August 25, 2024
Leadership Tip of the Week
Seize the Rest of the Year -
Your Blueprint to Higher Health, Wealth, Joy and Results!
Let's continue utilizing our "SOAR" framework to finish this year strong!
We have been sharing this framework through August as a helpful tool to help you crush the rest of this year.
Week 1 was the "S"= Stacking your "WHYS", when you do this exercise, you have a stronger foundation to reaching your goals, best place to start!
Week 2 was the "O" = Optimizing your habits, we shared the 5 by 50 method to increase your productivity and performance by 30%.
Next up is the "A" - let's ACTIVATE the plan.
As Brian Tracy famously said, "Spending 10-12 minutes planning your day will save you 100-120 minutes in wasted time and diffuse effort." Who doesn't appreciate a solid plan? It's essential for reaching our goals. Now, it's time for some serious prioritization to activate your plan!
For this, I highly recommend a system from Laura Mae Martin's recent book, Uptime. She shares invaluable insights on maximizing both productivity and well-being - exactly what we aim for. As Google's productivity expert, she has guided their leaders in finding more time in their busy days.
Here are four of her key steps to mapping out your plan:
- Define your top three priorities from now until the end of the year. Remember this includes your personal life; everything is interconnected, so the sooner we align the two, the better.
- Write down two or three high-impact tasks related to each priority.
- Review your calendar and circle every task that aligns with your priorities, eliminating the rest. Your calendar reflects your true priorities, and using it effectively can significantly enhance your productivity. Note: Laura advocates for zero-based calendaring, which encourages you to start fresh when mapping out your plan.
- Assign specific themes to each workday instead of constantly shifting between tasks. Often we use the puzzle method (see the last visual), fitting our work around everyone else's priorities instead of blocking time for specific tasks. For example, block time for focused time each Friday, Mondays can be for team catch-ups all morning. Do these tasks when you are at your best, afternoons are good times for networking or creativity when energy dips.
Other key tips:
- Display your top three priorities on your computer for daily visibility.
- Creating a main list as a dashboard for your priorities, which can then be broken down into weekly and daily checklists.
- Keeping a list of smaller personal tasks, like cleaning the hall closet or fixing a doorknob, so you can easily tackle these quick wins when you have a pocket of time without much mental effort.
- Learning to say NO! One of my clients expressed a desire to do this more often, and it's freeing up so much of her time for what is most important.
- Experimenting with the launch and iterate model to see what scheduling strategies work best for you.
- You can find these resources and templates on her web-site at https://lauramaemartin.com/resources (and much better visuals but we wanted to give you an idea)
By gaining clarity on your priorities, identifying high-value tasks, and managing your calendar effectively, you'll make significant progress towards your goals. You know what you want, so channel that energy and go crush it! We will see you next week for the "R" of our framework, just in time to head into September. If you need support with any of this, feel free to reach out - I'm here to help you shorten the path to achieving your goals!
Click below to schedule a chat!
Team trainings and group coaching for modern leaders now available as well! Today's challenges require a shift in approach to retain and foster collaborative high performing teams. Feel free to reach out for more details.
 |
Wellness Tip of the Week
The Benefits of Walking
We've covered how vital it is that we set ourselves up for success each day. This means mapping out our day, holding ourselves accountable, and most importantly, not biting off more than we can chew. If we aim to accomplish something and our day gets off track, we can feel defeated and as if we are failing in one area. Often, exercise is a key area that can be neglected, and one that is so important to our overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Sure, the idea of an elaborate workout may seem enticing, but balance is everything. It is vital that we don't overlook the power of walking! Sure, your body may not feel as accomplished as if you were to do a one hour training session, but your overall health and mind will thank you for it, here's why:
Walking is Incredible for our Overall Physical Health:
- Cardiovascular Health: Regular walking strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Weight Management: It burns calories, which can help with weight management or loss when combined with a balanced diet.
- Muscle and Bone Health: Walking tones muscles, strengthens bones, and improves joint flexibility, which can help prevent osteoporosis.
- Improved Immune Function: Regular physical activity, like walking, can boost your immune system.
Walking Helps us to Take a Break from the Day and Clear Our Mind:
- Stress Reduction: Walking can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
- Enhanced Mood: It can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, leading to better overall mental health.
- Cognitive Function: Walking has been linked to improved cognitive function and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline with age.
Walking Can be done with People of All Ages:
- Social Interaction: Walking with friends or family can strengthen social bonds and provide a sense of community.
- Community Engagement: It can encourage exploration of your local area and increase your connection to your community.
Walking Enables a Positive Lifestyle and Practical Benefits:
- Accessibility: Walking requires no special equipment and can be done almost anywhere, making it an accessible form of exercise for most people.
- Simplicity: It’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine, whether it’s a brisk walk during lunch or a leisurely stroll in the evening.
- Sustainability: Walking is environmentally friendly and can reduce your carbon footprint compared to driving short distances.
So, the next time you're feeling as if you're stretched a little thin, consider getting outside and walking a few laps! Not only will you be getting that workout in, your mind will be reset to take on the rest of your day.
What's New @ Modwellship
Labor Day is around the corner and that means another end of summer celebration! Nothing screams summer like a classic succotash. It's versatility allows it to pair as a side dish, or you can even add a grilled protein and arugula to serve as a main! The bright and fresh summer flavors can easily be combined ahead of time, so don't be afraid to make this dish ahead of your event and let it marinate in the fridge!
Summer Succotash
Yield 4 servings
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp EVOO
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, cored/seed, and finely diced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ears corn, husked and kernels cut off cob
- 1 lb lima beans (you may also substitute lima beans for any other bean)
- 1 pt cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Method
-
Heat the butter with the oil in a large skillet over medium-heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, paprika and minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
-
Stir in the corn and lima beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Responses