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Archive for Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching

full coffee cup, note book with goals 2025 written and 1, 2, 3 plus white pen on green background

Planning for Success and the Dichotomy of Control

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 7, 2025
  ·  No Comments

full coffee cup, note book with goals 2025 written and 1, 2, 3 plus white pen on green background showing planningIs there any point in planning for success or for the year ahead?

For those of us in the productivity and organizing field the answer is very simple.

Yes. If you plan your work, activities, schedule, career, day or anything for that matter, you are far more likely to be available when opportunity appears.  I’ve blogged before about the planning and luck relationship. However, you are also more likely to be equipped to respond to adversity when it show up.

But sometime external circumstances can make planning feel futile. What about the uncertainty of the world we live in today as 2025  greets us? What about the political turmoil around the world we read about every day? Add to that the economic uncertainty that both those situations create and planning feels like a lost cause.

The Dichotomy of Control

It is true that most of us don’t have any control over what is happening politically on the other side of the world. While we may have reason to worry and be concerned about it, we don’t have any control over it.

However, the dichotomy of control reminds us that there are many things over which we DO have control. The concept is a very old one dating from the Roman Stoic Epictetus. According to the Stoics, there were really only two things we had direct control over. They are our actions and what or how we think about things. The past, what other people think or do, and even our bodily sensations (versus voluntary actions) are in fact outside our control.

grey desk chair in from to small white desk with the title "Preparation & Success" and Confucius quote "success depends upon previous preparation and without such preparation there is sure to be failure"Planning and Control

It is the things within our control that we can use to plan for success. There are four steps needed to create a plan for the year and they all include elements within our control.

Step 1

Step OUTSIDE of our comfort zone. This is where learning and expansion occurs. This is where were take a risk to create a new lead magnet, try a new exercise routine or commit to an accountability partner. Actions here include creation of a vision and overall goals for the year.

Step 2

Step UP to figure out the real work. What actually needs to be done to accomplish your goal? Who would you need to become to make it a reality?  Actions here might include figuring out how many days a week you can work or work out. Do you have the time to train for a marathon and support for the rest of your life while you are training?

Step 3

Step IN to create a map or menu of actions to turn your vision into a reality. What are the outcome goals for each quarter, month and week that you would have to attain? Outcome goals are the markers along our path that tell us whether or not we are heading in the direction of our larger vision. What are the process goals – the specific actions you would take – to accomplish those outcome goals? If you are looking for 1000 followers on YouTube for your business, how often do you need to post to get that result? How big a calorie deficit do you need, and how will you ensure that happens, to lose that 10 lbs?

Step 4

Step THROUGH the fog that gremlins of self doubt, fear, procrastination create when they show up. What tools that you can access easily, consistently and quickly when you are discouraged frustrated or putting off trying to post that lead magnet?

woman raising arms in success at tope of hill. both the journey and destination are important.Planning for Success

The Stoics believe “We need to focus on “controlling the controllables” and cultivate an attitude of detachment from everything else”. When we focus on what we can control, which includes all four steps of the planning process, we set ourselves up for success. This focus together with equipping ourselves with strategies and tactics to manage our response to those things outside of our control, is planning for success.

Mentored for Momentum Coaching Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Planning
Tags : Planning
woman sitting in field looking upward as if thoughtful.

Learning Through Awareness: Does it Work?

Posted by Carolyn on
 November 1, 2024
  ·  No Comments

woman sitting on heels on a dock beside a quiet body of water with eyes closed - as if meditatingIs self-awareness a useful teaching tool? By being more mindful can were learn new skills or habits through awareness?

It may sound simple but I say we can. In fact, I believe that learning through awareness is one of the most powerful tools we can use to change behaviour and  develop new habits.

The Issue: A Lack of Awareness

Virtual organizing has underlined for the organizing industry the importance of recognizing unconscious behaviour in our clients. We all develop habits – subconscious behaviours that we regularly repeat based on the same stimuli. Often, we don’t even realize we do them. Drivers sometimes report driving home and not even remembering the drive because they were preoccupied other thoughts. Meanwhile, their subconscious brain made all the decisions necessary to drive to home while their conscious thoughts were preoccupied.

When the subconscious brain is engaged, we often aren’t even noticing what we are doing. When was the last time you thought about tying a shoe lace, taking a shower or brushing. your teeth. Our dentists might like us all to be more aware during that latter exercise to be more thorough. Many people say they do their best thinking in the shower. Why not? For most adults the shower process is habitual, something the subconscious mind takes care of. That leaves the conscious mind to tackle the next scheduling or budgeting challenge in your day.

But what about when those habits are not helpful and we don’t realize the habit exists or the impact of our behaviour. This is where a professional organizer and productivity coach, becomes the detective. I pull out my figurative magnifying glass and look for subconscious behaviour that undermines goal completion, leaves clutter on horizontal surfaces and results in procrastination.

The Challenge: It’s Subconsciouswoman with back to camera sitting on yoga mat beside a body of water on a beach.

TT, a client who recently engaged my assistance for a move, previously lived in a very small, junior 1 bedroom apartment. I helped her move to a more spacious unit where she could set up her small business office in a corner of the living room. In the previous unit, TT would have to stand up with her laptop, cross the room, balance the computer on a bookshelf, connect the cable to the printer and hit the return key to print an item. The unit was just too small to have the printer closer to the computer. In the new unit the printer cable and printer were right beside TT’s right arm. What happened the first time TT went to print an item? She found herself picking up the computer and walking to the other side of the room. Her subconscious brain still working on the assumption the printer was across the room.

When I pointed out to TT what she had done, we both had a good chuckle and then got to work using the principles of neuroplasticity to lay down a new neuropathway. The new pathway was that TT would turn to the right, pick up the printer cable, plug it into her laptop and print whatever was required.

The Solution: Develop Awarenesswoman sitting in field looking upward as if thoughtful.

TT’s awareness of her habit allowed her to develop a new habit.

When one becomes aware, they can change their behaviour. This is where the learning through awareness comes in. With a conscious effort to be more mindful, one can become aware of any habit that is undermining goal achievement. I call these tripping habits. We can learn to change those tripping habits when we are aware that  we are doing them.

The How: Become Mindful

How can you learn to change your tripping habits through awareness? By becoming more mindful. Do some research on your own behaviour simply by consciously noticing what you are doing.

For example, if you are constantly loosing your car keys and delayed each morning trying to find them, become mindful, and more aware, of what you do with your keys when you walk in the door each day. Do you drop them in a coat? In a purse? On a horizontal surface? Maybe your hands are often full so you subconsciously drop them anywhere to free up your hands. Once you know what you are doing, you can retrain your brain to subconsciously do something else with the keys (like drop them in a bowl or on a hook) so that they are always present.

Use an experimental approach; don’t be too attached to the outcome simply notice what you are doing. Once you know what the unconscious behaviour is, you have the power to change it for one that gives you behaviour you do want.

Awareness is a simple, inexpensive tool that we all possess that can help us learn. It can show us why we are chronically late, always early or habitually loosing our keys. And because it shows us our own behaviour, which we have the power to change, it can be a powerful learning tool.

Habits Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Mindfulness Organizing Strategies
Tags : awareness, habits, mindfulness, productivity
orange/red full moon over leaves of forest or garden

Summer Solstice and Full Moon

Posted by Carolyn on
 July 8, 2024
  ·  No Comments

orange/red full moon over leaves of forest or gardenWith both the Summer Solstice and a Full Moon, the last weeks of spring promise renewal. The beginning of summer is a time for Mother Nature to bring rebirth to her garden.Try these three easy tips to help you take advantage of that renewal energy.

Evaluating Before Summer

Tip 1

For some people, the Summer Solstice marks the midpoint of the calendar year. This is an excellent time to reflect on what’s working, what’s not and how far have you come to the goals to which you strive for the year.

For others, the end of June marks the close of a fiscal year end. Evaluating what has worked and what has not for your business will help set you up for success during the next fiscal year.

hands cupped as in a bowl, holding ripe, red strawberries

Setting Intentions

Tip 2

This is a great time to set an intention for your own renewal. What do you bring to this auspicious time of year – the transition from spring into summer? What would you like to accomplish while the weather is warm, the days are long and the garden is plentiful?  For the jam makers and berry lovers, in the northern hemisphere Summer Solstice and the Strawberry Full Moon heralds the ripening of strawberries. For many this reminds them that eating fresh from the garden is often still available via farmers markets and self pick market gardens.

Tracking Intentions

Tip 3

two hands, right hand writing in goal tracking journalTracking your progress on intentions is equally important to setting them. We are often so grateful for a relaxed summer atmosphere that we forget we had intentions for healthier eating, more exercise, increased sales calls – or whatever your mid calendar goals might be. Setting up a weekly tracking system will help you stay on track. Is weekly too often? No. Tracking in small increments makes it easier to keep track and stay on track. It helps to keep your goals top of mind from week to week so that success is more likely. And if things are working to head you in the direction of your goals, it is easier to make a shift, tweak or full pivot to the right direction.

Summer Solstice and the Strawberry full moon provide an excellent opportunity for a check-in, have way through the year. Use these three tips of reflection, setting intentions and tracking progress to get and keep you on track. Make this year your best ever.

Gratitude Habits Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Strategies Planning Productivity
Carolyn Caldwell helming a sailboat to show online courses can get you moving in the right direction.

Who is Carolyn Caldwell?

Posted by Carolyn on
 February 29, 2024
  ·  No Comments

Carolyn Caldwell at the helm of a sailboatWho is Carolyn Caldwell? It seemed like a simple enough request. In a recent content coaching session. Leigh Fowler, pointed out that I had not introduced myself to my followers in a very long time. If ever.

Hmmmm….well that got me thinking.

I started my organizing business in 2005. This coming July I will celebrate 19 years in business. Much has changed in 19 years with the world around me, in my business and in me. My client base has changed as my business focus as evolved and my skill set has developed.

So here goes – a reintroduction of Carolyn Caldwell.

Who was I before my entry into the organizing industry?

My original career was in healthcare where I trained as a nurse. Then there was a stint working in Bella Coola on the northwest coast of Canada then overseas with CUSO in Kimadan, Papua New Guinea.

Dr. Caldwell and Nurse Caldwell on pathway outside health centre Papua New Guinea.

When Dad (Dr. Caldwell) and Mom came to visit Kimadan, Papua New Guinea.

In PNG I supervised two rural health centres and was responsible for connection with ten outpost first aid stations.

I was 25 years old when I arrived, 27 when I left and aged a few decades while there. It was crazy wonderful and sometimes just plain crazy. Yes, I had malaria, almost got myself deported and learned one of my still favourite Christian songs.

Back in Canada I lucked into a spot at the University of Alberta for a Masters degree in health administration. By the time a graduated I was certain I wanted to complete a Phd. I still am certain,  however, after over 30 years and two careers the subject matter has changed dramatically. My time in health care admin lasted only 8 years before the toils of the 80’s and 90’s in health care in Ontario wore me down.

With two small children, a house, husband and mortgage, the days of travelling the country with all my worldly belongings on my back in a knapsack were over.

How did I get started in the organizing and productivity industry?

About that time my daughter learned to channel surf with our new digital TV box. She landed on Peter Walsh‘s Clean Sweep and I was smitten. I was fascinated with the marriage of organizing as a profession and the psychological issues of being disorganized. While watching every episode I could find, I also came face to face with the reality I was keeping way too many baby clothes and supplies. I was 44; the likelihood of more children was slim. So, I watched and purged. Bags and bags of gear left our house. While auditing a coaching program for a friend, I realized there might be a business venture for me.

Thus, in 2005 Wellrich Organizers was born. I found the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, now the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). I joined the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Having been socialized by the health care system that credentialing protects the public, I worked hard to achieve my Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization and my Certified Professional Organizer designations. I subsequently went on to earn my Master Trainer designation with ICD.

Having volunteered in leadership since university, jumping into the volunteer leadership track was a natural step. By 2009 I was a Director on the POC Board of Directors and currently have been honoured to serve as President of the Board of Directors for ICD.

Carolyn Caldwell as Coach

Carolyn Caldwell in skis, helmet and red ski coaching uniform at top of ski hill.

I get the best views at the top of the ski hill.

Before long in, it was clear that coaching was an obvious skill to add to my tool box. I credentialed as a Certified Organizer Coach and subsequently transitioned to a Certified Productivity Coach. The addition of coach training has probably been one of the most influential parts of both my organizing career and training. Coaches learn to support and hold space for their clients. They believe their clients and knowledgeable, competent, resourceful and whole. Stepping back as the expert and holding space for clients completely changed my approach as an organizing professional. As my practice has evolved, I have developed a proprietary coaching model Mindfully, I AM Evolving.

Carolyn Caldwell as Teacher

I taught sailing as a teenager and have taught skiing professionally, as a CSIA member and ACA coach since my children could carry their own skis and ski better than me. It seems only natural to add teaching to my career in the organizing and productivity world. I’ve created courses on marketing, planning and kickstarting a new service-based business. Having made many, many mistakes as an entrepreneur, and invested heavily in my personal development, I realized I could shorten the learning curve for others.

Caldwell Evolution Inc TodayAqua wing over dark blue wave in Caldwell Evolution Inc. logo

The word Evolution came from a mentored coaching session with other coaches seeking recertification. It was perfect. Evolution describes my exact understanding of the decluttering, learning, coaching and getting things done process. I incorporated the business in 2015 and launched the new company in 2016. In 2020 a rebranded to the look, touch, feel you see today. The wing over wave represents the freedom of flying and the nourishment of water. My goal is that clients would achieve that sense of freedom by mastering clutter-free living for a calm and powerfully productive life.

I love the work that I do coaching and teaching. I especially love that I specialized in working with individuals managing chronic disorganization. Most of my clients have been diagnosed with ADHD, regardless of whether they seek my out because they are overwhelmed with clutter, frustrated trying to get stuff done or discouraged at not getting their business up and running.

Watching clients achieve those AH HA moments makes it all worthwhile. When they tell me they are becoming, evolving, to the best version of themselves, the version that THEY want to be, are goosebump moments for me.

Caldwell Evolution News Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Productivity
Tags : Coaching, Institute for Challenging Disorganization ICD, Leadership, National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals NAPO, Professional Organizers in Canada
child in yellow and blue rain coat looking a yellow-painted brick wall with scripted writing "believe in yourself"

When Mindset Matters, and What to Do

Posted by Carolyn on
 February 15, 2024
  ·  No Comments

child in yellow and blue rain coat looking a yellow-painted brick wall with scripted writing "believe in yourself"Our minds are not easy to manage. There are times when mindset matters more than others.

Reality Check

Harsh reality greeted my 5 am routine this morning. One of the boats had dismasted in the southern Atlantic.

I am mesmerized, like thousands of other sailors around the globe, by the progress of the boats in the 2023-2024 Global Solo Challenge. The sailing event is a single handed, non-stop, around-the-world race passing by all three of the major capes: Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia) and Cape Horn (Chile). A seasoned sailor, I can confirm this event is not for the faint of heart, will or nerve.

In the months since the event started, there have been many breakages of varying severity. Boats have resigned from the race for a variety of reasons and pulled into safe harbour. Other than severe personal injury, or a hole in the hull, the dismasting of a sailboat is probably one of the most severe of potential damages. Without the mast and even a small amount of sail in place, sailboats become unstable in wind and high seas.  A small amount of sail can stabilize the boat, moving it forward to run with the wind.

Back to this morning; news of a dismast was bad enough. Making matters worse, a major weather depression with high winds and seas would arrive within 30 hours at the vessel’s location. The sailor made the extremely difficult and heart wrenching decision to seek assistant for a rescue. The coast guard was alerted, nearby boats were notified; one nearby ship has turned around. Rescue is expected, hopefully before sunset.

view of setting sun over leeward deck of sailing yacht.Why Mindset Matters

I can’t imagine what would be going through the mind of the skipper. Options? Resources? Panic?

Sailing solo requires the ability to think clearly under the most pressing of conditions. Alone, it is essential to maintaining a calm, composed brain that can keep identifying challenges and solutions. Most importantly, you have to believe that the solutions will work or that there even is a solution.

I noticed the similarity between this skipper’s mindset and that of clients and colleagues who were successful in their goals. Most of us don’t fear for our safety in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes however, we can feel quite adrift in the personal or entrepreneurial ocean of challenges.

Managing Our Mindset

Do you believe that things will go well? If they don’t go well, do you believe you can find a solution?

Can you stay positive in the face of challenges? Can you say you will be successful?

These skills, and I do believe they are skills, take time to develop. High performance athletes work with mental performance coaches to train themselves for mental toughness. Mental strength helps them manage through fear and the weight of expectations. A “can do” mindset promotes creativity to find solutions under pressure. Faith in one’s abilities provides confidence when making decisions under pressure.

woman sitting on hill cross-legged looking out over valley in peaceful environmentStrategies for Mental Toughness

You may not have access to a mental performance coach, however, you can still strengthen you mindset to support your goals and dreams. Here are some strategies to try. Use whichever works for you. There is no right or wrong choice.

  1. Practice meditation. Meditation requires mindfulness which promotes awareness. Awareness helps us notice what is working and what isn’t. With this awareness one can focus on doing more of what leads to solutions and less anything else. Meanwhile, the meditation keeps us grounded in the here and now, rather than living in fear of the future or regrets of the past. Meditation can be as simple as a walk in a forest, noticing what is happening now: birds singing, a wind blowing, the colour of the sky.
  2. Write down your goals, both short term and long term. When written, ambitions become tangible and real. A tangible challenge is far easier for which to create a solution than a nebulous, unclear dream.
  3. Break it down. Whenever something is unclear, overwhelming or frustrating, write it down and then break it down. Breaking a task, project or challenging situation into its smaller parts, helps us find a place to start. Keep breaking steps down until you find one that you can accomplish with 100% certainty.
  4. Read books that discuss strategies for success especially around mental toughness and a positive mindset. One of my favourites, and a simple, easy read, is Who Moved My Cheese by Sr. Spencer Johnson. I especially recommend the follow up books Out of the Maze and The Present.

Back to Reality Checkup

With a “can do” mindset and strategies that have a tried and true track record for success, most tough situations can be managed. You will find yourself committed to finding a solution and achieving success. You may also find yourself less stressed and enjoying the challenges of your entrepreneurial, other career or personal life.

Update: The sailor was rescued within 24 hours, before dark and before the storm arrived at his location.

Clarity Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Productivity
Tags : mindset

Habits: Tripping vs Thriving

Posted by Carolyn on
 February 5, 2024
  ·  No Comments

woman in brown sweater and scarf sitting on log an looking out over body of waterHabits can sometimes be very helpful. Other times they trip us up and get in the way of accomplishing our goals. In the Mindfully, I AM Evolving coaching program I support clients to recognized both and learn how to use, or modify them.

What is a Habit?

A habit is behaviour we do without thinking. It is an unconscious response to something. Habits are part of a triad identified by behaviour researchers such as Charles Duhigg. Our minds perceive a stimulus which creates a reaction and that in turn creates behaviour which we understand to be the habit. In his book, The Power of Habit, Duhigg identifies the cue, routine, reward loop which represents our habits. Our mind perceives a cue, we respond with a routine reaction and receive the reward that the mind has learned will be produced. A habit is a learned reaction to a cue which results in us receiving a reward.

Tripping Habitsyellow caution tape wrapped around yellow barricade.

Unfortunately, as we all know, not all habits help us get to where we want to go.  Anyone with a sweet tooth knows how hard it is to break the habit of eating the free candy of the hostess desk in a restaurant. For many it’s picking up their smart phone and finding themselves mindlessly scrolling a social platform without even realizing they are using up work, play or study time.

Thriving Habits

On the other hand, some habits help us to reach our goals or to stay safe or become a better version of ourselves. The habit of checking that the door is locked when leaving keeps us safe. Looking left then right then left again before crossing the road keeps us safe.  For members of the Robin Sharma 5 am Club, getting up early helps them move forward in personal and professional development.

Mindfulness, Awareness and Habitswoman raising hands in triumph looking our over lake

The Mindfully, I AM Evolving coaching program is a proprietary coaching program.  The program helps clients self-coach using a four step model. Mindfully, refers to developing awareness. I stands for Intention, identifying who they would be as their best self. The A refers to Attention or where to place their energy, what strategy is required, to become that person. Finally, M stands for Mindset; what do you need to know, understand or believe in order to make that Intention a reality.

When it comes to habit, the first challenge is to identify that a habit exists. Using mindfulness – defined as paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment without judgement – one starts to develop awareness of one’s unconscious actions, behaviours or thoughts. Unconscious actions, behaviours or thoughts are, in fact, habits.

So What? Now What?

That’s great Carolyn but what do I do with all this?

With awareness, we can decide if we like how the habit impacts our life. If you like the outcome, great, do more of it. If you don’t like the outcome, modify, manage or eliminate the habit to get a better result. Awareness allow us to decide what to do. When we don’t even notice we are doing something, its impossible to change it.

To help yourself become more aware of your habits, try an experiment. See if you can develop the awareness to catch yourself using a habit. Reserve judgement, just be aware.

What did you notice?

How does it impact your ability to be successful?

Is it causing you to trip or to thrive?

What would be a better action or what can you do instead?

What will you do next time? How will you catch yourself?

Using these few questions you will develop the mindfulness to catch yourself in a habit which you can then arrange to modify if need be.

 

Habits Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Challenges Productivity
Tags : habits, organizing strategies
person's legs with red running shoes lying on white hammock

Delay and Procrastination: Same or Different?

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 31, 2024
  ·  No Comments

How does one determine whether not doing something is delay and procrastination?

Procrastination is a one of the most common complaints and issues for all my clients whether they are seeking my support for decluttering, down sizing, business or life coaching. Curiously it all looks the same and the concerns are expressed the same way.

“Why do I keep procrastinating when I know I should be doing this (filling the blank with desired goal to accomplish)? Why can’t I just do it?”

Delay vs Procrastination: The Differencewhite balance scale with apples on one weigh plate.

Timothy Pychyl is one of my favourite resources on procrastination. His book Solving the Procrastination Puzzle has been a great resource and provided extremely helpful information.

Pychyl defines procrastination as “needless voluntary delay”. In other words an individual is choosing to delay action on an item, unnecessarily. He points out that other delay may be caused by factors outside of our control, resulting in a frustrating delay. For example we may need to wait for a supply back order to be available before starting on that fabulous DIY project. A delay may be caused by a shift in priorities. Instead of working on the project the weekend the supplies are available, you time is redirected to caring for a sick child. Balancing and juggling priorities is a day to day challenge for most people.

According to Pychyl all procrastination is delay but not all delay is procrastination. Some delay is waiting on another thing to be completed. Delay could activities out of our control.

Someday I Will Syndrome

Then there is the someday syndrome. Goals we have are unspecific. It is hard to accomplish something that is vague. When there isn’t an clear outcome, date and deliverable in place, often there is a lack of accomplishment that goes with the vagueness.

Solutionscalendar open to days of week with blue and orange market sitting on top.

Here are four key solutions that may helping with your delay and something thinking:

  • Write it down. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, get it writing down to make it real and tangible.
  • Break it down. Large vague project are really hard to move forward on. Make the project or item smaller and smaller into pieces and until you are guaranteed to e successful.
  • Schedule the action or project. Most likely unless it is a very small project, you will be scheduling pieces of activity that lead to completion.

Conquer Procrastination Cheat Sheet cover

 

 

For more help with procrastination strategies, pick up a free copy of the Conquer Procrastination Cheat Sheet.

 

Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Challenges Organizing Time Productivity
Tags : Goals, Procrastination, Time Management, Understanding disorganization
view of setting sun over leeward deck of sailing yacht.

Take a Break

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 18, 2024
  ·  No Comments

Sail boat in choppy waters facing sunsetWhen Life throws us rough waters, we may need to step away or take a break from our business for a short time. An annual plan can support you to get back on course faster and easier.

Life’s Hiccups

They say that Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.

It might be events over which you have no control. Or the consequences of something you did or decided days, weeks or months ago.

Maybe you aren’t getting the business results you had hoped for and you don’t know why.

Perhaps the weather has you down or a relationship or loved one needs your attention.

Or, as I sometimes say, “The moon may simply be sitting on the wrong side of the sky today”.

Regardless of the reason, when Life turns calm waters to rough, we have to respond.

Take a Breaktwo stones in sand with curves in sand around them

Stepping away or stepping back may be the best solution. Rough waters may mean a timing change or detour from your plan. If the original plan didn’t work out, stepping back to reassess can provide insight.

When an expected result shows up, slowing things down to check your assumptions can lead to a better decision and better result the next time.

If and when you are tired, anxious or find yourself not eating or sleeping well, taking a step back may provide your body and mind a rest it needs. Taking a short break gives you time to refresh. You will return able to make better decisions and more resilient to challenges.

Have a Plan

When you have an annual plan, coming back after a short break goes smoother. Recovery is faster.

When the seas get rough, don’t change the goal, change the strategy.

A good annual plan has a four steps to help you step out of your comfort zone, step up to the work, step in to the tasks and step through the inevitable challenges.

Ship's compass with calm waters to get back on course.Step one is a compelling vision that keeps you focussed and reminds you of why you are pursuing goals in the first place. Next the plan needs a break down of the year to show where the revenue opportunities sit and where the expense obligations lie. Step three is a set of detailed process and outcome goals by quarter and month to identify what work needs to be done and when. Final step is a set of tools to which you can resort when the procrastination, perfectionist, and fear of failure – or success – gremlins show up.

With this four step plan in place returning from a break will keep you focussed on your compelling vision and why it is important. The goals don’t change; the timing may need to be adjusted. It’s easier to get back on course even if a detour or delay was necessary.

Taking a break is sometimes the smartest solution when life churns the seas and unexpected challenges show up. With a solid plan getting back on track is faster and easier.

Clarity Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Challenges Planning Productivity
Tags : Goals, Leadership, organizing strategies, Planning, Time Management
green journal book, key board rose and computer mouse on white desk top

4 Steps to Planning a Prosperous Year

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 7, 2024
  ·  No Comments

green journal book, key board rose and computer mouse on white desk topSetting up for a prosperous year can be an exciting task. You are at the beginning of another new year and planning is on the brain. Setting up New Year’s resolutions? Have a project you want to accomplish? Is there a particular goal that you are committed to? Or, like my mentoring clients, are you setting up a plan for your business for the coming year?

Ensuring yours is a prosperous year, takes time and a process. Here is a 4-step process from my Planning for Prosperity course that will help you accomplish your goals and projects.

1. Step Out – Of Your Comfort Zone

A prosperous year starts with a compelling vision. A compelling vision keeps you motivated when the going gets tough. It keeps the taste and benefits of success front and centre while you are working through the hard parts of a project or the ups and downs of reaching a goal.  Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does your project take you out of your comfort zone?
  • What would be the benefit to you of completing the project, task or goals for your year?
  • What will you be able to do when your goal is accomplished?

2. Step Up – To What You have to Do and Whom You must Becomeperson's feet in black running shoes taking step on stairs

For a prosperous year to materialize, we have to be really clear what we have to do and when to do it. In this step, identify exactly when in the year the project or goal activity will take place. Clarify the months, weeks and portion of any day where the activity for this goal or project will take place. This helps you understand what is realistic and what is a “pie in the sky” dream.

Frequently, this is a big “Ah ha” moment for my clients. At this point they realize their income goal is realistic when they can only work billable hours during 42 weeks of the year.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Where in your calendar will this happen.
  • How much of each day will I have to earn income, go to the gym or work on my book?
  • How many days a year?
  • How many weeks a year?
  • How many clients are required to earn the income in your goal?

3. Step In – To Identify the Work to be Donecalendar open to days of week with blue and orange market sitting on top.

This step identifies the real clarity of work to be done for your prosperous year. Regardless of your goal or project, what are the milestone accomplishments that you will target? I am a strong advocate for the 12 Week Year by Brian F. Moran and Michael Lemmington. Breaking the goals or project into check in points helps you to see your progress. It also reminds us that each goals or project is best accomplished when broken into steps.

If working on an annual goal, break the year into four, 12 week or 84 day sprints with a 13th week to evaluate your progress and set the next 12 week goals. To help with Step 3, ask yourself these questions:

  • How will I know when the goal or project is accomplished and when?
  • What does one quarter look like?
  • What does one half look like?
  • What does three quarters look like?
  • What metrics will I use to track my progress?

4. Step Through – The Challenges that Hamper Successwoman raising arms in success at tope of hill

A prosperous year is not without its challenges. It’s not a question of IF procrastination, perfectionism, and fear will show up but WHEN. Life will show up and through unpredictable barriers in our way. Having a toolbox of tips and tricks that you KNOW will work for you, will strengthen you ability to accomplish your goals and see your project through to completion.

Ask yourself these questions to help you Step Through life’s challenges:

  • What works for me when fear of failure shows up?
  • Is my vision or image of success compelling enough to keep me motivated?
  • How will I handle criticism from people who don’t share my goals, ambitions, dreams or even understand how important my project is?
  • Is perfectionism standing in my way of success?
  • Can I actually get this goal or project done? Are the pieces or steps small enough?

How you define your prosperous year is up to you. These four steps will help you get and stay motivated, get clarity on the work to be done, what needs to be done and who you have to become to do it. Finally, give yourself some tips and tricks and strategies for when those curve balls get thrown our way.

Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Planning Productivity Strategy
Tags : Goals, Planning, Procrastination, Schedule
person's feet in black running shoes taking step on stairs

Subatomic Steps: Still Energy Forward

Posted by Carolyn on
 September 12, 2023
  ·  No Comments

Subatomic Steps: Energy in the Smallestlight grey stone with writing - small steps turn into miles and leaf graphic,

Apparently, subatomic is the smallest unit we can measure that has energy in it. While that may seem like a random fact, it was anything but random when I came across the word. Subatomic steps still move us forward.

Earlier this week I was looking for a word to use on my Instagram posts. Every third post, I create a video clip associate with the power or meaning of a word. I link three of those posts together in a series. The series in question SMALL, SMALLER  and now, SUBATOMIC.

Steps Forwardperson's feet in black running shoes taking step on stairs

I was looking for the smallest measurement possible that still contained energy to move forward. A common complaint of my clients is feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or discouraged by their inability to move forward or succeed in a goal. Many have tried for years to get out of stuck and into action.

Sometimes what is in front of us just seems too big to handle. That’s when taking small steps forward can make all the difference. Even the smallest of steps creates energy in the direction we want to go.

So, if SMALL is too big, try SMALLER. If a smaller step is too bit try taking an SUBATOMIC STEP. There is energy in the smallest movement forward. Just keep going.

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