstacles that are getting in your way. Finally we will outline the next steps you can take to move forward. These will be scheduled between January 4 and January 25, 2012.

Make 2012 the year to reconnect to the light inside you and live by your most deeply held truths.  One of my clients said it best, “I am beyond thrilled to be realistically, authentically in touch with who I am. I have tools to understand my own person and the gifts that are uniquely mine. I am not fearful of myself any more.”- Banking VP, November 2011. Now that is a great foundation for her 2012.

I invite you to book your “My Extraordinary Year” discovery session now.

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Zen of Rhinestone Application, part 2

August 14th, 2009

Over the past three weeks I have applied more than 1350 individual rhinestones to my competition dresses. If you are not careful with lighting you could blind yourself from the glare of the shine.

Each rhinestone must be hand placed and secured with a tiny daub of special glue developed for this purpose. This is a slow process that requires careful attention and a steady heady hand.  Once you commit a stone to the fabric with glue there is no going back. Wiping up excess or misplaced glue is not really possible; the fabric is permanently marked, changed.

Knowing what you want as a final look, a final result is of absolute importance. Planning ahead of time for a design pays off, as does some practice.   Wise practices for anything thing in life you really want to do well.

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