Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
How Thanking Veterans Can Become a Great Tradition – Guest Blog by Mark Scharenbroich
You have seen us promote the brilliant book Nice Bike by Mark Scharenbroich and when I read this blog about thanking veterans, it provided a wonderful example of taking time to give someone the gift of your attention and be thankful. Enjoy this heart warming story of strangers showing their respect and admiration for a veteran. This time of year is a perfect time to regularly start paying attention and thanking people in service for all they do.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Neen
One day, I was catching a flight out of the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California. As I pulled up to the airport, I noticed a crowd of hundreds of people, news cameras, a fire truck with a huge American flag hanging from the ladder, several law enforcement vehicles, and at least thirty Harley-Davidson motorcycles parked nearby.
I walked over to the crowd to see what was going on. It was a homecoming for twenty-three-year-old Army Corporal Wesley Barrientos. Corporal Barrientos was returning home from his third tour in Iraq, this time on two prosthetic legs. He lost both of his legs riding in a Humvee in December 2007 when it was hit by an IED, an improvised explosive device.
Corporal Barrientos’s family had expected to see him get off the plane in a wheelchair since he had been fitted with the prosthetic legs only two weeks prior to his homecoming. But he proudly walked over to hug his family and friends.
As Corporal Barrientos walked through the rows of people welcoming him home and saluting him as he passed, a television crew approached, and the reporter asked him, “How does it feel to have a hero’s welcome home?” The corporal smiled and simply said, “I was just doing my job.”
The local American Legion and VFW members attended in order to offer a salute as he walked by. Cheerleaders and students from his alma mater, Ridgeview High School, turned out to support one of their own. There were also a bunch of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders, complete with the leather jackets, bandannas, and tattoos, lined up to shout, “Welcome home, Wes!”
I walked over to some of the Harley guys and asked “Do you know this soldier?” “Nope,” was the answer. “We’re not even from Bakersfield.”
They told me that they were there to honor Corporal Barrientos. “I understand the local people, the law enforcement, and the veterans, but why the Harley riders? What’s the connection?” I asked.
“Well, this guy served our country, so the least we can do is ride over and welcome him home. A lot of us served in Vietnam, and we never had a welcome home. So, we do this a lot. I guess it’s kind of a tradition for us to be there for someone else.”
What an example of acknowledging those around you, honoring what’s important, and connecting to build community.
So, to make your ride more meaningful and emotion-filled, invest in traditions. Make a tradition of thanking a veteran whenever you see one.
Mark Scharenbroich is a hybrid speaker. Combine one part business speaker, one part pure entertainer, mix in a cast of characters, add a blend of motivational stories and actionable ideas and you have Mark Scharenbroich.
The post How Thanking Veterans Can Become a Great Tradition – Guest Blog by Mark Scharenbroich appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, November 23, 2015
How to build a strong personal brand that gets attention
What a treat to get the NSA Presidents Award… a crystal shoe – how perfect!
Love the opening line in Sally Hogshead book Fascinate (a great read) ‘growing up in my family, earning attention wasn’t a recreational pursuit, it was survival’. She goes on to say fascination is a force of force of attraction. We are fascinated with people who are fascinating. You might enjoy this blog and video we did a while back, click here.
Some of the most significant and ah-mazing leaders you know are fascinating and they have built strong personal brands.
If you have ever interviewed for a new job, applied for a job promotion, started your own company, presented at a conference on a panel or served in your local community … you know the importance of a personal brand.
Your brand is what people say about you. Making your brand fascinating might require you read Sally’s book and also consider these strategies below:
Be aware – start with a brand audit. Simply ask five people you trust what three words they would use to describe you. That’s a great indication of how you are perceived. Start to monitor the articles people share with you through email and social media. There was an article published to state that if you drank champagne each week you could boost memory and prevent dementia… 15 people sent it to me (that makes me giggle as I am known for my love of champagne it’s my drink).
Be clear – know what you stand for, what is important to you and create your own brand guidelines. This includes; colors you choose, types of clients you serve, clothing you wear, people you surround yourself with and online platforms you participate in.
Be Selective – be very clear about the posts you create (my policy is only positive), the people you retweet and feature (our policy is only those with strong ethics I admire) and people you surround yourself with (I choose those who inspire and motivate me to do more and be more). This applies to people you are photographed, published and and presenting with.
Be Consistent – create your own style guidelines for your brand. We only use a special paper stock called shine for our thank you notes, letterhead and business cards. I have a deliberate consistent look and feel for my work outfits that is very different to my play outfits. Your clothing (and in my case, my shoe collection) is part of your personal brand.
Be Generous – constantly be promoting others you support, with messages you agree with and brands aligned with yours e.g. I share posts by Mark Sanborn, Megan Kristel, Connie Podesta, Mark Scharenbroich – I believe in their messages. At every speaking engagement, I provide the meeting planner two names of possible speakers they can hire for their event next year. It promotes the best speakers I know and makes their job easier. You become known as a resource.
Be Social – social media is a part of your personal brand. Share generously of other’s brilliance, be consistent in your messages and choose the platforms and groups that best serve your brand. Be responsive to conversations and ensure messages are a reflection of your personality.
Today as a leader in your industry, could you spend a few minutes paying attention to your personal brand? Invest 15 minutes:
- Do a brand audit.
- Create brand guidelines.
- Create an action plan for actions outside your desired brand.
To build a fascinating brand you need to be aware, clear, consistent and selective, what can you do to build your personal brand today?
The post How to build a strong personal brand that gets attention appeared first on Neen James.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Pay Attention: Community Attention
According to Scratch Attention survey of Millenials ‘30% of people said their community shapes the way they think. Who influences how you think?
As leaders if we want to have more impact we need to pay attention to what matters.
In that same survey 50% of people said they’d give up a week of social media NOT to miss the finale of their favorite tv show! Incredible.
Social media has become a community attention strategy.
Here are strategies to manage community attention.
Who is in your community? Determine who you do you pay attention to and then deleate thoses that don’t add value to you and your life. Yep that means unfriending someone or unfollowing.
The post Pay Attention: Community Attention appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, November 16, 2015
3 Strategies for Leaders: Accelerate Attention, Appreciation and Affection
Paying attention increases productivity, profitability and accountability.
If you want to strengthen your relationships at work and home with your team, your clients and your family these will be helpful to you:
Attention – when you pay attention to people around you people feel seen and heard. That’s what we all want. A simple strategy is using people’s names in conversations. Dale Carnegie wrote a great book called How to Win Friends and Influence People. In the book he says ‘a person’s name is the sweetest sound’. Use team members names in meetings, on teleconferences, in emails and when you meet someone in service ask them their name and use it during your time together. So many ways to make others feel valued.
Appreciation – show someone you saw their contribution with a handwritten note, a complimentary email or a shout out during a team meeting. The simple art of thanking someone for a contribution is an important leadership skill. It also translates in our lives at home, thank your family for helping with the dishes, putting out the trash and not bringing their cell phones to the meal table. Call up a client and thank them for their business, send a holiday note thanking someone for their role in the project. So many ways to show others they are valued.
Affection – I am a hugger. If you have met me, you know that I am affectionate. While you may not be able to hug (or want to hug those you work with) affection can be a kind word or a helpful gesture. Be generous with your praise, affection and kindness each day. This week look for ways to show affection at home and kindness at work.
Leaders profit by paying attention, showing appreciation and extending affection and in a world that sometimes feels crazy, it’s the little things we do that make the biggest impact.
The post 3 Strategies for Leaders: Accelerate Attention, Appreciation and Affection appeared first on Neen James.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Do You Suffer Facebook Fatigue?
I do! I don’t need to feed my crazy by reading other people’s crazy.
We’ve lost count of how many times I’ve wanted to delete my Facebook account.
Not sure if it’s just when I’m overtired, or someone says something that drives me crazy … But there am have been many times – do you ever feel like that?
I won’t delete it … Facebook is the easiest and cheapest way for me to stay in touch with my wonderful Australian family who I miss daily and my awesome friends who are spread across the globe.
Seeing little things that happen in their lives i.e. a new haircut, their kids Halloween costume or an anniversary they are celebrating makes me feel closer and more connected to them despite my choice to live on the other side of the world. It’s easy to see what’s important to people through their posts.
If it wasn’t for Facebook I’d actually have to remember people’s birthdays …does anyone remember those days?
And yet I still find it exhausting.
Here’s how I manage my love/hate relationship with Facebook, manage my own fatigue and hope it’s helpful for you:
Decide – Who do you want to follow? Who do you want to be connected to? Who do you want to fill up your Facebook feed daily? These are important questions because the groups you subscribe to, publications and companies you ‘like’, will influence your time and attention daily. Realizing this when training for a marathon last year, I only had running groups/blogs/magazines and Health.com in the feed … time to get additional interests. When heading out on Harley trips or vacations with my honey I occasionally post (rarely read) because it’s nice to take a break. Protect your time and attention.
Discipline – set yourself limits of how much time you will review, engage and comment. It’s easy to spend hours … how do I know… because I have wasted way too much time online! It’s easy to get involved in a chat or read multiple posts and 20 minutes goes by … and you never get that time back. Reading it with morning coffee or while at the airport or on a plane is easy. Also have discipline and decide you won’t check every time someone tags you or writes on your timeline. We have a rule set up to approve every posts or picture on my timeline, otherwise it’s easy to become cluttered. Most of my friends post cool things. Recently an article was published about the ‘health’ benefits of champagne … we lost count of how many people tagged me (and that made me giggle).
It still takes discipline and I haven’t mastered it yet. Maybe it’s time for another Facebook diet?
Delete – remove yourself from groups that don’t inspire you (or you exhaust you). I have been added to groups over the years that start out great, then at some point become crazy or I become less tolerant (or maybe a combination of both)? I was once involved in a group that became unprofessional and unkind and it was an easy decision to leave (quietly and without telling anyone). Leave groups you don’t like; unfollow people you don’t want to see and unfriend those who aren’t friends… easy peasy! What (or who) do you need to delete in Facebook?
A few examples of Facebook used well include The Well Dressed Life by Megan Kristel, Mark Sanborn and On Air with Ella. Check them out if you aren’t following them.
What do you do to manage your Facebook fatigue? I’d love to hear from you.
The post Do You Suffer Facebook Fatigue? appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, November 09, 2015
Friday, November 06, 2015
Thursday, November 05, 2015
Featured Blog: The Five Building Blocks of A Successful Speaking Career
Below is a brilliant featured blog by Public Words that demonstrates the importance of why professional speakers must PAY attention to what matters most. I hope you enjoy this a much as I did. – Neen
This post is the second in an occasional series about professional speaking careers.
I often get asked about how to become a successful (i.e. sustained) professional (i.e., paid) speaker. My response, from many years of working with people to establish, to ramp up, and to sustain professional speaking careers, is that there are five essential building blocks. People try to get by without one of the five, and inevitably suffer as a result. Don’t imagine that you can beat the odds – embrace all five or labor endlessly in obscurity.
1.Your Idea
I occasionally get inquiries from people who are motivated by money, or the desire for fame, or the thrill of speaking in front of an audience. Perhaps they’ve received early success and praise for speaking, and they want more of the same. The adrenaline rush – if you like that sort of thing – you get in front of an audience is similar to the feeling of starting down a double black diamond run with a slope full of untouched powder in front of you. So you might want more of the same.
But thought leadership – which is what we’re talking about – begins with a thought, an idea, a passionate desire to change the world in some way. That passion is important because it will sustain you through the hard work and slow times that everyone works through before you get to the fun part – the speaking invites, the fan emails, the accolades from around the world. No one escapes paying their dues in one way or another. It’s just that if you really care about the idea, you’ll enjoy paying those dues rather than resenting the cost.
2.Your Speech
Why give a speech? Because the in-person, move-the-audience-to-action speech is still the most powerful way to get people actually, really doing something different. It’s not the most efficient; a viral video reaches many more people faster. But most of us watch that video and then forget it. We rarely change our lives because of something like that. A speech, on the other hand, can lead to action and life-changing consequences. So speeches have a kind of power that the written word alone – or even the filmed word – doesn’t have. It’s why we still go to musical performances even though it’s arguably much easier to download the music and listen to it on earbuds.
But you need to think of that speech not as your information but rather as a solution for a problem the audience has. It’s the audience that will own (your) speech ultimately, and that shift in thinking begins the serious creation of a powerful keynote speech that moves (individual) mountains.
3.Your Presence
Once you’ve written a powerful speech, you need to learn how to deliver it powerfully. A great message alone is not enough to make a great communicator. Non-verbal communication is just as important — particularly when you’re delivering a speech. When you get up on that stage, you’re competing for every audience member’s attention with the person sitting next to them, the breakfast buffet down the hall, and worst of all, the smart phone in their pocket.
Welcome to a lifetime of work on personal stagecraft, presence, and authenticity.
4.Your Book
A well-written book published by a traditional publishing house is still the required entrance ticket to the professional public speaking business, and the publishing process is mysterious and tricky to navigate. You’re in for a one- to two-year journey at the least. Writing a book is a lot of work; selling a book is even harder. For that, see building block number five.
5.Your Community
Just because you’ve got a good idea, a book as proof that you’re serious, a well-written speech, and the charisma to deliver your speech well, doesn’t mean the world will necessarily pay attention. In order to build a sustainable business as a speaker, you need an active community of fans and fellow enthusiasts. Nowadays, the good news is that you get to use social media to start building that community. That’s also the bad news, because that work never ends. But making a name for yourself this way will create ongoing, organic demand for you as a speaker.
Those are the five building blocks of a successful public speaking career. You need them all; skipping any single one will leave you in the cold, nose against the windowpane, envying the successful speakers, wondering what’s wrong. So get started on your journey, knowing all the stops you’re going to need to make along the way.
And good luck!
The post Featured Blog: The Five Building Blocks of A Successful Speaking Career appeared first on Neen James.
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
Monday, November 02, 2015
3 Strategies to Pay Attention to Our Existing Clients
Your existing clients chose you.
Surprise Them – send them notes, give them phone calls, send them emails, send them little gifts. Make them advocates.
Delight Them – suggest a new service, let them know in advance if your price will change.
Legendary Customer Service expert and speaker, Shep Hyken said recently ‘customers love to be contacted by the senior leader or executive level’ – it got me thinking. Our customers like attention … especially from those in seniority. When is the last time you gave them your attention?
Here are 8 strategies for managing attention:
Good attention
Be proactive – spend time proactively thanking your clients for doing business with you and your team for their constant performance. People want to be seen and they want to be heard – recognize someone today.
Have integrity – do what you say you will do. Be a person of your word. People notice when you do what you promise.
Deliver constantly – always be researching ways to provide exceptional customer service to your external and internal clients.
Share good news – provide testimonials from clients to the team and remind them of the great work they do, share team member achievements at meetings to inspire success. Always look for opportunities to shine attention on positive results.
Stay congruent with your brand – your personal brand as a leader and the brand of your company are reliant on staying consistently congruent with your values and beliefs – stay on point.
Bad attention
Think before you post – if you don’t want your grandma to see it or you don’t want it on the front page of the New York Times … don’t post it! I’m astounded at the crazy comments people post – don’t be that person!
Think before you press send – don’t fill in the TO field on email until you are 100% sure it is right, not emotional and can’t be misunderstood. Never send an email in anger, frustration or confusion – it doesn’t make you look like a strong leader and attracts bad attention.
Apply the bottom drawer technique – one of my bosses Barb, used to say ‘let’s apply the bottom drawer technique’ meaning put it in the bottom drawer of a desk, sleep on it and see how you feel in the morning. In today’s world of constant connectedness it’s easy to make rash decisions or respond inappropriately – don’t do it – it’s not good for your reputation.
Today focus on strategies to get GREAT attention and avoid activities that lead to BAD attention – when you do this you will be even more ah-mazing and be a leader with much stronger impact and influence.
The post 3 Strategies to Pay Attention to Our Existing Clients appeared first on Neen James.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
‘Elon Musk’ Book Review: Driving Home Success
The new biography, ‘Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future’ is a brilliant journey sharing the passion and work ethic that comes with success, world changing success. Here is my review of the book and an invitation to check it out yourself.
What motivates you to succeed? Where and with whom do you share your attention and focus? How can you leverage your vision to drive success, shift thinking and change the world?
After reading this book about Elon Musk’s journey, I encourage you to share your thoughts and how you may gift the world with your great ideas, unique thinking and undivided attention.
After watching my review, subscribe to Attention Zone TV and learn how Attention Pays.
The post ‘Elon Musk’ Book Review: Driving Home Success appeared first on Neen James.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Monday, October 12, 2015
3 Strategies for Open Plan Productivity
There are many statistics I found on the good (and bad effects) of open plan, I chose to take the positive side (you know me, glass is always not only half full, but overflowing and waiting for more water to be poured in!).
When leading a team; wanting to maximize their productivity and manage their attention, here are three strategies to assist make the most of this growing trend:
Know the do’s and don’ts – We have made a list for you and a few common do’s are: invest in headphones for the team to block out distraction, keep your space clear and tidy and items securely locked away and respect others privacy. A few don’ts include: never use speaker phone (so thoughtless), don’t heat up smelly lunch in the microwave, never intrude on others conversations or provide unsolicited advice. Creating a simple operating agreement with your team is a great strategy to foster collaboration.
Know your style – If you are an introvert you may need quiet thinking time (book a conference room to complete strategic work) or you may be an extrovert and constantly seeking input of others (you may also like to book a room for brainstorming). I loved Susan Cain’s TED talk and also her book Quiet: Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. A great read if you manage introverts, if you are an extrovert… or if you just want to know how to get the most out of your talented team.
Know the culture –are your team constantly collaborating on big sales deals, new marketing promotions or solving customer issues? They might require more collaborative spaces, include couches, conference rooms and breakouts. If they like to work alone and require strategic thinking time consider less meetings, more use of headphones and do not disturb signs.
Open plan environments can be highly productive, or massively disruptive – you decide. Allow your team to pay attention to what really matters and create guidelines for managing their focus during the day and achieving their results.
The post 3 Strategies for Open Plan Productivity appeared first on Neen James.
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Who are your beacons?
Have you ever felt like you are in a fog?
It might be an overwhelming project where you can’t see the end, or maybe a relationship that isn’t serving you and you’re not sure how to set it free? Maybe you focused your attention on the negative aspect of something instead of seeing the positives?
I know I have done this.
Recently I was in a fog. With a major project and so much going on, I didn’t know where to focus first (not good when a so-called productivity expert is overwhelmed… it happens).
I realized my beacons rescued me and helped me refocus my attention on what really matters.
Here’s how I got out of my fog or as my friend Ella from On Air with Ella calls it … a slump!
Be selective – I sought advice of 5 people I trust and respect, asked for input and listened to their advice. After processing their feedback I made most of the changes. Who do you listen to? Be REALLY selective of who you let speak into your life.
Be ruthless – once the strategy was created I made massive changes clearing out distractions, removing overwhelm and being hyper focused on the end goal. What do you need to eliminate from your responsibilities or obligations. Be REALLY ruthless with your time and attention.
Be quiet – listen to others, create a strategy and then sit quietly and process all you need to do or think to move forward. This is hard for me. I am noisy. My headspace is noisy. My honey will tell you I am noisy. So quiet is not normal and yet so powerful. Where do you need to be REALLY quiet so you can focus your attention on what really matters?
My beacons include my best friend, my ah-mazing mastermind, friends in my industry and of course, my honey. Who are your beacons?
Who are the people that you look to when you are in a fog or struggling to know where to focus first? This week, find a beacon and tell them you appreciate them. That’s how to be ah-mazing.
The post Who are your beacons? appeared first on Neen James.
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Monday, October 05, 2015
3 Tips to Manage Technical Distractions
Attention pays, but how do we manage our attention when every technical gadget we own is attempting to steal our focus? Manage your technical distractions with these three tips. Get focused, pay attention and get productive.
The post 3 Tips to Manage Technical Distractions appeared first on Neen James.
Thursday, October 01, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Attention! Hear My DEEP Voice – Just for Laughs
If we’ve met, you’ll know one of my unique characteristics is this voice.
It’s true… I sound like I am 5 years old… some might even say I sound like one of the chipmunks, so when I visited the team at Steve Spangler Science you can imagine the fun he had giving me a deep voice.
If you’ve ever wondered what I would sound like with a deep voice – click here:
Steve and his team have the most awesome science of the month kits so if you have someone you love who is also into science; consider one of these insanely fun gifts.
Halloween is a perfect time to explore all of the crazy fun things they have too – click here.
Every leader has unique gifts (and characteristics) that grab attention, what are yours?
Feel free to post your comments here on what you think of this fun video!
The post Attention! Hear My DEEP Voice – Just for Laughs appeared first on Neen James.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
5 Strategies to be Well Read
Do you ever notice successful people when interviewed often share how they read wide and deep? Some people quote favorite books, leaders and share how other’s story has inspired them.
Some of the most significant and ah-mazing leaders I know are well read and constantly review information to keep their leadership current and relevant.
Here are five of my favorite strategies to be well read:
Read Biographies – I am currently enjoying Elon Musk which shares his adventures with SpaceX, Tesla and Solar City. I believe he is a modern day genius and admire his brilliant mind. Stories of others success always inspire me.
Subscribe to magazines – it’s no secret I still love physical paper magazines (even with so many electronic versions available). I noticed in my office we subscribe to Success Magazine, Entrepreneur, Inc, Speaker Magazine, O, Shape, Women’s Health and Running World. It’s easy to see what’s important to me. What are the inputs in your life? What are you reading?
Read executive summaries – so many services are available that provide cliff notes of significant books, maybe that’s a great solution if you don’t have huge amounts of time to read (or maybe you don’t enjoy it)?
Subscribe to blogs – my inbox receives the Well Dressed Life, Seth Godin, Matt Church and Peter Cook’s blogs regularly and read every one! These are my faves – what are yours? Unsubscribe to anything you won’t read.
Ask for recommendations – my friends and colleagues are a great source of inspiration and I’m constantly asking what they are reading and why. Can you ask around of those you admire what they are reading right now?
Reading allows you to enter other worlds, increase creativity and grow imagination, learn new skills, remind you of information you know and strengthens your leadership style.
Today as a leader, could you squeeze in a little more time for reading and a little less time for distractions?
You will have more impact and influence at work, at home and in your community when you choose to be ah-mazing!
The post 5 Strategies to be Well Read appeared first on Neen James.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
5 Strategies to Manage Your Email
Email can be a distraction.
Email can be unproductive.
Email is not evil.
Here are five of my favorite strategies:
Invest 15 minutes – yep, you hear me say this all the time. Handle email in 15-minute increments. Set the timer on your iPhone, play a game and answer as many as you can. Then move onto a more strategic activity.
Unroll.me – this fabulous tool allows you to unsubscribe from emails and subscriptions that are filling up your inbox. Every time you open an email (even if you don’t want to read it) you spend a few seconds. Save time. Unsubscribe.
AntiSocial – this is a distraction management software I use on my Mac to block social media sites and email. It will soon release a version for our smart phones… I can’t wait!
Boomerang for Gmail – if you use Google mail this great service allows you to bounce emails back to you when you want to answer them, write emails and schedule delivery for another time – so useful and helps manage inbox overwhelm.
Text Expander – one of my fave apps on my Mac. It allows you to load short cuts for regularly used repsonses, words and templates. Saves so much time if you find yourself responding to emails with similar information. Check it out.
What’s your favorite tools?
My friend and social media king (I met on Blab) Brian Fanzo, follow him @isocialfanz told me about SaneBox which I am going to check out too.
Email is requests of everyone else for YOUR time to achieve THEIR objectives.
Today as a leader, where can you manage your email more effectively so you get time back and invest it in more strategic activities and more important people in your life?
You will have more impact and influence at work, at home and in your community when you choose to be ah-mazing!
The post 5 Strategies to Manage Your Email appeared first on Neen James.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
Outsource Execution – Not Strategy
Outsourcing is productive.
Leveraging systems is productive.
Creating templates is productive.
Repeatedly reinventing systems, process and procedures… nope.. not productive (obviously).
I advocate for outsourcing systems and NOT strategy. As a busy leader, do you find yourself with more responsibilities and projects than you feel you have time in the day? If you want to have more impact and influence and truly be ah-mazing on a daily basis, you need to pay close attention to where you focus your thought.
You are exceptional in your unique thinking and creativity. Your team, your family and your community need your strategic thinking and creativity.
Three strategies to create more time for strategic activity (and less tactical activity) include:
Outsource execution – people closest to me know I would outsource my life if I could. If only there was cloning technology so someone could sit at the hairdressers (instead of me) I’d love it … I love the result, hate the long process. We leverage social media management using SocialKNX to share content online. We use a mobile financial controller for our accounting function. We have a brilliant keynote designer for speech slide decks. We outsource execution not strategy. I still create the marketing strategy, speech and review the P & L … where can you outsource execution at work and home?
Limit decisions – we hired Kristel Closets to create a cohesive wardrobe that all coordinates and travels well (like granamials for adults) as I spend significant time living out of an overhead as a keynote speaker. I don’t have lots of clothes; makes decisions quicker. Shoes on the other hand… well that’s another topic.
Can you eat the same thing for breakfast each day? Can you limit the amount of small decisions you make daily to focus more on strategy?
Schedule strategy – when are you most strategic? Are you a morning person that creates best in the early hours or do your creative juices flow more in the evening. Know your style. Schedule time to work on your most strategic activities in your best time. Can you schedule a strategic appointment with yourself this week?
Today as a leader where can you outsource execution to allow you to focus more fully on strategy?
You will have more impact and influence at work, at home and in your community when you choose to be ah-mazing!
The post Outsource Execution – Not Strategy appeared first on Neen James.
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
How to Spark Joy!
Reading the book The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo I loved her premise.. a constant question to ask ‘does it Spark Joy?’ – it got me thinking.
Three strategies to de-clutter, get organized and also spark more joy are listed below… love to know what you would add.
Discard First – this principle applies in the book in getting more organized and I believe it applies to life. Where do you need to discard activities, tasks… maybe even relationships so that you can be more ah-mazing on a daily basis? Maybe you need to say no more often so you can say Yes to the things that really matter? A challenge to you today is discard one email in your inbox. That’s right… don’t answer every email, delete those you don’t need to respond to – you will feel lighter. You know that feeling of cleaning out your wardrobe… you always feel lighter when it’s done!
Be Generous – once you have discarded items at home or work can you donate them to worthy causes. At the time of writing Purple Heart is picking up weekly from my house (I am embarrassed to admit that), however you have resources others would benefit from, can you donate to your local charity. So many great causes for clothing like Career Wardrobe and others. Do you have books, magazines, CDs (I know I am showing my age), that you can give to others who would be able to use them to grow and learn?
Spark Joy – what sparks joy for you? I love champagne, shoes and spending time with my god daughters; Maddie and Ava. Can you do more of what sparks joy for you and others around you? How can you have more impact and influence on your team, your community, and your social media platforms?
Today you can choose to be ah-mazing and be in awe and wonder as you approach the day ask yourself ‘does this spark joy?’
As an ah-mazing leader, today choose to spark joy and have more impact and influence on those in your world.
The post How to Spark Joy! appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Are you Blab-ing? Check out this new platform…
Blab is a new platform that is a game changer for Thought Leaders wanting to share their ideas and build community.
Periscope has become really popular and it’s fun, however to me it feels one sided (just you sharing with the world)… Blab is about community.
Periscope build a tribe and fans. Blab builds a community and engagement.
Here is a short video I created on this new platform – find out more here:
The Team at Blab also started to post a few things to do (and not do) – here is their list (and I kinda like it).
Yays:
- Argue the point not the person.
- Control your reaction, not everyone else’s.
- Join Blabs you are interested in. Vote with your time.
- The host sets the rules to the party.
- Respect the viewer’s time.
- Be respectful!
- Have a good internet connection.
Nays:
- Don’t Blab and drive! You can treat Blab like your own personal radio station, but just listen in audio only mode.
- Don’t be rude.
- Don’t creep people out (with your attitude or your attire).
- Don’t leave the real world behind. Remember you’re a person. So is almost everyone else!
The post Are you Blab-ing? Check out this new platform… appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Share Your Thinking
My friend has brilliant mind. His ability to process volumes of information, create strategies, manage many moving parts has always inspired me. I thought of him recently when I watched the incredible movie The Theory of Everything, based on the life of the famous physicist Professor Stephen Hawking and his wife Jane.
This movie demonstrated the true unbreakable human spirit, the power of love and the choices we make to continue despite our circumstances.
It reminds me of a comment my friend Scott Ginsberg says ‘people don’t want to know what you think, they want to know how you think’. As a leader are you sharing how you think with your team, at home and in your community? To have more influence in your communications, project achievement and with others, share your thinking.
Be Clear – once you are clear on your message and how you have made the decision share both your decision and if relevant, the process of how you achieved that decision. Sharing your process will also assist others in your team know the ‘why’ behind ‘what’ you want them to achieve.
Be aware – many people are coming to the team or project with multiple agendas, diverse backgrounds and experiences; sometimes not everyone accepts your decision so sharing your thinking behind decisions can also allows others to get on the ‘same page’ as you.
Be open – something I admire about those I know who think brilliantly, is they are constantly learning, reading, always carrying a pen and paper to write things down; constantly open to learning and observing the world around them.
As an ah-mazing leader, today choose to share your thinking with those around you and have more impact and influence on those in your world.
The post Share Your Thinking appeared first on Keynote Speaker & Leadership Coach Neen James.
Monday, August 17, 2015
How to Stand Out
In today’s busy workplace many leaders are overwhelmed, overstressed and overtired. Today you can choose to have more impact and influence and really stand out as a leader.
Today you can choose to be ah-mazing and be in awe and wonder as you approach the day and say ‘wow, this is amazing!’
Here are three strategies to assist you stand out at work, at home and in your community.
Be Ah-Mazing – choose to stand in service of your team today. Choose to approach this day with a positive mindset and determine that every person you meet today will have a better day because they came into contact with you. Surprise and delight those around you today. Pay attention to everyone you meet and prioritize people (for more ideas on how to do this check out our blog.
Be driven – Know why you do what you do. Be clear on your objectives and remind yourself of what you are working towards. We all need to know our why. If you want a great resource on knowing your why check out Simon Sinek TED talk here – remember you don’t have time to do everything, only time to do what matters. What matters to you?
Be yourself – the world needs the best version of you. I love famous philosopher Dr. Suess quote ‘why fit in when you were born to stand out’. Honor your uniqueness. Share your skills, talents and your unique intelligence with the world. There are many great tools available to learn more about you. Check out Core Clarity, or complete a MyersBriggs Assessment, read Strength Finders 2.0 or complete a DISC assessment. Many will share how you are perceived, your personality and how you can enhance communication skills.
As an ah-mazing leader, today choose to stand out and have more impact and influence on those in your world.
The post How to Stand Out appeared first on Keynote Speaker & Leadership Coach Neen James.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Be Ah-Mazing: Schedule Me Time
You don’t have time to do everything, only time to do what matters.
I know some of you are already rolling your eyes and heavy sighing… muttering under your breath you don’t have time. We all get 1.440 minutes in a day, how are you investing yours?
To achieve more ‘me time’ begin with the 15 minute rule.
Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning to spend time alone determining your most strategic activities for the day or simply enjoying your morning beverage (I love strong coffee) and spend time reflecting on what’s important to you, meditate, review your goals or objectives. If you share your home with someone get up earlier than them if you can.
Schedule 15-minute breaks into your calendar as not negotiable appointments with yourself and honor those appointments like you would for your clients.
Schedule 15 minutes to work out – enjoy the time focused on how you are looking after yourself and changing your body at the same time. The bonus is your get mental health too
Schedule vacations for the entire year so you have something to look forward to.
Schedule a long weekend so you know you have a break coming soon.
Plan to arrive early at your kids soccer game or next appointment so you can spend a few minutes catching up on reading a magazine, sipping your coffee while it is hot or playing on Pinterest.
Schedule a Skype date with someone you care for and pour yourself a wine (or in my case a champagne) and have a virtual date.
The definition of ‘me time’ is different for everyone. Your ‘me time’ might mean something that energizes you: coffee with a friend, working out, walking around your neighborhood, calling your mum – it’s not about alone time for everyone it’s about what re-energizes you and your spirit.
I schedule ‘me time’ with the following systems:
Any day I am not traveling for clients or speaking at a conference, I schedule a Barre3 class at my local studio in Doylestown – barre is a combination of ballet, yoga and pilates. This tough but energizing workout is a treat for me and my body… and I shake like a leaf the whole time.
I love to run so running is a mental, physical and emotional opportunity for me to be alone with my music and my thoughts and while I am running I have several mantras (especially on days when the run is tough ‘I love this, I love this’ or ‘one foot in front of the other’ or ‘relax.savor.enjoy’
This year the whole month of August is ‘me time’. As an Aussie living in the US it’s important to see my family so I scheduled the entire month off to relax and rejuvenate with 2 weeks in Australia visiting my family, a week on a Harley bike trip and a week at home. I know it’s a luxury to take off a month … could you start with taking off a day? Disconnected from technology or just being with people you care about?
To schedule more ‘me time’ start small, start with 15 minutes.
The post Be Ah-Mazing: Schedule Me Time appeared first on Keynote Speaker & Leadership Coach Neen James.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Create Contextual Models
To have more impact and influence as a leader when you communicate, consider creating a contextual model. Models appeal to the strategic thinkers in your organization or audience.
Models help you present ideas with more clarity, position your message if consulting on a project, and provide a framework for your audience. A great model can take complex ideas and simplify them.
Creating contextual models is a great strategy to capture your unique intellectual property for you, your team and your organization.
Famous contextual models include Covey’s quadrant model (the urgent versus the important) and the food industry (food pyramid).
Use these strategies to elevate your message and create a contextual model to accelerate your communication and engagement.
Choose your shape – models are squares, circles or triangles – simple really! When you think of the idea you want to demonstrate in a model, what shape comes to mind? If you are sharing a process maybe it feels like a ladder (a triangle can work well here), maybe it is about relationships (circles, maybe even a ven diagram, works well).
Choose your main messages – determine the main messages you want the model to demonstrate. Do you want to outline steps in a process, compare information or demonstrate characteristics or provide outcomes? Once you determine your contextual messages you can then determine how to share them in the model.
Choose your movement – great contextual models also include movement, especially if the message is aspirational. Can people quickly identify where they are on the model and maybe where they want to be? To show movement in a model could include x/y axis or arrows.
Next time you are presenting key messages to your team or provide an update of your project in your organization could you consider creating a contextual model to appeal to the strategic, left brained thinkers in your audience.
For an example of our contextual model on how to be ah-mazing everyday click here:
You don’t have time to everything, only time to do what matters. Today choose to quickly share your messages through models.
The post Create Contextual Models appeared first on Keynote Speaker & Leadership Coach Neen James.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
