The Downside of Everything

Time to read: short and sweet 38 seconds

Bookkeeping time!

Tomorrow is tax day. For those of you who work for organizations, we entrepreneurs have get to pay "quarterly estimated taxes" 4 times a year since our earnings are variable.

I'm tired. I coached all day. I parented all day. I walked dogs and did laundry. I still have to get dinner on the table. And….bookkeeping and taxes are part of being a legitimate business so despite how I feel, I'll sit down now and get 'er done. I can imagine a thousand more fun things to do.

Can you relate?

This is the sh%$ sandwich that comes with owning my own business. It's easy to fantasize about how great "that job" will be; or how much better your life would be if you had a different career (I hear things like "a non profit would be more meaningful…." and "if only I had the benefits in a big company…."); or how much freedom you'd have if you went out on your own.

It's all about choices. I have freedom. I love what I do. The impact of coaching is meaningful to me. Being my own accounting and IT departments aren't my favorite.

When you look around your world, have you made choices that align with what you want? Are you getting results that align with your sense of purpose and meaning?

In the words of a graduate:

"When I came to Clarity U, I was depleted. If you are not getting what you want, I highly recommend Clarity U. I am now moving forward with renewed confidence and a zest for life." - HR Director and Bicycle Enthusiast

Intrigued? Let's talk. We start in early October so the opportunity is ticking. Grab your spot here.

Can't wait to connect!

Take Action!

Time to read: Action! Action! Action! 46.5 seconds

Today a client (let's call her Jane) told me she was waffling about sending a text to a neighbor to hang out after a frustrating day at work. She wanted the company and feared she was bothering her neighbor or asking for too much. She swallowed the second guessing, sent the text, got an instant "yes!" and enjoyed a glass of wine and her neighbor's companionship. She felt better after a hard day.

What I love about this story is the action orientation. Jane didn't analyze why she was afraid to send the text. She didn't succumb to not sending the text. She simply sent the text and got a result.

Action produces results. Guaranteed.

• You can plan to share a new idea with your boss. Sharing the idea will generate feedback, additional ideas, and energy. Even hearing "no" will generate energy.
• Joining a new club will instantly lead to new relationships and experiences.
• Applying for a job will create an updated resume, interview planning, and momentum even if you don't get the job.

Action leads to more action. On and on it goes.

So, make the call, book the trip, send the email, sign up for the class, say the thing. You'll be glad you did.

If you are one of the many people who forward these emails to your friends and colleagues, please make sure they know they can sign up for this newsletter here

Have a great weekend!

Two Simple Words That Guarantee Results

Many people believe that a crappy workplace will become better with some huge change that happens out there (with “out there” looking an awful lot like the CEO’s office). It’s important for you to know what actually makes your workplace the kind of place you want to be every day.

Story time!

One of my clients (let's call her, Susan) finally got the once-in-a-lifetime leadership job she had worked toward for years. Aaaand, the promotion came with a team of unpleasant (and to use her words) "back-stabbing" colleagues as a result of an acquisition. To say the situation has been draining would be an understatement.

At first, our conversations revolved around "those people" and the things they did or the ways they sucked and how the combination of two conflicting departments was to blame. Over time, Susan's focus has shifted to her responsibility for the dynamic and to claiming her own self care and boundaries.

She has applied herself diligently to addressing her relationships with these colleagues and to making her workplace the happier and more supportive environment she wants. It's been a journey of baby steps, and things are starting to change.

Which brings me to the wisdom for you.

The path to change is always a journey of baby steps. If you think the road to change in your workplace is going to come from a new CEO or a culture initiative from the HR Department or as some big lightning strike, shazaam!, flash moment, your hair will be turning grey as you wait. 

The road to change is more subtle and smaller than you might think. Your progress will be one foot in front of the other, the result of your commitment and consistent action.

Susan reminds me daily of her favorite words from our coaching (these are the two powerful words I promised you):

Keep going!

When you are trying on new behaviors or making a change, your main job is to keep going. Keep trying the new thing. Keep showing up. Keeping experimenting and watching your impact. Don't allow setbacks or fears to derail you. Just keep going.

The Everyday Rebel Challenge is one way to keep going with small, actionable steps you can take every day for 21 days to bring you more joy and more calm at work. An amazing community is gathering for the challenge who are so done with stress and conformity and so ready to be more fully themselves at the office and claim time for the things they love. We start on March 27 and would love to have you join us.Grab your spot here.

Here's to baby steps!

Christina

P.S. Sign up for the Everyday Rebel Challenge for free here. Share it with your friends and colleagues. You might even form a little Everyday Rebel Challenge team for added fun!