Space

Is your day...your life so jam packed that you struggle to try to fit things and people in? Time to create space in your world, make some choices as to what to do and what to don't, to stop doing what's expected of you and start doing what you can positively impact (including for your life).

What do you absolutely have to do and what do you absolutely have to NOT do? That's a place to start.

Best!
Donna Karlin

Note: We stand by the commitment to our clients to not take on more people than we can have time to serve and serve well. To that end, we have just transitioned two clients into new positions and are now open to taking two new clients to fill those slots. Contact us for more information.

Saying yes when you know you should be saying no

Do you say yes to things you know aren't in your best interest because you're worried about what others will think if you say no?

You only have so much time in a day...in your life. Why in the world would you want to be throwing that time away? If you say yes to something, does it evolve you? Have impact? Make a difference in someone's life? Your organization? Unless you can say yes to some of those questions, it's time to redefine.

Distinction

If you want to be 'fixed' or explore the reasonings behind why your past is dictating your choices for your future, then get a therapist or counsellor. If you want to grow, explore possibilities beyond your knowing, experience or present thinking, evolve, become superconductive, hone your talents and strengths so you become masterful at them and craft an amazing future, then hire a coach.

Two people...thought partners in crime are way better than none.

Your choice. It starts with perspectives

Learning Comes from All Perspectives

I just spent most of the week working in Washington DC at a Performance Improvement Retreat..a government experience: turning to a new playbook. What a concept being able to toss the old aside and create radical positive change, especially in a bureaucratic environment. Did I achieve my goal in helping them see through new eyes? I believe I did.

One of the participants came to me at the end of the 2 days and asked me what I had learned. That's not a question I'm generally asked. It was a great question and I think I shared an unexpected answer, both for the asker and for me.

It's amazing where learning happens. I learned what the participants were living in their environments from many departments and agencies, federal and state, high intensity positions and more low key ones. I learned about the assumptions they were operating from... and what it looked like to them when I helped them see beyond the assumptions and over the roadblocks that seemed insurmountable. I learned that no matter how de-energized some of these participants might have been, they were willing to dive in and co-create something powerful with people they had just met for the first time so they could bring back learning and a new play book to their respective worlds.

I learned that situations are similar on both sides of the border and how powerful a coaching model can be in these types of situations. And I learned how trusting a group can be when you show them you're really interested and are there to speak with them not at them.

I learned a lot and will bring that learning to everything I do from now on with clients, colleagues and students slike. Most of all I was reminded at how learning continues well beyond retreats and ocnversations if we keep our eyes open to it and learn to find what we don't know way more fascinating than what we do know.

Best!
Donna Karlin

Tech Toys

OK, I admit it...I love technology. It brings the world closer, makes it easier for me to be able to read in the in-between times, has lightened my briefcase considerably when I travel and allows me to connect with, talk with and stay in touch with those who are important to me. 

I'm constantly asked about the technology I use, how it benefits me and what I recommend.

And before you ask the question "Are you addicted?"  I do know where the off switch is on my Blackberry and use it.  I don't talk on the Berry when in restaurants as I want to be 'present' to whoever I'm with, don't glance at it in concerts or theatres and don't wake up in the middle of the night and sneak a peak at my email.

I do, however keep in touch with family, friends and past clients on Facebook,  many of whom I wouldn't have stayed in contact with any other way.  I use LinkedIn to connect with potential collaborators and clients, let my professional world know what I'm up to and cross post, so what I write here will automatically be tweeted, sent to my LinkedIn and Facebook professional page, different networks, one post.  I don't Tweet everything I do at every moment of the day nor do I follow the world as if I spend any time on Twitter it will be to read something valuable to me.

I discovered Doodle.com which makes scheduling for personal and professional life a breeze (not to mention choosing a restaurant, menu choice or colour), Tungle.me for my online scheduler, can't imagine my world without iTunes and my Kindle world so I have music and books with me wherever I go and my trusty little netbook which tucks into my purse and brings a myriad of eBooks, documents and graphics with me as I run to clients, in and out of airports and hotels on my travels and keeps me connected via Skype so I can call home, work, friends all for a song.

And watch out 'cause as an avid writer and one who loves to play with logos, I cannot WAIT for this!  Courier journal

In my opinion there is nothing like face to face connection but when it isn't possible, I know I can bring a piece of the world with me, one tech toy at a time.

Now off to download a couple of books to read on the go.  Any suggestions?

Best..
Donna Karlin

Powerful or just busy?

You can…

• Wade through emails and be thrilled when the number in your inbox is diminishing
• Answer the phone every time it rings, just because it rings
• Cross off the L O N G to do list which was generated for whatever reason, without considering whether everything on there is important or not
• Fulfill an obligation even though neither of you might benefitting from it
• Try to anticipate roadblocks and build in safe guards "just in case", often creating them in the process
• Aim for "good enought to pass"

Or, you can...

• Create a team or community of practice / interest where you can collectively bring your best to the table to pack a punch
• Instead of wading through a to-do list, ask yourself "What do I absolutely have to do?" and "What do I absolutely have to NOT do?"
• Give value just because (in other words, for no specific reason at all)
• Open yours (and other's) minds to possibility rather than worrying about potential pitfalls and problems
• Define excellence rather than a passing grade or mediocrity
• Give up worry and replace it with focus and action

Your choice....or not

Basic Understanding of Our 'Personal Operating System'

Is it time to pay attention to your 'personal operating system' and perhaps upgrade it if it's buggy? What ARE you thinking?

While I was waiting for my client in a busy area of her organization, I reflected on some of the observations I was making with regards to conversations going on, emotional triggers, wondering at behavioral drivers, automatic responses, levels of disinterest and stated perceptions. People are fascinating. It's extraordinary to observe and coach leaders in action. The learning curve for me when it comes to behavioral drivers and organizational chemistry is huge. Listening to some of the staffers in conversation boggled my mind.

So as I sat there, watched and listened, I wondered why some people didn't care if they learned anything new ever again and yet wondered why they were so unhappy. As I listened to someone share tidbits of her vacation with a colleague I heard the response "One day I want to..." and all her energy went into the 'one day' but not the "how can I make it happen?" I wondered at a group of people stopping at the foot of an escalator, seeing another group approach and not move. What good could ever come of that? They only moved when they were about to be run over. Can we draw that analogy to life? Doing things when it's necessary and not a moment before, taking care of our health when the doctor or circumstance gives us a life or death warning.

I listened to a discussion about winning vs. losing. I always wondered about how some people think there can be a win-lose (I'm not talking about a competition here). There's win-win and lose-lose and when someone thinks they won and someone else lost, then it's definitely a lose-lose. They might not see it at the moment but it becomes evident over time. I watched a couple of people being bullied openly. I wonder how someone at a high level of leadership can think there's anything acceptable about bullying others. There isn't. Ever.

Then I listened to some state how bored they are. How can anyone find this world a boring place when there is more to learn than anyone can in ten lifetimes?

And then, as my client approached, I listened to someone speak to her in double talk with nothing of substance, no position, no stated objective but just trying to placate my client and thought of a wonderful quote that was shared with me a while back. "What takes real effort (and in final analysis is most rewarding) is making a stand and then living up to it." - Elliott Powell, Assistant Director, National Business Center, Department of the Interior.

That says it all. It goes for us, towards others and for those we impact whether or not we're aware of what that impact is. It's time for us all to figure out how to upgrade our personal operating system. What's out of date and buggy and has to be replaced? If you're leading at any level, remember your attitude is contagious. How deeply you're trusted is contagious as well and will be shared throughout the organization. People don't want to hear "yes" all the time. They want the truth, and to know what's possible, what's do-able and how they can contribute to the overall success of the organization. They want to know someone is watching their backs, to be able to set personal boundaries and to know they are supported to excel. Oh yes...definitely the most rewarding, don't you think?