What's Ahead For You?

Last December when I began to think about 2012 I decided to go beyond the “to do” list of accomplishments. I wanted to actually have experiences that allowed me to reconnect with myself and rediscover what was truly important to me. 

To make the change I wanted I knew focus was important. There were three areas I wanted to get better at: improve my fitness level, be more connected spiritually and grow my business. I defined the specifics to accomplish each of these though knew growth and discovery was going to be about jumping in and experiencing life differently instead of just reading another good book. 

With these three goals in mind, I said yes to doing things I have never done before. Saying yes allowed me to grow, IN A BIG WAY, both personally and professionally. 

What I did and how I did it was all very unfamiliar to me.

What I did…

I led with my heart instead of my head. 

When the right opportunities were presented I said YES. The YES was immediate, though I needed to work through the conflicts between my thoughts and my feelings. My head kept saying things like: you didn’t plan for this, you already have other travel commitments, how can you take more time away from work, is this being responsible, should you be spending the money, you have to put a new roof on the house... The whole time my head was in this space my whole body was screaming, this is what you asked for! You need to do this! 

One of the things I did: While attending a weekend workshop the facilitator spoke about the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins was all about fun and play. This trip spoke to me and was an experience I didn’t want to pass up. I began rationalizing all the reasons why I shouldn’t go. Six weeks later I was on a plane going to Bimini. This was a first!

I learned by listening to my heart and quieting my mind that the right decision, allowed me to feel totally at peace with myself. There were no yucky unresolved feelings that often showed up and hung around when I made a bad, hasty decision that was not in my best interest. Have you ever done that? 

It may sound easy though learning to listen to my heart was challenging. In the past I have stopped short of what I really wanted believing it was impossible to “have it all.” This year I changed the way I thought, shattered old beliefs that weren’t even mine and went after what I wanted. It was exhilarating!

How I did it…

I connected to the meaning of the goal instead of just meeting it.

Knowing what I wanted to create for myself in 2012 was a different place to start from than just working to get things done. Knowing why it was important to be more fit, more spiritually connected and systemize my business changed my energy and mindset. Once I committed I immediately started paying attention to the invitations I was receiving from friends to attend live talks, group meditations and workshops that would surround me with like-minded people. 

In the past I may have dismissed these invitations and made excuses as to why I didn’t have time to attend. However after making the mental commitment of what I wanted to create for 2012 I was amazed how quickly opportunities were showing up for me to take action.

These initial experiences became the jumping off point of the three major trips I took this year and joining my business mastermind group; all of which tied back to my three original goals – fitness, spirituality and business. I had a focus!

It was fascinating to engage in unfamiliar activities: no planning ahead, saying yes when it was right, saying no when it wasn’t, traveling with a group, rooming with strangers and joining a business mastermind group that wasn’t local. Because I had taken the time to establish my goals AND knew what achieving them meant to me, I found every cell in my body telling me to seize the opportunities that presented despite it feeling a bit out of character. 

I traveled to places I have never been before – Peru, Bimini and Quebec City. Every trip had a physical component – walking, hiking and yoga. I attended every live event that was aligned with my goals, no excuses. 

By jumping in and doing what I haven’t done before I learned it was not about doing one thing versus the other. I learned I could have it all by having one activity compliment the other to achieve what I wanted from a fitness, spiritual and business perspective. 

What I know now…

This was a year of discovery in doing what wasn’t familiar and letting go of what no longer worked. I did achieve what I set out to do and more. It is what I now know that has been most profound…

Being spontaneous can be just as important as planning.

Exercise doesn’t have to be hard just consistent.

My spirituality is not a practice is it a way of living. 

A new acquaintance can turn out to be a key player in your life!

My mind does not know what is better for me than my heart.

Giving AND receiving are both important to master.

Asking for what you need is a sign of strength.

Having it all is possible!

The journey of self-discovery, connection and growth is continuous. 

What did you do in 2012 that you are proud of? What do you want for yourself in 2013? Why? How will you get there? Who will you surround yourself with to help you?

Start a conversation by sharing what you want and why in 2013 in the comments below. This is also a great place to get support.

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, Executive Leadership Coach, facilitator and speaker. If you are interested in learning more about managing your impression, empowering your personal brand or mastering your IT factor go to: www.authenticleadersedge.com.

Five Key Elements to Make Change Easy!

Have you ever found yourself thinking ‘I’ve been in this situation before’? Have you found yourself getting similar results despite thinking you are doing things better to create positive change?

I know it sounds crazy, but it happens! It happens with my clients AND to me!!  

You set out to create change, and you really want to achieve your goals; however you fall prey to old habits and possibly allow yourself to blame external circumstances. You make small adjustments, perform inconsistently and can’t understand why you are not reaching your goals. 

Change doesn’t just happen. Saying it doesn’t make it so. To be different you have to think and do different...consistently! This is not always easy but it is absolutely necessary. So what can you do to make change happen?

I recently went on a trip to swim with the dolphins in Bimini. For me it was about making a change to integrate more play into my life. Surrounded by the ocean, being in a different environment with like-minded people made play seem so easy. It makes sense; everyone was there for the same reason!

Similarly, when you attend a one or two day workshop to develop a new skill, it takes you out of your routine and you find yourself in an environment with a group of people who are all there to learn. When everyone is “in on it” (whether “it” is swimming with dolphins or learning something new) the change you want seems so possible.

Being surrounded by people who get it, understand what you want to accomplish and support you in your efforts is invaluable.

Though you don’t need to go to Bimini or attend a workshop every time you want to make a change. So how can the value of these experiences be brought into your everyday life? 

Here are the five elements you can extract from the above examples to make change easier day-to-day: 

1. Know what change you want. Is it to play more and have more fun? Is it to learn a new skill? Is it to incorporate more time to read or exercise? Is it a behavior you want to change? Identifying a specific change will provide you with a place to start.

2. Change up your environment. Do something different or go someplace that will inspire you. Meet up with friends at the waterfront and have a BBQ or play volleyball, just for fun! Go to a place you love, do a wine tour, attend a concert, take a different route to work, have lunch with someone new or go somewhere that you’ve heard about but have never been. Shake things up! It shifts your perspective and renews your energy.

3. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Hire a coach, a trainer, a teacher or find a mentor. An accountability partner can also help you get where you want to go. Keep company with people that support you. You don’t have to do it alone and trust me, it can be a whole lot more fun when you have company! 

4. Say YES. When an opportunity presents itself that feels right take a risk and do it. If uncertain or fear arises check in with yourself. Decide whether your uncertainty comes from not wanting to make the effort or it just not being the right thing for you. 

5. Engage in activities that support a positive mindset. Read a book that inspires you, listen to music that lifts your spirits, join a group that aligns with your way of thinking, exercise to raise your energy. Find the activities that will support you and keep you on track. On the flip side, identify any activities that are draining you and replace them with new ones that get you pumped.

Pick one of the five elements to implement now. Stretch yourself!  Commit yourself to the actions that create change. These actions will become habits.

It’s crazy to expect change to happen when everything around you stays the same. Change isn’t always easy, however it is absolutely possible. AND when it is something you want, change is also worthwhile. 

Share a method you use that supports you in making change happen in your life.  

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, trainer, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.

You Asked BUT Are You Willing To Do It?

A recent workshop participant of mine shared that he had been asking his colleagues for feedback about the image he was conveying at work. He decided he wanted to be more strategic in creating the brand impression he intended. To determine what adjustments he might need to make, the best thing for him was to ask the people who saw him daily. 

In a previous session he defined his brand model; he was clear how he wanted to be seen and what he wanted to be known for. Getting feedback was the next step to understanding what needed to be tweaked. He knew that how he was perceived impacted his success.

His team members and colleagues were generous with their feedback, although it was not all positive. At first he was grateful for their honesty but he eventually became defensive.  

He started to think, “Come on, I’m not that bad!!” He realized he was asking for feedback because it was what he thought he should do! He also realized he was becoming emotionally defensive and was resisting the change he needed to make to leave the brand impression he intended!

This was a big surprise to him. Why would he ask if he wasn’t willing or ready to change? That is key, why would you ask? Would you ask so you can make changes or so you can hear what you are doing right? The answer has a huge impact on the action you take or not.

Know Your Purpose

If you’re going to ask for feedback be clear about your purpose. You want to be sure that you understand what they are saying and that you are willing to change if necessary. Get details and ask what behaviors they see that are creating this perception. 

For example, being ‘aggressive’ is hard to change. You need details; are you interrupting? What is the tone of your message? What does your body language reveal? Do you appear tense? Without details you are left guessing what specifically is creating the negative impression. 

Ask your colleagues questions until you clearly understand what behavior might be problematic for your brand.

Getting Successful Feedback:

• Ask the people whose opinion you value.

• Make sure you are clear about what you are asking for and why. Let the other person know why you are asking and how their feedback will help you. 

• Be considerate and ask if they have a few minutes to provide you with feedback or when might be a good time to follow up with them.

• Ask questions so you are clear. Make sure you know the behaviors, not just the word, they feel is contributing to the perception. 

Getting To Change

Ask for their continued support. Let them know the best way they can provide this is to gently point out when you slip up, if you don’t recognize it on your own. Just as importantly, let them know how much you would appreciate them telling you when you are getting it right!  

Leadership takes courage. Living by the brand standards you choose takes courage. Being courageous and asking for feedback provides greater awareness. Awareness with deliberate action leads to change.

I would love for you to share your story of courage and change. When you share you pay it forward and allow others to know what is possible. Thank you!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is a Personal Brand Strategist and President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a trainer, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.

Shrinking Change

One of the toughest things you face at this time of year is staying motivated long enough to make the changes necessary in achieving new goals.

What if…you were closer to reaching those new goals than you thought?

What if….you understood you were not starting from scratch?

You know breaking down new goals into small actions steps is essential. The small action steps take you from a state of overwhelm, feeling the need to do it all at once, to providing you focus on what to do next. This becomes your plan in how to reach your new goals though it does not shrink them.

On a scale from one to ten...

Shrinking the change is realizing you are not actually starting from scratch when going after your goals. Shrinking the change comes from identifying the activities and habits that you are already doing! These activities and habits place you closer to the finish line right from the start. 

When you think about the first action step you take in going after a new goal it has you mentally starting at zero. You accomplish that new goal and arrive at ten. Here's the difference! Before you start working toward your new goal review the activities and habits you are already doing that will assist you in achieving it. This is where you discover you are not starting at zero, you find you are actually starting from 2 or 3! How cool is that? 

Here is how you get shrinkage... 

Your goal is to workout consistently five days a week. You review what you are already doing and discover that you workout consistently twice a week. Now instead of adding five workouts a week you are looking at an additional three days a week. That is shrinking what you want to change.

You have decided this is the year to eat healthier. For you this means eating three balanced meals a day and having healthy snacks. You begin by looking at what you are already doing right and realize you eat three healthy meals a day. Your reality now becomes making healthier choices regarding snacks not your whole meal plan. That is shrinking what you want to change.

You decide you want to be heard and contribute where you can add value consistently. You begin to look where you do speak up and add value in your life. You discover you do it with your husband/wife, your kids, your friends and even your peers. The reality is you don’t do it when senior people in your organization are present. Now there is only one area that you need to focus on in providing your voice instead of all areas of your life. That is shrinking what you want to change. 

This concept can be used when leading change in your organization, with your team or in regards to your personal brand. Look for what you are already doing right!

Shrinking the change gives you a mental boost in realizing your destination is closer than you think.

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!

NOTE: “Shrink the change” is a concept that came from a book I recently read, Switch by Chip and Dan Heath. It is a great read with some practical examples of different ways to look at and influence change.