Category Archives: Your Time & Energy

Time Stands Still in Gold Country

Ahhh . . . my first cup of coffee in the morning.  I’m sitting in the breakfast room of Grey Gables Inn, a delightful B&B in the heart of California gold country.   It’s pouring rain outside but wonderfully cozy inside.  And it’s a Monday morning to boot!  Roger and Sue Garlick, Innkeepers, have created an oasis here in Sutter Creek.  The gardens are magnificent and the one street ‘ole time town is just a short walk away.

Time Stands Still

We’ have only been here one night (with husband Wally for 24th anniversary) but time has definitely slowed down.  Since it was Easter Sunday nothing was open when we drove down and here at the Inn there’s no TV, no laptops, no household chores and no office “to-do” lists.  It feels wonderful!  My favorite time was just enjoying a glass of wine and stories with Innkeeper Roger and a few of the other guests last night before heading out to dinner.

And Energy Picks Up

But now I feel an up-tick of energy and I can almost hear Lee Marvin and the other gold miners singing about that  “gold, gold, gold in ’em hills”.   And I remember that great scene with them huddled under the tarps in the pouring rain singing for their love “Mariah”.   So with my second cup of coffee in hand, and despite the steady rain, I feel rested and renewed.  We’re off to enjoy exploring a new route back to Reno – up and over the mountains – snow & rain & gold & wine.  And as soon as I get home, I’m going to watch Paint Your Wagon –  I’m sure I still have the VHS somewhere.  Tomorrow it’s back to the office with new energy!

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Stepping Into Your Own Brilliance

What an exciting thought!  You are brilliant.  And you are are the verge of stepping into that brilliance in this next career chapter.  So why is it so hard to remember what we’re really good at and what we really enjoy?  During busy and stressful times we often forget the gifts that we bring to our workplaces and even to our families.  We can easily slip into more of a “survivor” mode – just getting through the days the best we can.  But what are we sacraficing when we do that?  A lot!  We lose (and others lose) from us not being at our best and using our talents for others.

So if you’re ready to step into your own brilliance take a moment to reflect back to times that you have been at your best.  Remember how you felt, how others responded to you and the outcome of the things you were doing.  No doubt . . . in those moments you were using your natural talents in some capacity.  Wow!  Now that feels good.  So take it the next step . . . develop your natural talents into career strengths.

Identify Your Natural Talents

A natural talent is the way we think, act or behave that comes easily to us with genuine enjoyment.  It’s like “second nature”.  And our natural talents often have a central theme to them – much like a golden thread running through them.

Step back and ask yourself these five questions.

  • What do I gravitate toward?
  • What appeals to me spontaneously?
  • What comes easily to me?
  • What attracts others to me? What do they say I’m good at?
  • What do I genuinely enjoy doing?  Who do I enjoy being?

What do you see?  Do you find you gravitate toward work with ideas, things or people?  And what do you like to see happen as a result of your involvement?  Keep it simple.  Try and identify five general themes for yourself.

Develop Talents into Career Strengths

Now add knowledge, skills and a dash of practice to develop your natural talents into career strengths.  Seek out opportunities that will give you a chance to use your natural talents.  Need to add some knowledge or more skills?  Then sign up for professional development classes; get a mentor or volunteer in a capacity that you can shine!

Give yourself a bit of time and then enjoy being known for bringing top performance to your work consistently.  And the icing on the cake is that you are genuinely at your best.  Feels pretty good, doesn’t it!

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Welcome

As many of you know, blogging is taking a step out into the unknown – at least it is for me! I’m taking some of my own advice and stretching, exploring, and expanding my skills and reach.

Join me in my new journey. I’ll be bringing you new tips as I come across them, my thoughts about books I’m reading and information I’m sharing.

But even more, I’m here to listen to what YOU have to say. So, check in. Leave a comment. We’ll chat.

-Warmly, Kit

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