Using September to Refresh your Goals

As I sit here staring at the calendar, I am surprised, although I shouldn’t be, when I turn the page and see “September” across the top of it. Really? Did I just say September? Before you know it, we will be drinking pumpkin spice lattes (don’t hate, they are my favorite) and putting up holiday decorations. Holy Buckets, Batman – where has 2024 gone?

So, let’s talk about September. It isn’t just about being beyond fed up with the Arizona heat. It is an opportunity to reassess, refocus, and re-strategize for the rest of your year. Fourth Quarter is right around the corner so let’s take a moment to think about goals.

Implementing business goals effectively is crucial for any organization aiming to achieve success and to drive growth. Goals without action are just pretty – they aren’t functional. It is time to take stock of the goals you set in January and redefine them, if necessary, for the remainder of the year.

Here are some quick-hit ways to make your goals feel more like strategic planning.

Understanding Strategy Implementation

What did I just say? Strategy implementation is the process of turning your goals into actionable items. And then by doing those actions, it helps you to reach business objectives.

Simply put – it is taking your dreams, goals, and to-dos and translating them into daily activities that align with the business goals. It means executing daily actions or activities that help you reach your end game. Deciding what you need to do, and when you need to do it is strategy implementation.

 And you, and your business, need it. You need to take the time to think and plan. Geeks like me LOVE planning time. And geeks like me don’t take nearly as much time as we should to do that planning.  And the follow up to that is to make your strategy something you will do. Taking the time to plan and strategize is essential for business growth. Schedule it, put your headphones in, and get to work. This time needs to be real, honest, and doable. Creating a strategy isn’t the place to add fantasy or what if’s. It’s the time to be realistic and optimistic and allow for the unexpected.

Setting Clear Goals         

The first step in putting your goals into action is to define them clearly. Write down your main goal and break it down into smaller, manageable subgoals. This can help you clarify your objectives and makes them feel more attainable. This year I kept my goals a bit more “open” than I usually do. Apparently, I was shy and skeptical in January. As I review them for the remainder of the year, I realized I needed to tighten up my goals and be more specific not only in my actual goals, but in my actionable steps.

If in doubt on how to make clear goals, you can go back to the SMART goal process. This framework helps in articulating your goals clearly and ensures that they are realistic and aligned with your company’s overall objectives. For a reminder a SMART goal is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Identify Potential Obstacles

As you work towards your goals, be prepared to face obstacles. These obstacles can be psychological barriers (I admit, my biggest obstacle is my own brain), or practical issues (like time constraints). Identifying these challenges in advance allows you to create strategies to overcome them. To be effective in the implementation of your goals you need to identify the obstacles and plan accordingly. Do you have the resources, software, staff, or financial resources needed to accomplish your goal? If you do not, that can be a step in achieving your goal or objective. Step one for example may be buying the software. No excuses, as my Grandmother used to say, where there is a will there is a way.

Monitor and Adjust

Once your implementation begins, continuous monitoring is essential. I have my goals written down in a book and I check it daily. I use that list to create a to-do list for the next day. Constant movement keeps me motivated. Be prepared to adjust as needed. When you identify a potential risk, or experience a new challenge, don’t allow that to impede your progress (no matter how tempting it is to use that obstacle as an excuse to stop). Time to go back to your initial strategy and tweak it to meet the new circumstances.

Putting your business goals into action requires a strategic approach that encompasses clear goal setting, comprehensive planning, identifying your roadblocks, and continuous monitoring. By following these steps and remaining adaptable, you can transform your dreams and goals into reality.

I was reminded the other day that the journey to achievement is as important as the destination. So, with that in mind, I plan to embrace the process and the planning and then enjoy the growth that comes with it. Come join me on this journey!

I “grew up” in corporate. I started there early and was molded by the professionals around me. They helped me polish my behavior, my language, and even my appearance. Looking back, I can’t say I agree with everything I was told to change. I can say that I appreciate the mentorship I received from some amazing women over the years. I agree with one in particular who said over and over again that professionalism is a cornerstone of success in any workplace.

When I teach leadership classes I ask my classes to describe professionalism to me. I have discovered that professionalism can mean many different things and is dependent on industry and company cultures.

For me, professionalism always includes, regardless of industry, how you as a person carry yourself, your attitude, and the way you communicate with others. By embodying professionalism, you can create a positive impression, build strong relationships, and establish a lasting reputation within your organization and industry.

Want to know where to start? Let’s dig a bit deeper into the concept of Professionalism.

What is Workplace Professionalism?

It’s important to note that professionalism isn’t just about appearance. That’s what we always go to first, right? While a neat and appropriate dress code is a piece of workplace professionalism, true professionalism runs much deeper.

At its core, professionalism in the workplace means:

– Competence: You know your stuff, you excel in the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required by your role. And you deliver the results.

– Accountability: You do what you say you are going to do, no matter what. You own up to mistakes. You consistently deliver high-quality work, even on those “holy-buckets Batman” challenging days.

– Respect:  You respect your job, your coworkers, and you go above and beyond your job description.

– Growth Mindset: You seek out learning opportunities and you continuously look for opportunities to grow and improve yourself.

Not sure where to begin when looking to up your professional game? Here are some ways you can foster professionalism in your workplace.

5 Ways to Foster Professionalism

1. Consistently Exceeding Expectations: Professionals go above and beyond, whether it’s helping a colleague in need or ensuring projects are completed to the highest standard. I am not saying to ignore your boundaries, I am saying do an outstanding job with whatever you set out to do.

2. Excellent Communication: This isn’t always easy. Lately I catch myself rambling as I try to reach my point. But aim to articulate ideas clearly and concisely. Keeping everyone informed is crucial. People don’t know what you want them to do unless you tell them. As much as we want to, we can’t read minds. And remember, communication includes both verbal and written communication. Emails and texts matter.

3. Reliability and Accountability: Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you will. Honoring commitments, meeting deadlines, and taking responsibility for your actions are hallmarks of a true professional.

4. Positive Attitude: Can we all be Miss Merry Sunshine 100% of the time, no of course not. I have been subject to a negative rant like everyone else has. Strive to maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations. Especially in challenging situations. It doesn’t matter who is to blame, how are you going to fix it? When you strive for positivity, that behavior contributes significantly to a professional work environment.

5. Continuous Learning: Professionals are always looking to improve their skills and knowledge, staying up to date with industry trends and best practices. Those LinkedIn webinars, those networking meetings, those podcasts, and those books (or at least the book summaries) are all ways you can continue to learn and expand your skills.

How to Enhance Your Professionalism

Want to improve your professionalism and your business image? Here are ways to up your professionalism. Not every option below is for everyone. Choose a couple and practice them.

1. Punctuality: Being on time for work, meetings, and deadlines shows respect for others (and their time) and demonstrates reliability.

2. Dress Appropriately: Adhere to your workplace dress code and ensure your appearance is neat and clean. The little stuff does matter. Is your T-shirt wrinkly (because it was in the bottom of your drawer)? Skip that shirt and pick a different one.

3. Practice Integrity: Be honest, accountable, and ethical in all your workplace interactions. Inside your organization and with your vendors, colleagues, and peers.

4. Improve Communication Skills: Invest in developing your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. We all make mistakes, we all have typos, and there is a way to professionally communicate. Google it, bet you find a few suggestions.

5. Emotional Regulation: Learn to manage your emotions professionally, especially in stressful situations. Flying off the handle or dropping 14 F bombs isn’t going to help your professional image.

6. Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of others’ time and space and maintain appropriate professional relationships. Just because we are all glued to our phone screens does NOT mean it is ok to text someone at 10pm and expect an immediate answer.

7. Stay Positive: Maintain a constructive attitude, even when facing challenges. Leave your personal issues at the door. We all have them, and some are more distracting than others. If you are faced with a large personal issue, take the time to deal with it (and not while at the office).

8. Continuous Learning: Take advantage of opportunities for professional development and stay current in your field. Talk to your employer, do your research, ask your mentor. There are resources out there.

The Impact of Professionalism

Regardless of your “business culture”, being, acting and behaving professionally has far-reaching effects in the workplace. Being professional fosters a positive work environment, builds trust among colleagues, and enhances overall productivity. Professionals are often perceived as more credible and reliable, which can lead to increased opportunities for career advancement.

In today’s diverse workforce, professionalism transcends age and experience levels. It’s a quality that both new graduates and seasoned workers can cultivate to stand out in their careers.

Professionalism is not just about following a set of rules; it’s about adopting a mindset of excellence, respect, and continuous improvement. By embodying these principles, you can significantly enhance your value in the workplace and pave the way for long-term career success.

Here we are in May – the time for graduations, weddings, sports tournaments, and Memorial Day. The time when my schedule can seem overwhelming and non-stop. Mostly because the personal invades my professional time. Why when they overlap does my stress level spike?

A recent survey I read said nearly ¾ of leaders are already stressed out. And this same survey mentioned that 70% of senior leaders admit that burnout and stress affect their ability to make decisions. Yikes, not good!

Being stressed out not only affects your ability to make strong business decisions but it affects your health, it affects your attitude, and it affects your productivity.

Back in January I was working on my 2024 goals. I realized that I needed to be gentle to myself. Even when I think I should be pushing, hustling, or striving – how can I be gentle with myself and let go of the guilt? That negative Nelly in my head needed to take the year off. As a business owner not only do we have that annoying Nelly ragging on us, but we have employee requirements, client needs, and piles of work that needs to get done to keep our bank accounts at a healthy level. Here are some tips and tricks I personally use to stay above the stress and chaos and to balance the professional with the personal commitments.

• Know your body’s stress signals – Paying attention to your body is the first step in reducing stress. Does your heart race? Do you get antsy or fidget a lot when stressed? Do you get irritable? For me either my foot starts moving a mile a minute or I get blotchy. I know if I am feeling stressed and upset, I can feel my core heat up and the rash and blotches run up my neck. It is sooooo attractive, but when it happens, I know I need to take a few minutes, remove myself from the situation, and breathe. My body tells me even when my head tries to ignore it.
• Get enough sleep – sounds easy right? Nope, I can tell you from experience it isn’t always simple. First you have to discover how much sleep your body needs and then honor that amount. Arguing with your body isn’t going to change the fact that you need at least 7 hours of sleep. And I don’t know about you, but I can’t pull off less than 7 hours of sleep anymore. I have NO idea how I functioned for years on 4 hours a night. Because I get up at O’Dark-Thirty my bedtime is earlier than anyone else in my household. It meant a few weeks of experimenting with schedules, buying an eye mask (so the light doesn’t bother me as he sits there and reads) and sometimes ear plugs when the football game is still on. In order to be your highest, most productive self, you need to take care of YOU first. Start with sleep.
• Move your body – we all know exercise is good for us, but moving your body can reduce your stress levels and help you breathe. Remember that cold snap we had back in January?! (Brrr!) It was so dang cold I didn’t do my long walk every morning. So instead of feeling guilty about that, I walked around the building at work whenever I had 10 minutes to spare. Try not to make exercise an all or nothing thing. I struggle with that constantly, but I do know that any movement is better than none. Do things that you enjoy. Exercise should be fun, not a chore. Loved roller skating as a kid? Try it again. Ride your bike with abandon, not determination. Skip, jump rope, and try that yoga studio up the street. Find something that makes you forget you are doing something healthy for yourself.
• Create boundaries not barriers – Where to begin? Go through your page long to-do list and create priorities. Be truthful about what you must get done vs. what you would like to get completed. Decide what is non-negotiable and start there. I also schedule time for personal “odds and ends.” Having time on my calendar to pay the bills, or to run an errand, or whatever small personal task is requiring my personal attention resolves the guilt I once had about using “work” time to do personal items. Remember you don’t want barriers as it cuts off communication. You want boundaries which will help you structure your time.
• Use Productivity Tools – The biggest change in 2024 is I now schedule time to think, brainstorm, and plan. What is the productivity tool I am referring to? Your calendar. Use it and then stick to your “appointment.” I wouldn’t cancel on a client so why do I cancel on myself or my own business development. Having time allotted to my own business helps me stay focused on its development. Another productivity method is to “eat the frog.” Basically, that means to pick the task that is the hardest or biggest, or the one you just really DON’T want to do and do it first thing in the morning. Once you get that accomplished the sky is the limit for the rest of the day – AND no matter what else happens you are productive because you got that “frog” crossed off your list.

If you Google “Self-Care for Busy Entrepreneurs” you will find a ton of other resources. During this season of busyness, I encourage you to find something that helps you reduce your stress, be your best self, and be at your most productive. And don’t forget to breathe!

One of the most overused and underexplained leadership concepts is that of “Lead by Example.” It should be self-explanatory yet in every one of my leadership workshops I have new leaders who are brave enough to ask questions on this concept.

“Does this mean I have to do the same work they are doing?”

“Does this mean I can never, ever, make a mistake?”

“Does this mean I can’t laugh and have fun?”

The way I explain the concept of leading by example is simple. Leading by example is demonstrating the behavior you want to see in others. You don’t push your team into the excellence you expect from them, you show them how it is done.

Leading by example isn’t grand gestures. In my opinion the small things you do as a leader have more power and go a long way to improving your team. For example, if you want everyone to be on time for a meeting, you had better be on time for that meeting.

A leader who practices leading by example not only earns the respect from their team but earns respect from their bosses as well. Demonstrating the behavior you want to see inspires confidence and fosters a collaborative team.

Not sure where to begin? Here are 5 positive ways to lead by example in the workplace.

1. If you say you are going to do something, make sure it gets done! This is one of the most efficient, and fastest, ways to build trust with your employees. It demonstrates to the team your own level of commitment. By following through with your promises, they will respect you and have confidence in you as a leader.
2. Follow the rules. If you want others to follow the policies and procedures of the company, you had better follow them as well. With rank does NOT come privilege (nor the right to disregard the rules). Instead rank requires responsibility. And remember, rules don’t have to be negative and can instead clarify expectations and responsibilities.
3. Listen. Listen to your employees, your fellow managers, and the leaders you report to. Listen to consultants, mentors, and teachers. Everyone has something of value to add to a conversation. Interacting with your team, by listening to them, helps them feel comfortable coming to you about any issues. Besides, the more you truly listen, the more you learn.
4. Keep growing and learning. Every leader understands they need to learn and grow to continually improve their leadership skills. Attend workshops, training opportunities, read business book summaries or an article instead of mindless scrolling. And don’t bad mouth or put down those workshops. That sets an example too. Instead, let your team see you stretching your mind and continually improving your skills. Encourage them to learn and stretch themselves as well.
5. Watch what you say and do. Welcome to leadership. You are now a celebrity. Your staff is your paparazzi. They are watching, and learning from you, how to behave. Be aware of how your team could interpret what you say, or how you act in any given situation. Yes, work (and life) can be stressful. But flying off the handle and dropping 15 F-bombs may make you feel better but what message does it send to your paparazzi; I mean your team? How are you going to react if someone on your team behaves that way (and worse in front of YOUR boss?).

Everyone has their own unique qualities that make them a good leader. There is no one way to be an exceptional leader. Good leadership is about motivating and inspiring your team as well as meeting your production requirements. When you emulate the behavior you want to see in your team members, you encourage your team to practice effective communication, incorporate collaborative team practices, and you show them that they matter.

Want to talk about ways to put your team first, but maintain your own sanity? Give me a call and let’s discuss how to implement the lead by example concept without losing your authentic self.

Whenever I teach a workshop on communication I start with the concept of trust. Why do I begin with the concept of trust? Because without trust, communication is superficial. Think about it –if your communication, as a leader, is shallow or non-existent, your employees, your teams, and your colleagues will essentially ignore what you are trying to say. Have you ever been in an organization or on a team where there were trust issues? Where you couldn’t believe anything your leader told you or you didn’t trust your colleagues? That is exhausting and I admit, even though I tried to tough it out, I ended up leaving. You don’t want your employees to feel that way, so let’s explore trust in the workplace.

Trust in the workplace is a fundamental building block and can be established, enhanced, and accelerated through effective communication. Trust can take a long time and a lot of effort to develop, but it takes only one event to weaken or eliminate it.  If you believe there are trust issues in your company or your team here are some things to consider.

First, know why Trust is an important factor in communicating.

• Trust provides positive morale and team motivation.
• Trust allows for team collaboration.
• Trust improves efficiency.
• Trust empowers decision making.
• Trust decreases stress levels.
• Trust improves an employee’s performance.

Second, know how you as a leader can build trust.

• Do what you say you are going to do – be reliable!
• Be transparent and honest.
• Take ownership of your mistakes, issues, and your milestones / celebrations.
• Be proactive in understanding and talking about issues.
• Exhibit empathy with a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others.
• Maintain accountability by setting clear priorities.

Everyone in leadership has heard the advice to lead by example. When building trust, or rebuilding trust, it begins with you – the Leader. This concept is essential and non-negotiable as far as I am concerned. You must listen to your team / employees, deliver on what you promise, value the people around you, and resolve conflicts quickly and professionally. If you want your team to behave in a certain way, and most importantly trust you – you have to be trustworthy yourself.

Remember, actions speak louder than words so put your money where your mouth is and let’s get to work!