Risk, Your S-Curve and Reward
This article provides an interesting prospective on the choice to disrupt your own S-Curve…evaluating the risks and benefits along the way. We hope you find it as thought provoking as we do!
Creative Work Life Balance Strategies for Working Mothers
You have permission to work on the weekend.
What? But isn’t that supposed to be family time?
Of course it is. And, it should remain so, for the most part. However, one of the biggest issues working mothers face is finding time for “it all” without without sacrificing quality of work or quality of family time. And that’s tough to do. That’s why sometimes trying different ways of balancing your world might just work better for you.
A recent Entrepreneur Magazine articleoffered some new ideas for “getting it all done.”
The piece featured time management expert, Laura Vanderkam, and her new book, “I Know How She Does It.” Vanderkam talked with more than 1,000 working women to determine some of the most effective ways for staying sane when caught in the crossfire of work and family commitments.
Here are four of the strategies she revealed:
Say Buh-Bye to 9-5
A new term that’s been cropping up recently is the “Split Shift,” which involves taking a break in the work day to pick up kids from school, engage in homework and after school activities, dinner and bedtime. Then, getting back to work after the kids are in bed. Of course, women have been doing this for ages but now there’s a descriptive term for it…and it’s a viable strategy.
Track Your Time
This seems pretty much a no-brainer but not enough women actually do this. It’s eye opening and liberating. Truly. Spend a week (or even a few days) tracking your time, both work and personal, to see where you’re really spending your precious hours. This will give you a great sense of where your time is going and either help you reassess your commitments to create more balance or, believe it or not, it may prove you’re actually balancing things better than you thought!
Reduce Your To Dos
Once you see where you are spending your time, you should have a better understanding of how to budget your time vs. activities. Reducing is a must and everyone should do this, whether you’re a working mother or not. We can’t stress enough (and neither can any time management expert) that eliminating non-essential tasks and commitments and either delegating them or getting rid of them completely will help keep you focused on your most important activities and save more time for coveted family time.
Work on the Weekend
This may seem contrary to creating good balance but knowing you have some specific, dedicated work time during the weekend can help alleviate stress. This is especially true for working mothers with do take time throughout the workday to spend time with family or take care of personal issues. Just make sure to keep this time focused on important activities and when it’s done, it’s done. And then….it’s time for family and fun!
Balance is an ongoing effort. Think of it as a fluid thing that needs to be fine tuned each day as the tides of life ebb and flow. What strategies have you found to help?
Shelley Bird on Work Life Balance
Can women really have it all?
Shelley Bird, executive VP at Cardinal Health, a colleague, friend, community leader and mom, shares her thoughts on this topic with the Huffington Post in her article, “Balance Schmalance.”
Her take: “we govern our own decisions and define for ourselves what success, including career success, looks like.”
In other words, you can have it all, but your “all” may be vastly different than what someone else considers “all.” And that’s perfectly okay.
Because, if we allow society to define success for today’s woman, we’re in essence limiting that success.
Well, Shelley, we couldn’t agree more and appreciate you telling your story along the way. Thanks for being “real.”
Woman of the Week – Jill Webb
Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women we think you should know. Some of these women are clients, some are friends, some are women we’ve only just met. But they all have this in common: they are dynamic, interesting gals who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.
Jill Webb
My Current Job/Company:
Head of Lower School, The Wellington School/Director of Professional Development, Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
My Work:
I am the Head of a Lower School for children from age 3 through 4th grade, and also serve as the Director of Professional Development for 230+ independent schools in the Midwest.
My Passion:
Family, my spiritual life, friends, art, learning
My Family:
Tom (my endlessly supportive and patient husband), Ty (my kind first born) Katie (his kind and beautiful new wife), Alex (my creative and funny son)
My Heroes:
Anyone who takes the chance to do the right thing
My Escape:
Anywhere with water, family and everyone cooking
My Pet Peeve:
Excuses
My Indulgence:
French fries
My Roots:
Lakes, trees, barefoot, boats
My Future:
Happily busy, busily learning!
My Love:
Any time my family is all together – complete!
My Movie:
Any movie with Diane Keaton
My Quote on Life:
Almost anything Oprah has said
My Accessory:
Boots! I wish I could find a way to wear them in the summer…
My Advice to Young Women:
Find as many mentors as your life will allow – most women are honored to be asked
How I Balance it All:
To be honest, I’m not sure I balance it well. I find it is often like spinning plates on sticks – and I am constantly moving from one initiative to the next to keep them all spinning!
Marissa Mayer’s Doing Telecommuters a Favor
Marissa Mayer’s decision to pull the plug on telecommuting at Yahoo! has sparked worldwide debate over its necessity and wisdom.
Obviously, Marissa is taking measures to turn around a floundering business. She said Yahoo! needs “all hands on deck” to get things going in the right direction again. And, earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the decision was made in part, to boost morale. With more than 200 employees working from home, and plenty of empty cubicles as a result, it’s easy to see how the energy of a workplace could be affected.
But what about the telecommuters themselves? Could this actually be a good thing for their careers? Could getting themselves out of their yoga pants and into the office for some networking and face time help them get ahead?
One of our community members, Tish Hevel, a communications consultant, believes that it could. As a work-at-homer herself, Tish shares her perspective in her post, “The Case for Showing up.”
Tish writes, “As a regular member of the no-commute club, I know there are definite advantages to staying in your own pajamas in your own home and petting your own big black dog while working. It saves time, money and wear and tear – on your car, wardrobe and psyche. For certain functions, it’s possible to be much more productive and focused. But over the long haul, and as a routine arrangement for full-time employees…there’s really no argument. It’s a bad idea.”
Tish continues to explain how valuable face time is to morale, relationships and work.
“Simply put,” Tish says, “the presence of people matters – no matter how imperfect, inconvenient and yes, insensitive they can be. I’m with Marissa. I remind myself of this on the days I grudgingly shower, get dressed, slap on some lipstick and scrape the snow from my car. Sales managers love to say it, and I believe they’re on to something. (Thank you John Potter.) You start differentiating yourself when you show up.”
To read Tish’s entire article, click here.
What do you think? Could this be a good career move for those who work from home? Share in the comments!
New Year’s Resolutions for Professional Women
by Chasity Kuttrus
How many of you have “get in shape” on your New Year’s resolutions list? How about “spend more time with family” or “read more books?”
We most often focus our resolutions on things we want to change in our personal lives, but what about resolutions to make some adjustments in our professional lives?
More often than not, if we can make some changes to our work lives, a lot of our wishes for our personal lives fall into place. Better work-life balance, for example, goes a long way in helping you get to the gym, not have to work as late and have extra time for your family and hobbies. See? I have it all figured out for you.
But, truthfully, our personal resolutions are often stymied by a simple lack of time and by the fact that we always put ourselves last – after our jobs, our families and our communities. Sigh.
Here are 7 resolutions to make in your professional life that will impact your health, happiness and well-being at the office….and most importantly, at home.
Make a Career Plan – We plan everything else, why do so many of us fail to create a plan for our career, one of the biggest parts of our lives? Sit down and consider what you want to be doing this year, next year, in five years, maybe even in 10. Then, make a list of short and long-term action items to get you there. Those short-term goals will likely become your professional New Year’s resolutions!
Delegate More – Once you have your plan in place and your required action items, you need to shift things around so you can focus on those things. Delegate the stuff you don’t need to be doing! Yes, it’s hard to let go of some things but once you begin handing things off to a trusted resource, you’ll become addicted to delegating. It’s freeing. And leaves you much more time for the important things only you can do.
Pay it Forward – Consciously take time to help others, both your superiors and your subordinates. Do it when you can so that when you do have to say “no” you don’t feel bad about it. And, pssst…delegating more will enable you to lend your time and talents more freely.
Say No – Learn to say no. Say “yes” when you can but if the request keeps you from working on your own goals, say no to it. I’m not saying only do things that will further your career. I’m just saying when you’re pressed for time, you need to prioritize. Your advancement is your priority, not doing things because you just can’t say no to requests.
Stay Out of Office Politics – You will never win. Ever. But you know who does win? The person who shows enough self confidence to rise above the fray and focus on getting things done. Gossip, backstabbing and plotting revenge are major time and emotional well being suckers and keep you from important work.
Be Visible – As important as it is to keep your nose to the grindstone, so is showing your face. Go to networking events. Participate in meetings. Have lunch with colleagues. Don’t just hide in your office. Whether that office is a cubicle or the big fancy corner digs, you need to get out, see and be seen.
Keep Normal Hours – Create an environment where your team members understand boundaries – yours and those of your colleagues. If you are sending emails at Midnight, you set a precedent for your employees, or your boss, that you’re open for business at all hours. Leave the office at a decent time each day. If you have to secretly work more at home (and hopefully you won’t) then do it on the sly. You don’t get medals for working 24/7. In fact, you don’t necessarily get promoted either because it can sometimes show that you aren’t smart with your time.
Above all, practice, practice, practice these activities. Habits aren’t easy to change and the important thing is to keep working on them so they do become part of your work life. Over time, you’ll find adhering to these practices will help make you happier and more well-balanced in the workplace – and in all areas of your life.
Happy New Year!
Begin Your New Year’s Resolutions Process Now
By Chasity Kuttrus
It’s mid-December. Has it hit you yet that 2013 is less than three weeks away? I know; it’s hard to believe. But most of us look forward to the new year as a time to refresh, restart and, well, change things.
But don’t wait until December 31st to decide what you want to be different next year. You have three weeks….take some time to think, really think, about what you’d like your 2013 to look like and then start making some progress towards those goals now.
Here are some ways to help you beautifully wrap up 2012 in nice little package and get a head start on resolution success!
1. Make a list of the ups and downs of 2012. Be specific and detailed; no happening is too small or insignificant. Go month by month and recall conversations, successes and challenges or, yes, outright failures. This will be good for you, I promise. And, I am certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised about all you’ve achieved this year. It’s a great way to get energized for next year!
2. Be realistic….and be grandiose…about what you’d like to be different next year. Create goals you know you can achieve (it’s great for your self esteem!) but also make sure you’re stretching yourself and your ambitions. You are capable of much more than you can imagine! How “big” do you really want to play in 2013?
3. Visualize yourself achieving your goals. I know it sounds a little corny but visualization is a very useful and effective technique. It helps you get into the mindset of success and prompts ideas about how to meet – and exceed – your goals.
4. Plan. Planning is the key to success with almost anything. Seriously. Take some time and plot out how you are going to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself. You may not have all of the answers now…they often unfold as they’re happening…..but having some action items against all of your long term resolutions will help you know where to begin.
5. Don’t wait until January 1 to begin making changes. Little changes will get you motivated to make bigger ones once New Year’s day dawns. If you want to network more next year, get out there now! The holidays are a great time to meet people. If you want to lose weight, don’t go hog wild over the next few weeks and then cold turkey in the new year. Start making some better choices now (and counteract some of that holiday indulging!) You’ll feel more motivated once the new year begins. If you want to write your novel in 2013, then start making some notes, outlines and jot down ideas to yourself.
Finally, have some fun with your resolutions! Own them; don’t let them own you. You can do it!
How to say “No.”
By Chasity Kuttrus
We’re almost into the last month of 2012. It’s the holidays. It’s the end of the year. We’re all rushing around, shopping, celebrating and trying to tie up loose ends from 2012 and planning for 2013. And the requests for time, money, help and more keep coming in. At some point, you’re going to have to say “No” to some things. And that’s hard.
But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the more you say “No” the better at saying “No” you become. Here are 5 ways to get you started.
1. Recognize that there is nothing wrong with saying no.
Really, I promise. You own your time and your life. Very few circumstances leave you with no options. And, it’s better to say no than to say yes and disappoint.
2. Remember, the “Yeses” add up.
Lots of small requests add up and before you know it, you’re spending all of your time on relatively unimportant favors, requests and tasks for others.
3. Know what you want.
It’s a lot easier to say no to things you don’t want when you know what it is that you do want. If you want to work with a certain type of client but another type approaches you, if you know what you want, it’s much easier to say no thanks.
3. Be polite and confident.
It’s always a good idea to be kind and polite when saying “no.” And, decline with confidence. If you waffle, you may find yourself agreeing to a part of the request or, even worse, the entire request!
4. Be brief.
Overexplaining the reason you’re saying no undermines your own confidence. The person does not need to know details. Honestly, it’s none of their business. Provide a brief reason and then move on.
The first time you decline a request, it will be extremely empowering. The more you say “No,” the more in control of your time and talents you will feel. Try it! (But don’t say “no” to this request, though!)
The Best Present…is Being Present
By Chasity Kuttrus
How can it already be Thanksgiving? If you’re like me, you feel like the Fourth of July was just yesterday!
But time marches on, doesn’t it? And try as we might, we can’t slow it down. But we can make better use of every moment we have. We can take some measures to be more present in our lives. When we’re present, we enjoy things, moments and people more. We take less for granted and we feel more fulfilled.
Here are some ideas to help you slow down a bit, to live in the “now” and enjoy your life just a bit more this holiday season.
Slow Down
That’s a tough one, especially during this time of the year! But sometimes by slowing down, you get more done. Rushing leads to mistakes, frenzy and frustration. Act more slowly, deliberately and thoughtfully. You’ll be surprised at the difference it will make.
Sit
Why do you have to be doing all the time? Just sit. When you have a moment between meetings or appointments, quit checking your email, scanning a magazine or making a quick call. Try just sitting.
Pay Attention
While you’re sitting, quit thinking about what’s going to happen next. Look around you and see what’s happening right now. If you’re so busy thinking about “what’s next” you’ll miss something really important, like the sweet smile on your daughter’s face, the sun bouncing off the clouds, or the very moment when the fragrance of your pumpkin pie starts to fill the house.
Observe
Be in a constant state of observation. Sit back and watch things unfold from where you sit. See how people act and interact. You’ll learn a lot about others – and the world – just by watching for a change.
Listen
When someone talks to you – put down the phone, look away from the computer or TV or from whatever you’re doing. Listen, really listen, to what they’re saying to you. Ask questions and repeat what they’ve said back to them so they know you’re truly engaged.
The next five weeks are going to be crazy ones. The irony is that the holidays are supposed to be about being together and spending time with loved ones, yet we spend so much time stressed out and frantic. This year, try something different. Be present. Because the only thing your family and friends really want from you….is you.
Inspirational Insights – Caroline Golon
We are lucky to have so many tremendous women in our community! You’ve met quite a few of them in our Woman of the Week feature. Now, we’re going to ask them some probing questions and see what kind of insights we can glean from these talented, successful women. Some are Executive Elements clients and some are not. Some are seasoned professionals and some are just starting out in their career. And all are super smart!
Caroline Golon
Today we’re chatting with Caroline Golon, founder of High Paw Media, a content development, PR and social media firm.
EE: What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started out?
Caroline: In my first job, I had the most incredible bosses. I was a little 22-year-old living in New York City, trying to figure it all out. I was so naïve about so much! These ladies took me under their wings professionally and personally. They taught me things, let me learn and make mistakes and allowed me to create my own projects and do things the way I thought they should be done. I worked in a fast-paced, fun and creative environment with bosses who cared about my success. I didn’t realize at the time what a gift that was! I thought that all jobs would be like that. Unfortunately, they weren’t. I wish I’d appreciated my situation at the time and stayed in that job longer. I had no idea how good I had it!
But today, I am completely appreciative of all the great work and incredible clients I have. I learned not to take things for granted. Thank you, Pat and Jenny!