• (Part II) Making Your Commitments – Well Done

    Beef Kabobs - Well DoneEvery day we makes choices on how to spend our time and energy.  It is important to the people in our lives that we  follow through with the commitments we make both personally and professionally.  Great satisfaction comes from a job that is  done well and wonderful feedback is given when a relationship is built on quality characteristics.  We all have vital roles in life and you will make a huge impact on the people your life touches.  The question is will your impact be positive one for the people in your life?  What are some of the common the characteristics of people who keep their commitments to others:

    • Integrity – adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character (Dictionary.com) Someone who does the right thing no matter what especially when they make a mistake or miss a deadline.  Take responsibility for your actions.
    • Honesty – whether it is someone in your personal or professional life you will quickly learn who do and those who do not tell the truth.  The truth can sting and be hurtful, however, it is the best way to handle any situation.  You can try to cover something up but eventually the truth will be revealed.  Make sure to always speak the truth in love.  Be honest today in your relationships.
    • Dependable – do what you say you will do and be where you say you will be.  Be punctual as much as possible.  A dependable person demonstrates to  others that they are valuable and their time is appreciated.  When you tell a friend you are coming, it’s pretty simple…..come.  Unforeseeable things can happen and if that is the case contact them as soon as possible.  Be considerate of the person who is expecting to see you or receive something from you.
    • Trustworthy – when someone shares with you they are opening up their hearts and minds to you.  Whether it is a client you are helping complete a project or a friend going through a tough time.  Listen and help.  If someone shares with you in confidence it simply must remain in confidence.  When you make a promise follow through.  It takes work to build healthy relationships with the people in your life.

    We all desire to be appreciated and know who we can trust to be honest, trustworthy, and dependable.  It is important to have people in your life you can count on to come through for you both personally and professionally.  Life is short and we need the positive impacts in our lives.  Take time to evaluate the characteristics that shine through in your life to your family, friends, business partners, etc…  Make sure you have commitments that are – well done.  What are some positive characteristics you have that help you build positive relationships and keep your commitments?  Do you have areas you need to improve in as well?

  • How Do You Like Your Commitments? Rare or Medium or Well Done

    Steak When you make a commitment do you follow through until completion?  Do you do what you say you will do?  It seems pretty simple, however, I am finding that it really is more difficult then people realize.  There can be many reasons for not following through with a promise or commitment.  Here are some common trends I have noticed:

    • Forgetfulness – did not write it down or completely forgot to do it for whatever reason.  Maybe it was a conversation in passing, for example, you ran into a friend that you haven’t spoken to in a long time at the grocery store and you mention that you need to get together for lunch sometime to catch up.  You promised send an email that night with available times to meet for lunch.  You didn’t have a place to write it down and you truly forgot.  If this happens follow up as soon as you remember with apologies.
    • Over Booked –  promises to too many people therefore making it impossible to complete all the commitments you have made.  You are in the doctors office for an appointment with your little one and they have to run tests.  The doctor promises to call tomorrow with the results and  the next day comes and goes with no word from the doctor.  We only have 24 hours a day, until we figure out a way to increase that amount of time we have make sure to allot enough time to fulfill those commitments that must be done each day.
    • Something Better – a promise was made to help someone but something more exciting comes up.   What if you had a babysitter lined up to watch your kids while you were at a business event and she decided to go bowling with her friends instead that night leaving you scrambling to find someone to watch the kids.  Be considerate and treat others with respect.
    • Emergency – this is a valid reason for postponing a commitment, however, if everything is an emergency people will quickly realize that it is an excuse.  It is important to not over use this one.  Car accidents, death in the family, and other true emergencies are understandable and most people will allow you plenty of time to catch up.  Make sure to let people know what is going on as soon as possible.
    • Miscommunication – we all have different ways of communicating and a commitment can get muddle in translation from one party to the next.  When someone says they will send the information over to you “soon” what does that mean (today, tomorrow, within the next week or within the next month, etc….)  What you say can be translated into something very different for those on the receiving end.  Make sure to be as specific as possible and clarify as often as necessary.  If your schedule is booked this week offer to do it the following week.  Be honest and make sure you understand what the expectations are before making the commitment.

    Use common sense when making promises to family, friends, and business acquaintances.  Whenever possible try to use definite and attainable goals.  Give people a deadline or point of reference.  If you do state a specific day or time make sure you follow through.  When possible get it done earlier then promised and you will win even more brownie points for future projects.  Treat others with the respect and honesty you would want.

    Have you noticed other common reasons for not following through?  What ways do you keep track of the commitments you make?  How do you make sure that you have followed through on your promises?

  • Spread the Entrepreneurial Spirit

    team Are you a contagious entrepreneur?  Have you considered starting a business?  Do you own a small business?  I love spotting the entrepreneurial spirit in people.  They are excited about their business and their passion shines through in their lives.

    Growing up in a family business instilled the passion for entrepreneurship in me at an early age.  I felt compelled to start my first business in junior high school with my siblings doing custom hay and harvesting work for local farmers.  Again in college I started a residential cleaning company to help pay for college.  I am excited to have the opportunity to interact with some of the most amazing entrepreneurs through my current business InSource Executives and Enterprise Launch.  I want to encourage those who are entrepreneurs, small business owners, or new startups because you can accomplish anything you want.

    Signs you are a contagious entrepreneur:

    • Share your Excitement – as an entrepreneur you are passionate about the products and services you have to offer.  When someone sees your excitement they will want to know more.  Many entrepreneurs are passionate about what they do and it shows!
    • Help Others – when you have the opportunity to pitch in and help someone do it.  Whether it is in your personal or professional life you need to be a part of their journeys as well.  Be giving of your time and energy when you can.  Everyone needs to be treated with respect and we all have times when help from a friend is the perfect pick-me-up.  Bring a meal to a new Mom, help a friend move, spend time to help a client complete a project, babysit so your friends can have a night out, share contact information that will be beneficial to someone else, etc…
    • Spread the Positive – what comes around goes around.  I truly believe that sharing the positive will stimulate a positive chain of reactions.  Always remember to spread good cheer to those around you.  Life is full of hurdles so try to look at the bright side of every situation.  Positive attitudes are contagious and much more encouraging to be around.

    The entrepreneurs that I have the opportunity to meet are incredible!  Seeing their entrepreneurial spirit shine through is encouraging.  I am thrilled to be a part of the business community and look forward to meeting the more great people this week.  Are you a contagious entrepreneur?  What are ways you spread the entrepreneurial spirit?

  • A Balanced Life

    Kreativität Life can be a juggling act when trying to balance your schedule with work, family, friends, appointments, social activities and everything that squeezes into a day.  The days fill up and schedules will overlap but we can still use our time effectively.  Here are some quick ways to help organize your schedule so you have the joy of accomplishment without the extra stress:

    • Color Coded Calendar – our family has a color coded calendar on the wall so everyone can see the activities for the day.  We know what each family member is doing at a quick glance.  Even our young children get excited to see a special family event with their color on the calendar.  You can have a color coded calendar just for you with one color for business appointments, another color for social time, a color for doctor visits, etc….
    • Clean Out Your Inbox – some days it feels like I can spend the entire day writing and responding to emails.  Try scheduling an hour first thing in the morning when you get into work and an hour at the end of the day to focus on sending and responding to emails.  Handle your work emails during those times and respond to personal emails in the evenings and on weekends.  Focus completely on emails during that time, put your phone on silence or close your office door if you need to.  Avoid interruptions so you can get it done.  If you think you’ll go too long set a timer and when it buzzes, stop.
    • Time to Talk – schedule phone time each day for returning calls, initiating calls, scheduling appointments, and completing projects.  It is important to follow up with business connections as well as family and friends.  Keep your personal calls during work hours to a minimum and utilize that time to schedule business appointments and work related calls.  Call family and friends in the evenings or weekends to make sure you have enough time to catch up with them.
    • Plan your Dinner – plan your week of meals prior to going to the grocery store.  Lay out the recipe  and any items you can prior to leaving for work that morning so when you get home it is ready to be put together.  If you have a crockpot they are fabulous for people working that want to come home to a meal.  Put the main course in before work and when you come home add a side of veggies and fruit then your dinner is ready.  Pack the leftovers for lunch at work.
    • Double Duty Meals – you can easily accomplish multiple tasks when you work through an occasional breakfast and lunch.  Have lunch with your business partner and brainstorm about the business.  Meet a friend for lunch to catch up and let the kids run out their energy while you talk.  Take lunch at your desk so you can get through an extra project.  You have to eat so mix up your meals and pick a couple days when you will meet someone during a mealtime.  If on a budget or tight schedule grab coffee together.
    • Project Creativity – time needs to be set aside daily to complete projects both personally and professionally.  Determine what needs to be accomplished that day and make sure you have time allocated to get it done including projects that you are doing with your clients.  Same goes for the personal side of life somehow the laundry doesn’t get done on its own and the house cleaned unless you take the time to do it.  Take into consideration the amount of energy and concentration you will need for the project and make sure it fits into your day at an ideal time.
    • Quick Sweep – clean off your desk, organize your office, file papers, and other office work items 15 minutes a day (set a timer if you need to).  By dedicating even a brief time to this on a daily basis you will be able to maintain a cleaner more organized office space. I have been known to let it pile up over several days and then it can take hours to dig myself back out.  Make it brief and daily so that it is more effective and organized.

    It is important that your time is utilized efficiently.  You will have  interruptions, however, doing your best to schedule time to complete specific tasks throughout the day will allow you to be more productive and focused.  Every one of us has the same 24 hours in a day and we must make choices on how to use the time given to us.  What are some activities you do that help keep your day balanced?

  • What Are You Missing?

    crowds in subway Do you have days that get filled with so many activities and projects that you feel as if you are rushing from one item to the next?  Maybe it is just our schedule…… although I think we all need reminded occasionally of the important things in our lives. It is rather easy to fill your day with appointments, projects, and errands that need to be done both in our personal and professional lives.  Then there are days that unexpected emergencies pop up and demand our attention as well…..finishing an extra project at work with a co-worker that has a deadline, taking a sick child to the Doctor, visiting a friend that needs encouragement, a flat tire on the vehicle you are driving, and so many more.

    During these busy days I want to encourage you to remember those things that you are truly passionate about and the people in your life who are important to you.  We miss out on so many blessings in our lives because we do not pause long enough to notice and appreciate them.  I am blessed beyond measure with a loving husband, two beautiful daughters, amazing friends, a great business that helps others, comfortable home, food to eat, clothes to wear, and so much more.  However, on those rushed days it is harder to relax and be content even with the many blessings in my life because the little issues seem bigger and more stressful.  On those days it is even more critical that I focus any extra energy I have on that which is truly valuable.  It is amazing how quickly a thankful heart can lift your spirits.

    My heart goes out to so many who are going through a tough season in their lives right now.  May you be encouraged and know that no matter what your current circumstance may be we all have something to be thankful for in our lives.  As we go into the weekend think about what you are thankful for and pause for a moment to focus on that instead of all the inconveniences of life.  Relax and enjoy an incredible weekend focusing on your passions and the people in your life.  What are your passions?  Who are you thankful in your life?

  • Dream It, Believe It, Do It

    Book and Quill Pen Yes, it is true we are nearly halfway through the first month of 2010.  Have you taken the time to evaluate the things that drive you personally and professionally?  What are you passionate about?  It is amazing to think we are already off to another great start and yet some have not taken the time to think about what you want to accomplish this week, month, year, and in your lifetime.  Although it is difficult to sit down and write out your goals it is important take  time to do it.  Great quote……

    “It’s a dream until you write it down…then it’s a goal.”  – Anonymous

    • Brainstorm and Get Your Ideas Out – every day for the next several days take time to write out your thoughts, goals, hopes, and wishes both personally and professionally.  Write about what you want for yourself, your family, friends, business, and career.  It doesn’t have to be written neatly or in complete sentences the purpose is to get it out of your head and onto paper.
    • Write them down – take the information from your brainstorming sessions and write down specific goals that you want to accomplish in 2010 and beyond.  Do this for the areas in your life that are important to you – personally, physically, spiritually, family, friends, professionally, and any other areas that you want to improve.
    • Make them Measurable – you need to be able to gauge your advancement towards the goals.  Found time regularly to review how you are doing.  Believe in yourself and that you can accomplish your dreams.  If you are starting to get behind on a goal step it up a few notches and make sure to find ways to stay positive.  Keep moving forward, you can do it.
    • Challenging and Accomplishable – if you can reach all your goals by the end of the first quarter they are not challenging enough.  Or if it is impossible to reach them within the time period you set than you need to review the goals.  You want constantly to stretch yourself to reach new levels of success.
    • Recharge – share your goals with your accountability partners and meet with them regularly.  It is wise to have people in your life that will be honest with you.  They will help encourage you to continue reaching for those areas where you are wanting to grow.

    Wishing you a truly wonderful 2010 year full of happiness, success, great memories, and joy.  Continue to evaluate your goals and push forward.  Be positive and celebrate your successes!  What are some of your goals for 2010 and beyond?

  • Accountability Partners

    PartnersAs we come to the close of the 2009 year take some time to reflect back on all the good times, the challenges, and fun memories that have been made over the past few months.  Great business projects have been completed.  Kids are a year older and have learned many new skills.   We are a little wiser after the year we have gone through.

    We all have wonderful people that are active in our families and lives.  It is essential both personally and professionally to have accountability partners to help encourage us to continue to succeed.  You probably have some of these people in your life already.  One of your personal accountability partners could be another Wife and Mom who is the same season of life as you or someone who has already gone through it and more experienced.  Maybe you need an accountability partner that encourages you to eat right, exercise, and get your rest.    Your business accountability partner can be someone who is starting or a seasoned business owner.  Pick people that are positive and encouraging to be around.  Here is a list of a few attributes to have in your accountability partners:

    • Trust – you will be sharing both your successes and struggles so  you  need someone who you can trust.  Having an established relationship or common bond is beneficial.  An accountability partner that has been successful in the area that they are encouraging you in builds the trust as well.  (For example – if you are a Mom another Mom as a parental accountability partner would be better than having a teenager.  OR  Someone that has a successful business would be more beneficial to you if you are starting or have a business than someone who has never done it nor has the desire to own a business).
    • Honest – it is important to have accountability partners that will be honest with you even if it is hard to hear what they have to say.  Having someone listen and give feedback is essential.  No one has the perfect solution for every problem but together you can come up with some amazing ideas that will help you get to the next stage in life and business.
    • Creative – having someone who can offer creative solutions that will help you make the current situation or projects you are working on even better is crucial.  When two or more people brainstorm together ideas will come alive.  Life can throw some difficult situations your way so having the ability to creatively come up with ways to successfully move forward is vital.
    • Available – you will need to meet on a regular basis with each of your accountability partners.  Whether it is once a week, month, or quarter make it part of the schedule.  You do not have to meet for hours each time but at least allow enough time to catch up and work through some specific details that are going on in your life.

    It is good idea to have more than one personal and professional accountability partner.  Whether these people are family, friends, paid  professionals or coaches it is important that they reflect on the positive and have a good level of success in their personal and professional lives.  You will receive a great mix of wisdom from these people in your life.  You may be unofficially doing this with family and friends already, make it official and part of your routine.  Take time to sincerely thank the people who are your accountability partners because they have invested their time and energy in your life.

    Be an accountability partner for others as well.  You will be blessed by helping family, friends, and business professionals.  It is a positively rewarding experience having the opportunity to listen, encourage and be a part of other peoples lives.   If you know someone you want to encourage then step up and volunteer to help them.  It is profoundly beneficial for all parties actively involved in an accountability partnership.

    Think about the people you want to be your accountability partners and ask them to be a part of your life.   Get started by covering the important areas in your life (personally, physically, spiritually, and professionally).  You will quickly notice the blessing of having these people in your life.  Who are your  partners and what are their best attributes?

  • Merry Christmas!

    Christmas TreeWishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!  May it be a time full of great memories, delicious food, laughter and meaningful fellowship.  It is an ideal time to catch up with family, friends and neighbors.   Have fun catching the excitement with your kids and the people who will be sharing the Holiday with your family.

    We are fortunate to live in an area where there are a lot of wonderful activities.  It has been neat visiting the Festival of Trees at the Hyatt, Christmas parades, driving through various neighborhoods to see all the lights and decorations, and many more fun activities.   Hot chocolate, Christmas stories by the tree, and fun family activities are great traditions to start or continue.  Take time to create memories with those you love whether it is doing community events or spending fun times at home.

    Share a tradition or Christmas memory with us.  It is awesome learning what others do to make their Holiday Season memorable.  Merry Christmas!!!

  • Celebrating the Successes!

    Celebrating the SuccessAs we reflect back on 2009 let’s celebrate our accomplishments.  It has been a year full of surprises, challenges, and blessings for ourselves as well as the many people in our lives.  There have been goals that exceeded our expectations while others proved to be great character building opportunities.  Take a moment to objectively review your goals whether you have them written down or not.  It is a wonderful a time to remember both the personal and professional opportunities that have taken place over the past few months.  Here are a few areas to review:

    • Relationships – certain relationships may have blossomed into something even more precious while others have gone in less desirable directions.  Have you been taking time to nurture and grow your relationships over the past year?  We are blessed with wonderful family members, friends, and professionals that need our time and attention.
    • Health – we can be thankful for each day that we have an opportunity to enjoy.  We may be in perfect health or possibly we have overcome some health challenges personally or gone through it with a friend or family, whatever our case may be, we are blessed with another day to make an impact on the lives of those around us.
    • Finances – it has been a great year for some while very difficult year for others.  The neat part is many people have taken the time to learn how to budget, cut back on the extras, and show their family ways to give to those who are going through a tough season.   It is a wonderful time of year to be thankful for what you have and to help others.
    • Knowledge – everyday is filled with new opportunities to learn and gain experience.  Many exciting activities have taken place in the lives of those around us – new businesses have been started, Social Media has been a whirlwind of new experiences, couples were married, children were born, schooling completed, and many other great accomplishments were made.  Think about the new experiences in your life and how you are a better person because of the knowledge you have gained this year.

    Whether it has been a wildly successful or challenging year for you we all have accomplishments that we can be thankful for in our lives.   And for those goals that you haven’t quite met yet you still have a couple more weeks.  Give it all you got!

  • “Amazing People”

    Amazing PeopleAll of us have people in our lives that are fascinating and motivating to be around.   It has been a privilege to have these people in my life both personally and professionally.  What makes a person “Amazing”?

    As I reflect on the people in my life I began to notice some common attributes:

    • Respectful – they are polite and show consideration for others.   Whether your a parent teaching your children manners or a professional working in the business community respect for others goes a long way in building positive relationships.
    • Exciting – they know how to motivate others to action with a high level of energy that is contagious.  A lot of passion is put into their activities and projects which makes others want to be a part of it.
    • Integrity – they uphold a code of ethical principles and sound character.  They are consistent and do what they say they will do both personally and in business.
    • Trustworthy – they are a confidant and person you trust to be honest to the people in their lives.  They know how to speak the truth because it is their desire to improve the lives of their family, friends, and business partners.

    First, think about what it takes to be an amazing person and strive to be one yourself.   Each day enrich the lives of those around you through respectfulness, excitement, integrity, and trust.  Surround yourself with amazing people both personally and professionally.  Together as a business community or as a group of family and friends you can make a positive impact in the lives of others.   Do you have “Amazing People” in your life and if so what are some of their attributes?