My project and program management background taught me a lot over the years. One exercise that I consistently did during my corporate years was a “Lesson Learned”. Often, one will move forward from project to project not reflecting or just asking “how did that go“? You know how it turned out; but, what if the outcomes were reviewed for improvement? What if, as you are developing the process manual, a few things were literally tweaked before going forward?

So, during this time each year, I actually perform a Lessons Learned in my life and in my business. I use an exercise called: Stop, Start and Continue. This model was not created by me as it’s been around for some time and used by many.

Here are a few simple steps to help you incorporate this model before you move into 2013:

#1: Stop – What will you stop doing? – What’s simply not working? What under-performing or dis-empowering habits are you willing to reduce, let go of or eliminate completely in your life, your business or career.  What’s been unproductive for you or your team and/or what can be delegated to someone else.  This new thinking can generate more time, more freedom and less stress.  In what ways did you learn from these activities or scenarios that caused you to elevate and yet they have served their purpose.  Also, what relationships will you ultimately put to rest…this is a big one!

#2: Start – What will you start doing? – What new idea’s time has come to incorporate? Where do you now what to shift your energy and focus to fulfill on a dream or outcome?  What’s important to provide to your audience, clients or customers in the coming year?  Who do you desire to include in your life or how will you start to expand your network? And, are there new areas of training and development you want to begin to add to your toolkit.

#3: Continue – What will you continue doing? – What’s really working well and where have you been successful?  Are there processes, systems and structures that continuously make a difference for you?  Who are the people in your life including friends and connections that actually serve you, celebrate and lift you up?  What could you not do without?

Use this model individually, in partnership or in a group discussion format.  You’ll reap the benefits of consistent process improvement overall.

The bottom-line: It’s critically important to reflect on your outcomes throughout the year and review opportunities for transformation.

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” ~Margaret J. Wheatley

To learn more and take the first step to discover how Pat’s transformational coaching programs can assist you, go here or to stay connected and receive tips and strategies on how to advance your career and life, go here.

Happy Holidays from the PEP Squad!

Thank you so much for allowing us to serve you and help advance your career, business and your life. May you enjoy a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year filled with purpose, empowerment and prosperity.

I look forward to connecting with you in 2013 and beyond.

Keep Advancing!

Pat E. Perkins, CPCC

Your Career Advancement Mentor

www.PatEPerkins.com
 

Goal setting is often referred to as the “secret” to success for most successful people in the world. Well, it can be very challenging to define the goals that inspire you to hold yourself accountable to what we truly want in life.  This is why each year I sit down and write out the goals I want to achieve in the New Year and then develop a plan of action to fulfill on them.  This takes something, but it’s completely worth it.

To look back during my quarterly goals review and actually see complete what I couldn’t see as even possible just a few months earlier is motivating.  There are many methods to use for creating goals and I use the SMART goal method to develop both personal and professional goals and so do many other successful people:

#1: Specific – Objective clearly states what is accomplished in terms of end result.

#2: Measurable – Objective clearly states the level of accomplishment of the end result.

#3: Attainable – Objectives are ambitious, but achievable. Objectives should ask for improvement over past performance and are based on facts, analyses and knowledge.

#4: Relevant & Remarkable – Make sure each goal is consistent with other goals you have established and fits with your short-term and long-range plans. They should be realistic, yet challenging.  In other words, develop a stretch goal.

#5: Time-bound – Results will be accomplished within a certain period of time.  Short-term and long-term objectives are differentiated in specific time measures and deadlines and milestones serve as the basis for evaluation of progress for short-term review cycles.  Such as, every 90 days.

The bottom-line: Developing goals is a way to take SMART consistent action on a daily basis and help you fulfill on what you truly want in life.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” ~Tony Robbins

To learn more and take the first step to discover how Pat’s transformational coaching programs can assist you, go here or to stay connected and receive tips and strategies on how to advance your career and life, go here.

Gratitude Jar

Year after year, we get to a season where practically the entire planet is sharing and caring in a way that’s not the norm. We kick off the holiday season with Thanksgiving and start to manifest this feeling of gratitude. What if we were to consider that the feeling we have is not based on a specific holiday, but something that’s available to us at any given moment. Without any hesitation, I simply ask that you take your current experience of gratitude during this Thanksgiving holiday weekend into your entire year. Many people have already gravitated into the shopping mode with thoughts of bargain hunting and acts of trading treasures for time and attention.

Well, my desire for you is to maintain a constant practice of gratitude by creating it and then give it away as frequently as you can. Here are a few ways you can preserve an appreciative state of mind all year long:

#1: Simply say “Thank You.” This is a complete sentence. Saying thank you when you wake in the morning begins your day with gratitude and goodwill. And, if you believe you need more, complete the sentence. For example say, “Thank You, today I am grateful for breath. “

#2: Create a Gratitude Playlist. My music list, for those times in which I’m feeling grateful or desire to create the experience includes both gospel and pop favorites. Songs such as: Great is your Mercy, I Surrender All, Nobody Greater than You, I Look to You and Imagine Me are all personally inspiring. Your list could include any genre. You know what inspires you; so make a playlist today just for you.

#3: Have a Gratitude Jar. My good friend Greg Hinton inspired me to start a gratitude jar. He puts indelible memories in a jar that he’s thankful for throughout the year. This is an activity you can adopt so when you have those experiences that bring you joy, write them down and drop them into a jar. Put your jar in a place that’s visible to you on daily basis and place a small pad and pen next to the jar so when you are prompted it will be easier to write it down. Go back and read them anytime you want to feel grateful.

#4: Send Gratitude Cards. Throughout the year, I find it very important to tell people how much I appreciate them and how grateful I am to have them in my life. In previous years, I would spend time perusing the rows at local card stores looking for just the right message to add to my card collection. One day, the card would have a purpose and a recipient and it saved me the time later searching when I needed that special card. Today, I simply use my on-line system SendOutCards which I can use to send a real card at anytime.

#5: Give Gratitude Gifts. The day before Thanksgiving, I drove around to a select list of individuals who have inspired me or showed compassion “just because.” This was not a long list, but just a few people who would least expect it. They are the type who are never looking for something in return; however, give freely and generously. This token of my appreciation is small, but specifically picked for them. This did more for me than for them. If you think about it, who actually gets a bigger kick out of giving, the giver or the receiver. I know, some of you probably said both.

The bottom-line: Make gratitude a year-long experience versus something you do only around the holidays.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

October 16th is a major day for celebration. Because of National Boss’s Day, we honor bosses around the world. This holiday was originally registered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski while working for her dad as a secretary at State Farm Insurance. She chose October 8 for his birthday. Four years later it was proclaimed and re-registered on the 16th, which was her father’s actual birthday. Well, that’s enough history for now. So, did you remember to get something for your boss?

If not, it’s never too late to show ‘em you care and appreciate their value. Gift giving may not be the easiest thing, that’s why so many of us put it off to the last minute. However, the days of the gag gift are over. If your boss sits in the same location as you, you definitely want to present a gift that can be positively remembered and functional if at all possible.

We’re usually not lacking ideas, just a little forethought. Here are some quick ideas for you, even if you have to sneak it on your boss’ desk tonight or before they come into the office.

#1: A coffee mug or pvc-free water bottle filled with her favorite candy or mints.

#2: Visit the nearest luggage store and obtain a tablet or smart-phone holder.

#3: Buy a gift card from his favorite lunch spot.

#4: Don’t forget to add a hand-written note and you’re golden.

If your boss works virtually or you’re the one off-site, send a virtual gift. Here are two last minute gift options for you to literally hit send on in less than 5 minutes.

Option 1: Send an on-line gift certificate. There are a few services on-line that will produce and email a gift certificate via cyberspace for you instantly.

Option 2: Send a same-day gift. This may cost you a little upfront; but, may be well worth the future reward. Call your local florist or major department store’s service or personal shopper. Either resource will have options for you to consider.

But, what if you’re the boss? I hear you loud and clear. You can still have a Boss’s Day do-over! Bring in treats for your staff to show your appreciate for them and how they support you in being the best you can be. And, there’s no issue with picking up a little something for yourself if you like. You deserve it!

The bottom-line: Remember to show acknowledgement; but, don’t overdo it. It’s not the price of the gift; it’s truly the thought that counts.

Your Special Gift from me: In honor of National Boss’s Day, I’m gifting 20% off my ADVANCE! Strategy Sessions from today until Thursday of this week. Use discount code “bossday” to save 20% off. My private sessions are normally $247; however, your price is only $197 until Thursday, October 18th at midnight.  Happy Boss’s Day!!

“A gift, with a kind countenance, is a double present.” ~Thomas Fuller

© 2012 Patricia Perkins LLC. WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEBSITE? Be my guest, as long as you include this complete messaging: Career Advancement Mentor, Pat E. Perkins, CPCC, helps motivated leaders advance smarter, progress faster and with less effort. Obtain her FREE CD on 7 Success Strategies at www.PatEPerkins.com.

Pat E. Perkins is known as The Career Advancement Mentor. She helps motivated leaders who want to advance in their career and their life and enjoy sustainable results in the process. Pat is the creator of the ADVANCE! Coaching System™. She will help you transform the way you navigate your career so you can progress faster, smarter and with less effort.

Obtain Pat’s Complimentary CD plus an opportunity to connect with her privately for a free consultation about your career and your life by reaching her online at www.PatEPerkins.com.

Anyone who knows me will sense that I live by Maya Angelou’s quote, “People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.” My intention is to always leave people feeling better about themselves than they did before they met me. In fact, I teach rapport building skills as a Leadership and Life Coach.  Basically, after a workshop I attended today, a few of us lingered behind to connect with the facilitator. I was smiling at a woman as she asked a question. So, it surprised me when I heard in a mumbling voice, “Why are you staring at me? You have poor social skills.”

Her comment actually made me feel sorry for her initially, and then my ego got offended. You know the “What the …” reaction. Fortunately, that only lasted a couple seconds. So, I smiled again and said. “Thank you for your feedback.” Our facilitator who overheard this was shocked and as the woman left the room, the facilitator acknowledged me for my emotional intelligence (eQ).

But, it had me consider, what was this woman thinking as I smiled at her? Was she just self-conscious, insecure or does she have low self-esteem? Does it matter? I know, I am not what someone says about me. This morning, she had drunk the Hateraid. [Definition: Something you suggest someone drink when they're being a hater, or hating on someone or something.] And, for some reason she forgot who she was or maybe she’s never awakened to who she truly is or can be.

My belief is that she saw something in me that she desired, my freedom of self-expression or generosity with people who I’ve just met. Or, how I sit in the front of the classroom and actually participate. 

One of my friends, Doreen Rainey, during her 2012 Get RADICAL Women’s Conference mentioned she did not ‘like’ Speaker Lisa Nichols at first. Now, I LOVE Lisa – always have, always will. And, while attending the eWomenNetwork Conference, through my coaxing Doreen had the opportunity to observe Lisa speak from the Main stage. This transformed her entire perception of Lisa. To date, Doreen booked Lisa as one of her conference keynote speakers and is currently one of Ms. Nichols’ clients. And, their work together is making a huge impact on the expansion of Doreen’s business. It’s interesting, she couldn’t pinpoint why she didn’t like Lisa. I would intuit that there was something she saw that called her forth so powerfully that it confronted who she knew herself to be. I know – deep right? Well, this is at a subconscious level.

Admittedly, I watch reality TV on occasion and one of the Basketball Wives (or soon to be wife) is famous for saying, “You’re not about this life!” Well, I wouldn’t go that far to agree with her quote. But, I will say that often what we envy or ‘hate on’ in another is exactly what we wish were present in our life. Thus, the green-eyed monster appears and throws us completely out of character.

My Mentor Ali Brown mentioned in one of her articles, ‘envy can be good if it highlights something you desire and powerfully calls you into action to obtain it.’ And, whether it’s a way of being, doing or having; please know that this energetic pull you may be experiencing can be used for good and not for evil.

So, be envious if it calls you forth, catch yourself rolling your eyes if somewhere in your subconscious you awaken a desire in yourself. Or, if perhaps you misspeak about a person and have to apologize later, that’s okay, too. Just be responsible for your thoughts, behaviors and words, as they shape your world.

The bottom line: Remember, you’re nobody until somebody hates on you. So, don’t drink the Hateraid, you’re way to powerful for that.

“Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. ~Buddha

© 2012 Patricia Perkins LLC. WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEBSITE? Be my guest, as long as you include this complete messaging: Career Advancement Mentor, Pat E. Perkins, CPCC, helps motivated leaders advance smarter, progress faster and with less effort. Obtain her FREE CD on 7 Success Strategies at www.PatEPerkins.com.

Pat E. Perkins is known as The Career Advancement Mentor. She helps motivated leaders who want to advance in their career and their life and enjoy sustainable results in the process. Pat is the creator of the ADVANCE! Coaching System™. She will help you transform the way you navigate your career so you can progress faster, smarter and with less effort.

Obtain Pat’s Complimentary CD plus an opportunity to connect with her privately for a free consultation about your career and your life. Reach her online at www.PatEPerkins.com.

I wish it were as easy as creating a to-do list and stepping into a ‘getter done’ mentality, but it’s not.  It takes awareness of your work habits and priorities, knowledge of what gets in the way of your productivity and taking consistent steps to form new habits of behavior that reap your desired results.  Upon looking at time management as a skill and a practice, one can greatly enhance personal performance and progress over time.

Let’s look at  7 principles to help you gain more time, reduce your overwhelm and increase your productivity:

1. Assess your time management effectiveness – What are your current practices and how effective are you at getting projects and tasks accomplished on time, as desired or better? You can assess this based on your own measurements or that of those who hold you accountable. Or, you can accurately leverage a time management tool to provide a clear picture of your priorities.
2. Develop an Accomplishment List – This list is based on your highest return based outcomes. When you consider what there is to do and handle, is it all captured and clear? Or do you get distracted by the pop up reminders that take you off track? When you have an accurate visual of what’s most important to accomplish, you have a better chance of getting it done.
3. Allocate your Time – Allocate a specific amount of time to fulfill on like tasks and attach a completion date and time. I suggest using 60 or 90 minute blocks of time in which to focus on work. Anything longer drains one’s attention span and shorter time blocks can under-estimate what it takes to sufficiently get the task accomplished as expected.
4. Leverage your Time Wisely – Remove distractions such as email pop ups, instant messaging, social media and phone calls. There are all types of ways to remove these such as using voice-mail and closing your email while you’re working on assignments. These new habits allow you to be in a distraction-free zone for chunks of time. You can always allocate time to return calls and respond to emails at scheduled times throughout the day.
5. Set Meetings as needed – There are times for face-to-face meetings and as we move to a disconnected society, I actual advocate scheduling time to connect personally. However, set shorter meeting times and above all develop an agenda prior to the meeting. A major goal of meeting is to build rapport and create results, not just meet for meeting sake.
6. Just say NO! – The most powerful word in one’s Time Management vocabulary is “no”. And, yes we must be able to clearly address the inability to accept a request from another. But you know who you are, when “yes” is an automatic response without clearly understanding the scope of the project. At least ask questions before agreeing to over-commit. This will also show your leadership and communication skills and allows you to say Yes to what matters most. Remember: No is a complete sentence.
7. Reward Yourself – Your schedule must include time for you. Making yourself a priority will give you the ability to refuel for bigger and better opportunities. Always acknowledge yourself for a job well done and be gentle with yourself. Think productivity over perfection.

The bottom line:  Make yourself a priority first, then be clear about what accomplishments reap the highest return for the investment of your time. Finally, set appropriate boundaries so you’re focused on who and what matter most.

“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

© 2012 Patricia Perkins LLC.  WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEBSITE?  Be my guest, as long as you include this complete messaging:  Career Advancement Mentor, Pat E. Perkins, CPCC, helps motivated leaders advance smarter, progress faster and with less effort.  Obtain her FREE CD on 7 Success Strategies at www.PatEPerkins.com.
About Pat E. Perkins, CPCC

Pat E. Perkins is known as The Career Advancement Mentor. She helps motivated leaders who want to advance in their career and their life and enjoy sustainable results in the process. Pat is the creator of the ADVANCE! Coaching System™. She will help you transform the way you navigate your career so you can progress faster, smarter and with less effort.

Get Pat’s Complimentary CD plus an opportunity to connect with her privately for a free consultation about your career.  Reach her online at www.PatEPerkins.com.

Particularly, it’s important to keep the affinity to what you’ve chosen to do as a profession. If there is no spark or passion, it’s easy to fall out of love with your career after a few years and sometimes after just a several months.

You take on a leadership role to establish yourself and to experience a sense of accomplishment. You go into business for freedom and to make a difference. Then, one day you look up and wonder how did I get here and why am I doing this?  Well it’s time to take a new look at your career, recommit to your purpose and take actions consistent to what you want…true love for what you do and who you serve.

Here are 14 ways I’ve outlined to help you do just that, fall back in love with your career:

1. Write your performance review now – Start with the end in mind.  Write your own appraisal as if it already happened.  This is the ground work for developing goals and planned outcomes.  Then, identify what actions would be consistent with the future outcomes you desire.  And, get to work on each one.
2. Schedule a 1:1 with your manager or your team – Be proactive.  Don’t wait until there is a problem, before you sit down together.  Set an agenda, schedule a convenience time and review your top objectives, goals, strategies and measurements.  This will highlight your value to you and others.  Could be quite the pick me up you need.
3. Work from home one day – Take your meetings in your pajamas.  This is only for the disciplined, however.  Working from home one or two days a week is becoming more the norm than not.  If you’re not in this growing group of virtual or tele-workers, join the club…at least for a day.
4. Schedule your next vacation – When’s your next few days off? This is always a mood lifter.  Just knowing you have a few days off coming up lifts the spirit.  Get a wall calendar if necessary and make big Xs on the days leading up to your vacation.  This activity creates the momentum to also “getter done.”
5. Join an industry organization – Connect with your people.  There is an organization for everything.  Find yours and become an active member.  You may find there are opportunities and recognition for serving on a team here and now that you might not experience yet in your current role.
6. Volunteer at a Career Center – Help someone else.  There is nothing more eye opening than to see another in need of something you already have.  Volunteering just an hour or two can inspire you to realize it’s not as bad as it seems.  You can assist in the rewriting of a resume, help pull together a job search strategy, or discover what their real passion is now that they are in transition.
7. Rewrite your resume – Get it written professionally.   Invest in yourself by having your resume professionally written.  It never ceases to amaze me how someone will buy a $400 suit, but will not invest $250 to make a great first impression with their bio or resume.  No one will see the suit if you don’t get the interview or client meeting.
8. Develop a Personal Board of Directors (PBOD) – Create your Dream Team.  This group of advocates is a priceless team pulled together for you, by you.  You’ll want to start small and add members based on relationship, rapport and responsibility.  If you don’t have a PBOD, start building one now.
9. Become a member of your alumni org – Give back.  Show your school spirit and give back to the university that paved the way for your current level of success.  Donate your time as a guest lecturer or donate financially or in-kind to an upcoming benefit.
10. Take on a new initiative, project or program – Think BIG! What if you said “Yes” to the next opportunity that came your way?  Preparation is the key, however.  If you’re ready and studies show that many leaders (especially women) wait until they are 118% ready for the next assignment, go for it.
11. Develop a debrief presentation – Share your knowledge from the last conference you attended. It’s important to show a return-on-investment by debriefing what you learned when you participated in an event.  Why not share a 15-20 minute “Key Take-aways and Action Items” presentation to deepen your learning and share golden nuggets with your team.
12. Set up a breakfast or lunch with your mentor – Gain advice from others.  My mentors have been invaluable in the development of my career.  It may be that you haven’t held a 1:1 in quite some time.  Pick up the phone, send an email invite and set an agenda.  Talk about more than just your career.  Find out what keeps your mentor up and still engaged and you may pick up a pointer or two.
13. Start a book club within your office or virtual team – Leaders are readers.  And, reading creates a great distraction from the routine workload of the day.  You will also create a community of readers who you can influence to speak the same language and adopt similar philosophies based on the book topics and choices made.
14. Do what brings you joy – Get your happy back.  This has more to do with you and less to do with your career.  Studies have shown that when you are happy, your workplace and work day are impacted as well.  Begin with you.  What brings you joy?  Discover it and then add this to your life consistently.

The bottom line:  Passion, performance and prosperity go hand in hand.  If you want to get ahead, you’ll get there faster by loving what you do.

“To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work.” ~Sister Mary Lauretta

© 2012 Patricia Perkins LLC.  WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEBSITE?  Be my guest, as long as you include this complete messaging:  Career Advancement Mentor, Pat E. Perkins, CPCC, helps motivated leaders advance smarter, progress faster and with less effort.  Obtain her FREE CD on 7 Success Strategies at www.PatEPerkins.com.

About Pat E. Perkins, CPCC

Pat E. Perkins, known as The Career Advancement Mentor because she helps motivated leaders who want to advance in their career and their life and enjoy sustainable results in the process. Pat is the creator of the ADVANCE! Coaching System™. She will help you transform the way you navigate your career so you can progress faster, smarter and with less effort.

Get Pat’s Complimentary CD plus an opportunity to connect with her privately for a FREE Get Acquainted Call about your career.  Reach her online at www.PatEPerkins.com.

To learn more and take the first step to discover how Pat’s transformational coaching programs can assist you, go here or to stay connected and receive tips and strategies on how to advance your career and life, go here.

Happy New Year!

May you enjoy a New Year filled with purpose, empowerment and prosperity.

I look forward to connecting with you in 2012.

Keep Advancing!

Pat E. Perkins, CPCC

Your Career Advancement Mentor

www.PatEPerkins.com