Kit Prendergast, PCC
Kit brings you a wealth of expertise and experience as well as a wonderful spirit, energy, and a gift for inspiring you to create the life you truly want for yourself.Kit's Tips & Books
Kits Tag Cloud
Brain Science business Career change coaching communication cross-cultural Emotional Intelligence energy engagement entrepreneurship Global Volunteerism happiness inspiration Leadership learning management millenials motivation Multigenerational Networking optimism Positive Psychology Relationships resiliency social media strengths success Talent Development teams training transition VisioningKit's Favorite Resources
-
Blog Archive
- October 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
Category Archives: Inspirational Leadership
Going Through Change “Backwards”
It might surprise you but we usually go through transitions in our lives “backwards”. As I told you in my last blog “a change” and “a transition” are very different. A change is an external event and a transition is the internal psychological adjustment to the change. So the challenge is not the change but rather the emotional transition and that varies greatly depending on the timing, intensity, impact and duration of the change. So what do I mean by going through this process by backwards?
3 Phases of Transition
William Bridges, author of numerous books on transitions, explains that there are three phases of a psychological transition. These are:
- The Ending
- The Neutral Zone
- The New Beginning
We don’t start with embracing the new beginning as many would think. It’s perfectly normal (and healthy) to recognize and deal with the losses of what is ending first before being able to move on to that Neutral Zone and then finally into the New Beginning. Think about changes you’ve had in the past. Maybe a new job, a move to a new community or maybe a new relationship. It’s critical to “let go” of that all identity, routine and comforts before being able to move on to that new beginning.
The Whirlwind of the Neutral Zone
The middle phase is one of great turmoil but also of opportunity. The old ways are gone but in its place is the chance for new growth. This is the phase that we see that entrepreneur spirit – the creation of new and exciting ventures. Think of yourself and also of your business in times of change. I bet you were far more willing to try something new during this whirlwind of the middle phase. It’s an opportunity – embrace it!
Building Strategic Alliances
Just yesterday I was reminded again about how wise it is for business people to actively build strategic alliances. I had gotten a message through LinkedIn from a new licensed clinical social worker who was just starting her practice here in Reno. She had gotten my name through a mutual colleague and wanted to meet me over coffee. She explained that she was interested in my coaching work and wanted to share what she was doing – and then maybe we could refer to each other as needed.
What’s the Benefit for Me?
Was I interested? Absolutely! First, I love to meet new professionals that are starting their own businesses. I want to see them succeed and if I can encourage and support them I certainly will. Second, I am always updating my own referral list – for local counselors, resume writers and consultants with specific expertise that I don’t have. I enjoy being known as a “go-to” person and I’m delighted to connect others with those that can help them. It’s a win-win for all of us.
How To: Building Strategic Alliances
Building strategic alliances that are mutually beneficial is a practiced skill. It is identifying what you need to be more successful (just as this woman did), what someone else needs to be equally successful and then forming a strategic alliance to make that happen. And it’s just as important to form these alliances inside an organization if you’re working for someone else as it is when you have your own business. Here’s how to begin:
- Identify 3 areas you want to improve or expand in your work
- Ask around . . . “Who else does this kind of work?”
- Keep asking to see who knows who – can you get a personal introduction?
- Reach out and invite the individual to coffee – see if there is a positive energy between you
- And then explore “How can we help each other be more successful?”
My Challenge to You
It’s the summer and work schedules are often more relaxed. This is a perfect time to build contacts and relationships. My challenge to you is to take this time to reach out and get to know at least three new professionals working in related fields. Choose people that you think you would genuinely enjoy and that you see a possibility of your work mutually benefiting each other. If one out of the three works out that is great success. And then let me know how it goes!
The Power of Optimism!
Optimism is a powerful business tool. It is a magnet. People gravitate toward others that project that positive energy, spirit and belief in the future. It is good business whether you own your own company, work in collaboration with others or are employed by someone else. Adopting an optimistic outlook (yes, you can learn it) makes all the difference in your personal power, influence and future business success.
What is Optimism?
“Optimism is the ability to look at the brighter side of life and to maintain a positive attitude even in the face of adversity”. Bar-On 2002 Optimistic people have hope. They are energetic and self-motivated because they perceive difficult situations as:
- temporary with an end in sight
- as not being their fault (bigger than just them)
- that they have control in how they respond (a choice)
Teaching Yourself to Be Optimistic
So how do you learn to be optimistic? Yes, we first learn optimism from those adult figures in our early childhood but as the years go by we can also teach ourselves to be more optimistic. We do this by shifting how we think, speak and act. It takes self-awareness and daily practice.
Here are five ways to bring more optimism into your life.
- Think Differently (practice realistic abundance thinking not scarcity thinking)
- Speak Differently (use words and ideas that expand not restrict your perceptions)
- Act Differently (step into possibilities, act “As If”)
- Develop an “Optimistic Network” (actively seek out others that boost your energy)
- Sleep & Laugh More (physical & emotional self-care)
The ROI of Optimism
Is it worth the effort? My answer is yes! Try it and see. On the business side, optimistic people are like magnets. Others gravitate to them – they want to do business with them. Optimistic people expect to be successful and their positive attitude and energy attract opportunities.
On the personal side, optimistic people are physically and emotionally healthier, have significantly more positive relationships with family and friends, are well-connected to their communities and generally enjoy and appreciate their daily lives. They live in abundance not scarcity.
So be that person that others seek out – there is no down side only multiple benefits for you!
Summertime! Can’t Get Anything Done
Okay, I have an attitude problem. I just can’t get anything done. My mind is gone . . . and it’s on the beach at Lake Tahoe or on that tandem bike down in Geneoa. It feels great to finally have some warm weather here in Northern Nevada. Just last Monday morning, June 6th, it looked like the old days of living in Norway – cold & wet. But now it’s is lovely and I’m ready to just play. So how do I “self-coach” myself to not bolt out the office with flip flops & swimsuit in hand at noon each day? Now you might be much more disciplined that I am but just in case you struggle with this same delicious impulsive behavior here are three good tips . . .
Keep the “To-Do” List Very Short
I like to work with odd numbers. So this morning I said I would get five main “work-related” tasks done. No more – no less. I write that list down and check it off. Some of the tasks I even break into smaller pieces so I can give myself lots of credit for getting part of the bigger elephant eaten. I turn off the music, close the blinds and not allow myself to wander off down the hallway to chat with colleagues. And lots of celebration for getting those five tasks done. After all, it’s summertime!
“Chunk” Your Time
Remember this ‘ole way of maximizing your time and energy. Take your day and divide it up into chunks of time. And then decide what tasks are the most important and put those into the chunk of time that you are the most energetic, alert and productive. For us business owners, put in anything to do with the financial end of your business into this prime time. I know that I am much more productive early in the morning – I can get more done at 5:30am than the whole evening before. So I try to minimize working late at night and instead just get up a bit earlier in the morning. That early morning “chunk” is my best time.
Plan Ahead to Slow Down
If you can, plan ahead to enjoy the summer. Being an obsessive planner myself, I mapped out the summer months way back when we were buried in snow in January. I blocked out time on the wall calendar that I knew I would either be back on the East Coast, hitting the wineries with my identical twin or transporting various college kids back and forth to their schools. If I can, I slow down the number of training commitments I make for the summer months and instead schedule those in the early fall. Usually, that is just fine with others since they also want to be less hurried and stressed during these nice warm days.
Finally, just go do it. Slide out the door discreetly and head for either the Truckee River to float your toes or grab up those vacationing kids and head up to Lake Tahoe. After all, summertime only comes once a year!
Posted in And a Bit More, Inspirational Leadership, Your Time & Energy
Tagged energy, motivation
Leave a comment
“City Slickers”: The Ultimate Internship
I just finished laughing my way through the classic movie “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal. Do you remember this one? It’s all about three good friends in the throes of middle age who sign up to be volunteers on a cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado. I’ve watched it many times and love the themes of friendship, adventure and finding what is uniquely meaningful to each of us in different chapters of our lives.
The Ultimate Unpaid Internship
But this time, I watched this movie from a different perspective . . . here are three friends paying a lot of money to essentially be volunteers on this cattle drive. As the story goes, the paid cowhands disappear one by one leaving only the volunteers and the herd of cattle. The other volunteers bail out – after all they are suppose to be “on vacation” leaving behind our three cowboy heroes. Now the cowboy volunteers are not getting paid to “bring the herd in” but they are committed. So risking life and limb in torrential rains they drive the herd for miles and deliver the livestock successfully to the cattle ranch owners several days later. For their efforts, the boss refunds their money and each of our cowboys goes home knowing that they have finally found the true “it” in their lives.
Working Without Pay But Loving It
Written in 1991, City Slickers gives us a fascinating glimpse at what would become a career & economic phenomenon in the 2000’s. People of all ages being willing to work for no or little pay for the experience and possible opportunities that this work could open up for them – sometimes even paying out of their own pocket for the opportunity (as I’ll be doing when I work in Greece in October). These positions can be called any number of things: internships, externships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, mentoring etc.
Both my college-age daughter and niece are doing summer internships here in Northern Nevada. Why? They are enjoying having this inside track to experience and do things they wouldn’t have been able to do through traditional hiring practices. And it very likely this unpaid work will give them some advantage in future paid job opportunities.
Is It Worth It?
I have to believe that it’s a win-win for both the intern and the businesses but it is an interesting wrinkle when interns are being used more and more to replace paid staff especially in a deep recession as we have been experiencing. In a brand new book “Intern Nation” Ross Perlin explores both the history and the pros and cons of “contingency labor”. It’s fascinating. Watch for more on this topic in my July First Monday Tip Newsletter. For now, I’m with Billy Crystal and his fellow “unpaid interns”. It’s too much fun to miss!