Who’s in Your Corner?

A recent Harvard Business Review article asked the question, “Are you sponsor-worthy?” The article shared the example of an employee who gave “110 percent” but didn’t focus her efforts on people who would invest in her. While her efforts were commended, senior leaders with power and influence were not members of her network of advocates. As a result, she found herself stuck in what she called “permanent lieutenant syndrome.” 

I see this happen often, as many of my clients fall into the trap of thinking their good work is enough.  It often takes people a while to realize that who they know is just as important as the quality of their work.  As they shy away from office politics, they overlook the fact that their relationships give them access to resources, information and influence they need to get things done.  

When was the last time you took a hard look at your own network and assessed it against the areas that drive high performance and high satisfaction? Research shows that the six key dimensions include expertise, personal support, power, purpose, development and balance?  And remember that the quality of your network matters far more than the number of people that you know. At the end of the day, a balanced, high quality network can make a huge difference in your ability to get results and advance, and increase your job satisfaction.  

If this is an area where you could use some help, check out the module in my WOW! Women on the Way to Peak Performance ProgramSM.  Entitled “Building a Network of Advocates”, the module offers tools to assess your network against critical dimensions so you understand where you have gaps and know where to focus. It also gives you specific strategies to start making changes today. You can download this module from my website and the complete program when it’s convenient for you.  

Taking time to assess who is in your corner can mean the difference between giving your all for nothing or making sure your efforts are recognized and applauded.

Give Yourself an Ear Worm!

Have you ever heard a song on the radio in the morning that stuck with you throughout the day? Some call that an ear worm - a catchy piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing1. And according to research, 98% of us experience these pesky occurrences every once in a while. But what if your ear worm worked to your advantage?   My WOW! Women on the Way to Peak PerformanceProgramSM can give you just the messages you need to take your performance and career to the next level. If you’re not ready for the full program, the Lite version includes two high impact modules – “Getting the Right Work Done” and “Building a Network of Advocates” – to help you keep some powerful tools front and center.

“Getting the Right Work Done” focuses on:

* Determining the three most critical areas where you can make the biggest business impact

* Understanding where you are getting side-tracked

* Develop strategies to ensure you are getting the right work done

Listening to this audio module periodically during the year can serve as a checkup or help you refocus on the most important areas for success.

“Building a Network of Advocates” helps you assess and strengthen your current network of colleagues and contacts, to help you get results and advance your career with advocates in your corner.

* How do your attitudes and beliefs impact your ability to network?

* Who should you leverage in your network?

* Strategies to strengthen your network in a way that works for you

* Develop action steps to leverage your contacts to achieve your goals

Designed with busy professionals in mind, you can download and listen to these two 30-minute modules from my website here at your convenience. They come with transcripts and exercises to help you get the most out of the content. Whether you need a boost in the morning to make sure you are showing up the right way, or would like to have a coach available at the press of a button when tackling a difficult challenge, these audio programs will give you a positive ear worm!

1 Wikipedia definition – ear worm

Leadership Lessons from 'Hank'

I recently had the opportunity to attend a private screening of the documentary “Hank: 5 Years from the Brink” at The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.  In the film, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson talks about the challenges and issues he dealt with during the financial crisis and government bailouts of 2008. President George W. Bush introduced the film and we had an opportunity to hear directly from Secretary Paulson about the experience and what he wanted others to learn from it. Whatever your politic views, “Hank” is a fascinating look at how we make decisions and lead during times of complexity and high stakes. Paulson faced extreme versions of the pressures we all face at times in our careers: deadlines, adversity, harsh criticism, and others questioning our judgment.

His story gives us some lessons on handling challenging times:

Get support. Paulson’s wife was a pillar of support for him. In one memorable scene of the documentary, Hank is paralyzed with fear and truly at a loss for what to do. Completely overwhelmed, he reaches out to his wife to ask her for advice.  In that moment, she says exactly the right inspirational words to propel him forward, out of a place of fear and to a place where he can identify and take that next step. We all need people in our lives who know just what to say when we’re stuck. Who provides that voice of reason, reassurance or comfort for you?

Frame your actions. With each looming crisis, Paulson’s focus on doing the right thing for the country was at the forefront of his decision making. He reinforced this in every communication to congress by framing the options in the context of what was truly at stake. How you frame something can be the difference between garnering support or falling flat.

Surround yourself with the right people. Paulson deliberately brought in others whose expertise supplemented his own skills, knowledge, and experience and engaged them in being part of the solution. He recognized his limitations and leveraged others to fill in the gaps.

Leaders who put this into practice can accomplish amazing things – sustainable high performance, effective crisis management, and unprecedented results.  Invest time to get clear about the types of skills and expertise you need to round out your team’s capabilities.

You can watch “Hank” on Netflix or iTunes, and I encourage you to check it out. The documentary sheds light both on the financial crisis and dealing with personal adversity as we face difficult chapters in our own careers.

Do you leverage the power of curiosity?

We’ve all been in situations where a manager consistently asks rhetorical questions, positioning himself as the “loudest voice in the room.” And while he may think he is sharing useful information and reinforcing his position, his team members often become uncomfortable and disengaged. However, questions can be a valuable leadership tool when they come from a place of genuine curiosity. Roger Schwarz (http://www.schwarzassociates.com/) recently commented in the Harvard Business Review (http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/07/increase-your-teams-curiosity/) that good questions “keep the discussion focused, get all the information on the table, learn why members have different views, and create solutions that take into account all team members’ perspectives.”

How often do you leverage the power of true curiosity - either as a valued team member or with your manager? Do your questions typically advance the discussion in a positive way, or do you rely on rhetorical questions that can have the opposite effect? So before you ask your next question, challenge yourself to be truly curious.

Early Morning Habits of Successful People

There is one thing that distinguishes successful people. They get a lot done. And while we all have several balls in the air, these high performers seem to have exceptionally high output. So…how do they do it?

A recent article in Inc. Magazine shared several nuggets that you may find useful. As you might expect, how you start the day can set the tone for how much you accomplish. The most successful people begin by focusing on their top priority, and science gives us more insight into what works about this practice. A well-known psychology professor from Florida State University found that willpower is like a muscle that becomes tired when overused. So, mornings offer a fresh boost to the willpower muscle, enabling successful people to focus on their most critical goals first.

Take a look at the other early morning habits that successful people exhibit, and notice which ones you currently put into practice.

• Wake up early

• Exercise or meditate in the morning

• Work on a personal passion

• Spend quality time with family

• Network with friends and advocates

• Develop plans or strategies

• Catch up on current events

• Make a list of things for which they are grateful

How do you want to set yourself up for success each morning? Do your days currently begin with a mad dash or do you show up with purpose and a specific plan in mind?  This is so critical to success that I have dedicated a module to Getting the Right Work Done in the WOW! Women on the Way to Peak Performance ProgramSM (full and Lite versions).  Listen to the quick 30-minute audio to learn how to focus on the three critical areas where you can make the biggest business impact this year, and how to manage distractions.

To accelerate your results and impact, invest your time intentionally each morning. Consider implementing one or two of these habits I’ve listed and investing in the WOW! ProgramSM audio to make sure you’re applying the right tools for a more successful you.

Dealing with Difficult People

Do you have a colleague who never fails to frustrate you? Some of my clients are struggling with this very issue, and I’ve noticed that they do something interesting. Rather than expecting the other person to behave as he always has, my client shows up with hope that today will be different and this person just won’t do the things that get under her skin. I hate to squash that kind of optimism, but in this case the evidence is overwhelming that the behavior will likely be as maddening as it has been.

However, if instead you expect the same behavior, you may be less likely to get “triggered.”  In other words, you may take her actions less personally and be more open to engaging in a different way.

To take yourself out of the predictable cycle of how your interactions unfold, try a new approach with him. Take a look at these three questions to help you do so:

• How much time or energy do you want to invest in changing things?

• What small change can you make to how you engage with him, so that you get a better outcome?

• How much dread and negative self-talk are you holding onto? What do you typically say to yourself? Remember that what you say to yourself can make the situation ten times worse.

Remember that slight tweaks can shift the dynamics, so it may not take a lot to improve the situation. It’s critical to be clear on how you want to show up, regardless of how the other person does.

So, if you’re dealing with a difficult colleague, take a few minutes this week to answer the questions above. You may realize that a small change in how you behave or what you tell yourself, can make a huge difference and take a lot of the angst out of the situation.

Show Up the Right Way When You Get Triggered

One of my executive coaching clients has the perfect storm of business and political challenges converging. Her company is going through dramatic and rapid change, resulting in rampant office politics as people feel uncertain and insecure about the future.  In tough environments like this, emotions can run high and feelings can be hard to control. We have all been there at one point or another.  The next time you find yourself in a situation that triggers you, try these strategies.   Breathe  Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Breathing is one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to help you get centered. Inhale to a count of 3, hold for 3 and then exhale for 3. This pace of even, methodical breathing can get you out of fight-or-flight mode. And you can even do this in a meeting, and no one will know.   Check in  Once you calm down, answer these questions: 

• What do you really want or need right now?” Maybe you need to feel validated, respected, or understood.

• What does the other person want or need?

• How do you want to show up in this situation? In other words, what do you want others to consistently understand when they think about your leadership? For example, it could be with professionalism, integrity, and confidence.

It can help to write your responses to these questions or talk through them with someone else, to really crystallize what’s going on.   Defer  Sometimes the emotions of a situation can prevent you from moving into problem-solving mode. If you’re having difficulty re-centering or you keep replaying the scenario in your head, one of your core values may have been threatened.  Once someone is fully triggered, it takes 20 minutes to recover.   If you find yourself in this place, the best action may be no action. Give yourself some space so you can show up in the way that you want. For women, talking to other female friends can also help because doing so releases stress-reducing hormones (according to a groundbreaking study released by UCLA in January 2014).   The next time you feel yourself getting triggered, start by simply breathing.   It’s a small shift, but one that can help manage your emotions during challenging situations.  Remember, small steps can lead to big results.

Getting to the Top

Two momentous promotions recently occurred. Janet Yellen was promoted from Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to the 15th Chairman of the Federal Reserve. And Mary Barra transitioned from Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors to Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. Both promotions are a first, and realized after the women had spent 20+ years at their respective organizations. Is there a hidden nugget for you in these two events? Clearly, both women persevered and got results. But having a strong network, in addition to demonstrating results, matters just as much. Research from Catalyst shows that having sponsors, leaders with power and influence who give visibility to your strengths and push to get you opportunities, can make a huge difference.

What are you doing to build a powerful network of advocates?  When was the last time you took a hard look at your network and how you cultivate and leverage key relationships? If this is something you struggle with, you can find easy-to-implement strategies to develop and strengthen your network in my WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance Program℠.  Given the importance of this skill set, I have dedicated a complete module to Building a Network of Advocates –  to help you get results for the business and your career (this module is also included in WOW LiteSM).

I have no doubt that Mary and Janet developed strong networks within their companies, their industries and personal lives – and it has served them well. How do you want to put this into play for yourself this year?

Focusing on the Positives

I frequently ask my coaching clients - “What worked well for you during your ‘successful’ event?” We’ll discuss the event to determine what really worked, what was done differently and how can they consistently put those actions into play the next time. It’s a simple tactic of noticing the positives to reinforce behavior. 

I employ this tool as a parent as well. Each night, as I put my son to bed, we talk about the three good things that happened that day. I cherish these conversations, and believe this time of reflection helps him build strong skills for success.  

In fact, there is scientific evidence that daily reflection on the positives is beneficial. The Harvard Business Review recently cited a University of Florida study on this topic. A team of researchers led by Joyce E. Bono found that stress levels and physical complaints declined by roughly 15% after employees spent 10 minutes writing down three things that went well each day. Clearly, reflecting on the positives has an important effect stress and health.  

Do you focus on the positives? In my book Show Up! Step Up! Step Out!, my first chapter talks about the power of simply noticing. There is value in noticing how you show up, how others show and what it all means. I encourage you take that step a little further and notice the positives in your daily activities. Take a few minutes each night to write them down and reflect on what they mean. Then make a commitment to yourself to reinforce those positives the next day. Focusing on the positives can make a difference.    

3 Leadership Principles from Dr Pepper/Snapple Group

Recently, I had the chance to hear Marty Ellen, chief financial officer of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, speak at a Network of Executive Women event. Ellen shared that he leads by three guiding principles and emphasizes these as a mentor.

Control Take charge of your own life and how you are showing up. Ellen said that when he delivers a speech, he pays attention to who is sitting in the front row — in other words, who is ready to engage and be seen instead of fading into the woodwork. The other aspect of control is asking for what you want. Don’t assume, for example, that your bosses will know you’re interested in a promotion. Ask for what you want.

Influence What truly makes you influential is the power of relationships, and what makes your relationships thrive is relating to others on a personal level, Ellen says. No matter how far you’ve risen in an organization, remember your journey. You were learning the ropes once, too. Showing humility and respect in how you treat others will increase your influence.

Judgment Ellen got his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he learned the concept of “managing your 168.” That’s the number of hours in a week. How will you invest that time based on what matters to you? How you use your 168 will vary at different times in your life, but you must always use careful judgment in how you spend those hours.

His talk gives us some valuable questions to consider: How are you taking charge of your life? How are you showing up in relationships?  Are you “managing your 168” in a way that reflects your priorities? I challenge you to identify one small step to put at least one of these principles into play this week. Remember, small steps can lead to big results.

The Gender Diversity Mindset

Every company has an embedded culture that sets the tone for acceptable behavior. Whether stated – or implied – this culture plays a critical role in either supporting or hindering efforts to advance diversity. A recent multiyear McKinsey Global Survey  investigated gender in the workplace and the ability of women to reach top management. I found the results compelling and wanted to share some key nuggets with you. Women Matter While the majority of the 230 companies surveyed had implemented at least one measure to recruit, retain, promote, and develop women, few companies have seen notable improvements as a result. The primary culprit impeding success – corporate culture. Cultural factors at work are more than twice as likely as individual factors to affect women’s confidence that they can reach top management.

What Women Want Survey results show that women’s career ambitions are just as high as their male peers, and they are ready to do what it takes to achieve their ambitions. Yet female executives are much less certain they will reach the top. Two factors seem to drive or inhibit career success: personal actions/desires/initiative, and the organizational environment in which executives work.

Moving the Needle What are the most important drivers for increasing gender diversity at the top? Survey respondents say strong CEO and top-management commitment, and a corporate culture and mind-set that supports gender-diversity objectives are required to achieve this goal. No one single tactic will deliver success. Companies need a whole ecosystem of measures – and both male and female executives to actively support the initiatives.

While you can certainly impact your company’s culture, you will see faster results by focusing on your own actions and what you can influence. In my book Show Up. Step Up. Step Out., I share a variety of practical leadership strategies that get results. Based on what’s getting in the way of your success, pick a chapter each week and focus on implementing the strategies in it. 

Working with Millennials…and Everyone Else

Millennials are all around us. These young, enthusiastic Generation-Y professionals are gaining a foothold in the workplace and the world. Born in the early 1980s, these workers have been viewed across a broad spectrum from adaptable and skilled multitaskers to lazy, entitled and unmanageable job hoppers. Media outlets touting “30 under 30” and “The Young Entrepreneurs” are feeding the stereotype. A recent study by Cornerstone OnDemand focused on three generations' views of workplace technology. The State of Workplace Productivity study shared some interesting insights…as well as misconceptions about the working preferences of younger versus older workers.

The Cornerstone study revealed that millennials prefer in-person team work and are pro-gadget, but also may be hitting their tech limit. "Gen-Y workers, whom we have largely pigeonholed as having an insatiable appetite for technology, are expressing both a desire for more human, face-to-face interaction and frustration with information and technology overload," said Jason Corsello of Cornerstone OnDemand, which released its survey in November 2013.

So how do you work with – and for – them? In my book Show Up. Step Up. Step Out., one of the chapters offer four practical strategies on creating a high performing team (among a host of other strategies to boost your effectiveness). Check it out to see if these easy-to-implement tips can help you reach your goals.

Find (and Share) Your Spark

We all know people who are truly excited about what they do. They exude energy and enthusiasm. They have a spark that may come from their work or personal lives, or both.  And it can be especially powerful when they use that spark to help others. As you go into this year, I want to encourage you to find and share your spark. My spark comes from bringing out the best in every leader I work with. One way that I use that spark to ignite change is through my work with the George W. Bush Presidential Center Women's Initiative Fellowship Program, which empowers women to catalyze change around the world.  The third year of the program kicks off on March 7, International Women’s Day.

Building on the success of the 2012 and 2013 Fellows from Egypt, this year’s group is from Tunisia. In the past two years, the Egyptian Fellows advanced their causes in big ways – starting businesses, NGO’s and nonprofits through their passion, incredible energy and spirit of collaboration. I feel so privileged to have worked with them to help them build their capabilities and confidence and forge ahead in such difficult circumstances in Egypt.

This work has also helped me notice the power of sharing your spark. As I worked with the Fellows, I saw my own spark magnify their motivation to take action and ignite sparks for others. I’m energized by the collective impact of the Program. The results are tremendous. Similarly, in my personal life, leveraging my skills and passion to advocate for positive change in the areas of income, education, and health with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been rewarding. I recently testified at a hearing held by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which among other things provided an opportunity to share data about how payday lenders with exorbitant rates keep low-income people in a cycle of poverty. It was gratifying to raise the visibility of this issue to promote the implementation of fair lending practices.

Yes, my work with the Bush Center and United Way require an investment of time in a world of competing demands, but it also energizes and engages me.

So, take 10 minutes to think about what you bring to the table and look for at least one way you can use your unique skills and passions to help others. Find that spark within yourself and start turning it into something bigger, something that perhaps lights a spark within others to take action themselves. And remember, small steps can lead to big results.

Time to Bolster Your New Year’s Resolutions

How are your New Year’s resolutions going so far? If you are starting to falter a little or just need to make sure you’ve set yourself up for success, consider these simple ideas: Make it Meaningful Identify what achieving this resolution would really mean for you. What would be happening? How would you be feeling? How would others respond? Take a few minutes to write the answers to these questions. Then read your responses. When you’re losing steam, re-read them.

Break It Down If you set a big goal for 2014 that now seems overwhelming and unrealistic, think about how you can break it down into smaller chunks. Map out interim deadlines and specific actions to make it more manageable. For example, start with the parts of the goal you want to complete in the first three months of 2014.

Add Accountability Share what achieving this goal would really mean to you and report your progress on it to someone else who will motivate you when you might otherwise give up. Your accountability buddy can help you remember what’s really at stake for you and help you refocus.

Anticipate Obstacles Inevitably, something will pop up that affects your progress on your resolution. Anticipate the potential roadblocks and plan ahead for them. Identify the support you will need when you encounter them. It can be the difference between abandoning your goal or just making a slight course correction. This is one of the most-overlooked strategies, but one of the most important.

Take a few minutes to check in on your resolutions and make any adjustments. Remember that even a big goal is achievable if you set yourself up for success.

Four Practices That Work for Me

As I coach clients, I ask them lots of questions to help them perform at their best. One question we’ve been addressing lately is “What really worked for you in 2013?” Knowing what helps you be effective and leads you to success is critical. Too many times, we go from one thing to the next without pausing to note what works for us. For that reason, I took some time to answer that question myself, and I wanted to share my answers with you.

Make passion a priority One thing that worked for me in 2013 was focusing more on what I’m most passionate about. In my case, that’s giving people access to resources and tools to help them be successful. I’ve learned to focus on what has heart and meaning for me and let that be my guide.

Outsource when you can For the things that aren’t in my areas of passion, I’ve learned to get as much help as possible from other resources. This helps me shift time and attention away from less-critical areas to my priorities.

Get the right help For key areas, it’s vital to have the right team, with the right expertise, in place. This may take some trial-and-error.

Let go I still set the bar pretty high, but I’m learning how to keep the big picture in mind. Not everything will get done perfectly or in the exact way I would have wanted. But that’s OK as long as my main priorities are handled in the way they need to be. There are things that need to be knocked out of the park and things that are just nice to have. And it’s important to know the difference.

This week, I challenge you take time to consider what worked for you in 2013. Even spending just a few minutes on this exercise can be powerful. The more you learn about what works for you, the more you can put it into play.

Set the Tone for 2014 with the Right Conversations

As last year ended, I encouraged you to reflect on what you learned in 2013 and what you want to take forward and leave behind. To support your goals and set the tone for the new year, consider three potential conversations that could move the ball in the right direction:

Your boss Kick off the year with a clear idea about what’s expected of you and your priorities for the next twelve months. To avoid misdirected time and energy, clarify and confirm with your boss what success really looks like. If your boss can’t articulate it for you, define success as you see it and ask for feedback.

Your team Make the highest and best use of your time and talent while building stronger capability within your team. Talk to individual team members about potential projects that can help them expand their skills and/or expertise. Look for opportunities within existing projects, whether that involves delegating some of your own work or redefining project roles. It may free up some of your time, and give you capacity to focus on where you can add the most value.

Your support staff Leverage your support staff to keep you focused. Have a conversation to make sure they are clear about your highest priorities (e.g., specific projects, relationships, and results) so they can help you focus and manage your time more effectively.  Enlist your staff to protect time for what matters most, including appointments with yourself to reflect and follow up, and to ensure that you are accessible.

Whether it’s these topics or others, this week I challenge you to initiate at least one conversation to lay the groundwork for a successful 2014. And remember, small steps can lead to big results.

Revisit Last Year’s Three Questions

It’s that time of year again when I ask you to answer three questions to give you insight about your leadership this year and to inform your goals for next year.

1. What did I learn about my leadership in 2013?

2. What did I learn from other leaders?

3. What do I want to take forward into 2014, or leave behind?

For me, this year tested my capacity and resilience in ways I didn’t expect. I dealt with a big personal loss with my father unexpectedly passing away. But this loss showed me the strength of my support network – how my friends and family can really step up – and my ability to forge ahead. I celebrated my company’s five-year anniversary, leading me to rebrand and rename it to better represent the solutions we bring to our clients and set the stage for the next five years. And I learned from and was inspired by each and every one of the talented leaders I work with at AT&T, PepsiCo, Sysco, TXU Energy, and Marathon Oil, among others. But most of all, I am reminded of the importance of truly being in the moment, as I play baseball with my son or listen wholeheartedly to the person sitting across from me. That is a gift that we can give every day to each and every person we interact with, and something I will definitely take forward into 2014.

Take a few minutes to capture your thoughts about the insight you gained about yourself, who inspired you, and the experiences you never want to have again. Then identify one small step you will take in 2014 to put this knowledge into play and keep it top of mind.

As you bring in the new year, don’t miss the opportunity to reflect about YOUR leadership and what YOU want to do in 2014.

How Will You Show Up with Family and Friends

Most of us regularly consider how we interact with others in a professional setting, but our personal relationships often don’t get the same level of attention. As you enter this holiday season, think about how you can help people in your personal life see more of who you really are and what you bring to the relationship. Challenge yourself to be more intentional about how you Show Up with family and friends. Even though you may be secretly planning your escape, keep a positive mindset. Ask yourself these three questions:

• How do I want others to view me?

• What matters most to me about this relationship?

• How can I convey these things through my behaviors, language, and actions?

By simply having more clarity and intention about how you want to Show Up, annoying behaviors may not trigger you as much as they typically do. That alone can be worth its weight in gold. As I always say, small steps can lead to big results. What one small step will you take to make sure you bring the best of yourself to people you care about during this holiday season?

Re-energize for the New Year

As the year winds down, are you racing to complete your “to-do” list or struggling to find the energy to get through those last few days before a well-deserved break? Maintaining your energy and understanding the activities or situations that affect it are key to your success.  First, simply notice what energizes or drains you. Are you tolerating something or someone? Are you putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? Are you getting enough rest?

Second, remember that your energy level naturally peaks and dips in 90-minute cycles, so plan to give yourself a quick boost in those intervals. The quality of the energizing activity matters more than the quantity of time you spend on it.  It could be as simple as taking a short walk outside, talking to someone you like, or listening to a good song. Whatever you decide, choose something that works for you.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of energy management – intentionally balancing draining activities with energizing ones. This approach can have a huge impact and is overlooked by most, so I created an entire module on this in my WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance ProgramSM .  Check it out if you could use some strategies to boost your energy and productivity. It may be just what you need to start 2014 with a bang.

Don’t Let Burnout Steal Your Holiday Joy

While this is a wonderful time of year, it’s also hectic. At work, you’re scrambling to wrap up projects before everyone disappears for the holidays. Meanwhile, you’re planning family get-togethers, shopping and tackling all the other tasks that go with the season. Even if you’re usually on top of things, a busy time like the holidays or a workplace change (such as a restructuring or a new boss) might leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or disengaged — all signs of burnout. Know that you’re not alone. In particular, burnout can surface as an issue for high-performing leaders, which is why I have a full module dedicated to it in my WOW! (Women On the Way to Peak Performance) ProgramSM.

The first step in bouncing back from burnout, or heading it off altogether, is self-assessment. On a scale of 1 (full fledged burnout) to 10 (ease and control), how would you rate yourself? Your answer will guide what you do next.

If you feel in control: Think about what’s helping you do that. What actions or practices are working for you right now? Take note of them, and keep doing them. By simply noticing what works, you can put it more powerfully into play.

If you feel burnout: Identify what’s causing you the most stress right now. What’s taking up most of your energy? This won’t necessarily be the most time-consuming thing on your plate, but rather the one that’s taking the most focus, attention and mental capacity. Now, think of one small step you could take to deal with this stressor – such as asking for help, saying no to something or investing your time differently. As you brainstorm, don’t forget to think about what has worked for you in the past. Look back to the last time you successfully avoided burnout despite the demands. What helped you keep a sense of control then?

This week, self-assess and identify one small step you will take to minimize or avoid burnout. And check out the WOW! Program SM to see if it might be just what you need to get started. Remember, small steps lead to big results. Take action to ensure a less stressful holiday season.