Connect with Your Compass in 2010

It is hard to believe that we are just six days away from Christmas Eve. My Christmas Playbook is a constant companion this time of year. Every Christmas season I take out my Christmas Playbook and keep it front and center throughout the season. Inside, I list my shopping lists, my guest list, my to-do’s and so on. I record what I’ve purchased and for whom, and what cookies I will bake. I make a note of what hasn’t worked in the past and ideas for improvement. Once I fill up a notebook I start a new one. It’s a Christmas journal and it is my compass. It is my touchstone when I begin to feel overwhelmed by the season.

This year I’ve had the privilege of working with a company that provides this kind of support to women year round. Compass is a personal development company committed to improving the lives of women - and it is the gift I’ve given myself this year. I’m always looking for ways to “do life better”. If there is an easier and faster way to mop my kitchen floor I will find it. But what I am truly committed to is becoming the best person I can become, and there are no shortcuts on this journey. I’ve looked everywhere. I’ve read hundreds of books, attended many seminars and became a professional life coach along the way. I don’t regret one second of my journey.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that it isn’t what you know but what you do with that knowledge that makes the difference. Compass has become my accountability partner, my source for inspiration and empowerment, and keeps me connected to what is most important to me. I receive an e-mail everyday that reminds me to listen to something called a MAP (monthly action plan). The MAP is a series of audio files that guides and coaches me through a monthly topic of my choice. It takes less than 10 minutes a day to listen to the MAP and make notes in my workbook. This month I have chosen to listen to the Spirit MAP called “Live From the Heart”. I highly recommend it!

While this year has brought a mixture of sadness and joy to my life, I feel centered and strong. I’ve made room in my life for amazing and supportive friendships, and I am reminded everyday to hold the space in my life for what really matters to me.

Whether you are a part of a company like Compass or not, this is a simple reminder that it is the small consistent actions taken overtime that have the power to transform lives. As the new year approaches, take some time to think about what you really want for your life in 2010. You have a compass called your authentic voice, and it is a powerful tool. You can create a map for yourself by designing a plan and reviewing it on a regular basis. Connect with a friend, a family member, a coach or someone else who can act as your accountability partner. Learn more about Compass at www.mylifecompass.com/coachvickiz. Remember, this is your life and YOU are worth it.

Now follow-up and enjoy your sweet victories.

Make This Christmas Shine

The end of the week is here and Christmas is only 14 days away. How will you spend your follow-up Friday? Perhaps you have an office party to attend, or shopping to do. You may have a massive to-do list in front of you right now. Even though you are busy, take a moment to reconnect with your purpose for celebrating Christmas. Is this season important to you? How do you want to celebrate it? It is easy to get caught up in the feelings of overwhelm, and we all will from time to time. Just remember to take a deep breath and reconnect to your reasons for celebrating. There is still time to make this Christmas shine. Now follow-up and enjoy your sweet victories.

Small Changes

Years ago when I first heard Thomas Leonard speak of personal environments and the idea that my life could be designed to create more joy and energy, I set a very simple goal for myself. I decided to improve my relationship with the alarm clock.
At the time I was raising my young family while working at a job I didn’t like. Each morning at the sound of the alarm clock, the knot in my stomach began to form and the only thing I was thankful for was the snooze button. Things are different now.

I look forward to getting up in the morning, I even get up earlier these days. Some days my “perkiness” actually irritates my teenage daughter. Many things have changed in my life but there is one very simple change that has made all the difference. I changed the sound of my alarm from a jolting buzz to a very sweet medley that softly greets me at 6:15 every morning and warms my heart. By making one simple change in my environment, I experience more joy and energy. I have made friends with my alarm clock.

Today, follow-up on those incomplete projects and unfinished to-dos, and remember that the small changes sometimes make the biggest difference.

Take a Deep Breath

During this very busy season I would like to remind you to take a deep breath. How does that feel? Do your lungs easily fill up with air and then release or do you feel restricted? Your body is a wise teacher. Listen to it. It seldom lies, if ever. Are you easily moving toward your future or dreading it? Unfinished business has a way of taking up space in our lives and holding us back. Remember, you are creating a future! If you are chronically putting things off, get support now so you can breathe easy and enjoy the fragrance of sweet victories!

Happy Thanksgiving

I don't know about you but I find it more than a little challenging to stay focused on my goals during the holidays. Everywhere I go there is Christmas music playing, and beautiful decorations that shimmer and sparkle. I do love it all! My own home will be bursting with all of this in just a couple of short weeks, and I can hardly wait. But today I am taking a deep breath to clear my head as I review the goals I set for myself in October when I looked ahead at the coming season. At the time I knew what I would face during the holidays, and I knew that I may not be quite as productive this season. I anticipated the obstacles I might confront, and with that in mind I adjusted some of my goals so that they would be reasonable and attainable. But still, I am not where I intended to be at this point in the season. Today I will take an honest look at where I am, and whether I will lower the bar or kick it into high gear. Either way, I am celebrating where I am today, and I am counting my victories. There is much to be thankful for, and the season isn't over. Happy Follow-up Friday and Happy Thanksgiving!

My Follow-up Friday Plan

As I look around my office this morning I begin to feel overwhelmed. There is a stack of notes on my desk that must be typed and filed. There are three phone calls I need to return before noon and since I work from home, the pile of dirty laundry is just a couple of doors away and I am feeling some pressure to deal with it. At the back of my mind is the nagging reminder that my marketing plan needs some attention. This feels big and important because my business depends on it. Friday is my day to close out my work week and prepare myself for Monday morning. Saturdays and Sundays are personal days. What is my follow-up Friday plan?

I’ll set my timer for one hour and clear my desk. Next, I’ll allot 30 minutes to return those phone calls. Since my workday ends at noon on Fridays, the laundry will wait until this afternoon when other family members are available to pitch in. By 10:00 AM I’ll have two hours to work on marketing, and I’ll enroll my work team for help. I have a conference call scheduled at 12:30, and I am looking forward to giving that my full attention. I’ve already prepared my Monday morning plan and it is written down in my “playbook”.

I feel confident and in control now because I am focus and armed with a plan. It is follow-up Friday and I am energized and ready to clear the way for a fabulous weekend! How about you?

It's the end of another very busy week. But has it been a productive week? We often get the two confused, and it is essential to know the difference if we want to win the season.

In reviewing this week's calendar I realize that I feel extremely satisfied about where I invested my time and energy. My values and important goals are reflected in the choices I've made this week. I know this because I took the time to clarify and write down what is most important to me, and the goals I've set for myself support my values. I am getting good at prioritizing.

This week will be entered into my playbook (journal/calendar) as a win; not every week is a win. There have been times when I've actually felt frustrated and resentful about how I used my time, and I am certain it will happen again. My sweet victory moment lies in the fact that I know the difference between using my time and investing it, and that is the difference between being busy and being productive. I had a productive week.

Will you declare this week a win? If not, what can you do today to turn this around?

It's not too late, so follow-up!
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What's Scarier Than a Gost?

Today is the day before Halloween, which means tomorrow you will be visited by all sorts of scary and funny creatures. Do you want to know what scares you more than ghosts and goblins? Success. Until you take time to define success for yourself, it will remain mysterious and unfamiliar, and that it the scary part. So after you put away the costumes and candy, take a few minutes to consider what success looks like to you. Consider what you want at home and what you want at work. What legacy do you want to leave your children? How do you want to be remembered when you are gone? Make the time for this little exercise and start anchoring your life in what success means to you. Have a Happy Halloween, and enjoy the ghosts, goblins AND success.

What Makes Life Worth Living?

There are so many demands on your time and energy that you may be feeling overwhelmed by the chores of daily living. You may find yourself so focused on what has to be done each day that you lose sight of why you are doing it in the first place. Review this past week’s schedule and notice what you enjoyed doing and who you enjoyed spending time with. What makes these relationships and activities worth your time and energy? Your answer is noteworthy so write it down! You will always be faced with many choices about how to spend your time and energy and it will be entirely up to you to invest yourself well. Make it a habit to follow-up with the people and activities that make life worth living.

Follow-up is a critical piece of any success strategy…and one that is often put off and avoided. You may feel inspired and excited about beginning a new project but three weeks into it you've suddenly lost interest. Why? One possible reason is that you've lost sight of why this project was important to you in the first place, or perhaps it really isn't that important after all. Choose one project or goal that you are currently investing time and energy into and ask yourself why this is important to you? Make a choice right now to recommit to it or let it go because you really do have a choice even though it may not feel that way. Follow-up on what you know needs to be done and what you can do today, and keep following-up until it is complete. Having a vision or an inspiring idea will give you wings but it's up to you to put those wings into action. Now get moving.

Honor Your Contract

Your calendar is your best friend when it comes to staying focused and on track but a calendar is only a reflection of the choices YOU make about how to spend your time. Take sometime to review this past week’s schedule and circle or highlight the events you actually attended. Did you attend every event on your calendar? Did you “blow off” a few events at the last minute because you “ran out of time”? Did you attend events that were not on your calendar? Do you spend 30 minutes on the treadmill each morning? Did you spend two hours at your child’s ballgame this week? Add these to your calendar. Go back and “correct” your calendar so that it reflects what you actually did with your time. Make it a habit to reconcile your calendar each week just like you reconcile your bank statement. Allow your calendar to become a contract you make with yourself each week about how to spend your time and who to spend it with.

Now remember to follow-up, make it a habit and win this season!

Welcome to Season Four – The Holiday Season!

Give yourself the Gift of Compass this holiday season!

You are now two days into a three-month season. Are you looking forward to the upcoming season? This is a very special season for many people but can also leave you feeling overwhelmed and burned out, especially if you are unequipped and unprepared to deal with it. Don’t get caught off guard this year. Keep playing the Follow-up Friday Game with me and we will work together to keep you at your best during this busy season. Take time this week to map out your season by getting your calendar out and marking all the events and commitments you must attend to. Here are a few to keep in mind, but by all means this is not a complete list:

October 12 – Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada)

October 31 – Halloween

November 1 – All Saints Day, and Daylight saving Time ends so adjust your clocks as necessary!

November 3 – Election Day (USA)

November 11 – Veterans Day (USA), Remembrance Day (Canada)

November 26 – Thanksgiving Day (USA)

November 30 – St. Andrew’s Day (Canada)

December 12 – Chanukah

December 25 – Christmas Day

December 26 – Boxing Day (Canada)

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

It really doesn’t seem like that many, does it? And you don’t even celebrate all of these so choose only the ones that are meaningful to you and be sure they are on your calendar.

Now check last year’s calendar, if you still have it, and look for other yearly traditions. Include your child’s holiday pageant, your church celebrations and office potlucks. What about family traditions? Who is cooking the turkey this year? Find out as soon as possible and get it on your schedule.

Nothing is too small to be included. You are in the process of deciding where you will be investing your time and energy this season. Your time is limited, so start counting every minute.

Once you have a clear picture of where your time and energy will be going this season, think about your personal and professional goals for the season. What needs to happen for this season to be successful for you? What actions will you need to take? What conversations must you have? What and who will you have to say no to in order to get the results you really want? These questions will help you tease out your goals for the season. Write down 2-3 personal and professional goals and be sure they are SMART.

You’ve just had a crash course in planning your season, and with a little planning you will be prepared and equipped to enjoy this special time with family and friends.

Give yourself the Gift of Compass this holiday season! Visit www.discoveryourcompass.com for more details. Request additional information by e-mailing me at vicki@sweetvictories.com.

Let’s win this season together!

Face Your Giants

We are less than a week away from beginning a new season, season four, which we call the “Holiday Season”. It’s a time when it is easy to get lost in a mountain of activity and social responsibilities. It is also a time for celebration as we focus on spending time with our families and loved ones, and honoring our most sacred beliefs and customs. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Counting today, you still have six days to complete season three. Over the next few days, simply focus on what needs to be completed this season. You’ll start a new season shortly but for now just focus on finishing what you’ve started. Go back to the goals you set for yourself in July, the goals that YOU said were important. Give yourself credit for what you’ve accomplished. Take some time to celebrate. If there are unmet goals, do what you can do to reach them and declare them complete. If you failed to accomplish your goal, ask yourself how important that particular goal is to you at this point. It may have seemed very important a few months ago but priorities change. It may be time to let it go but don't be too quick to let yourself off the hook. It's your life that is at stake here.

I’d like to leave you with one final thought: “Leave it on the field”. I heard that phrase on a Compass call this past week. Compass held a national training event last weekend at which time they showed a clip from the movie, “Facing the Giants”. Although I was unable to attend, I watched the clip and I was moved to the core. We each have the power to amaze ourselves and others with what we are capable of accomplishing. We inspire others when we take the lead to live an authentically accomplished life; a life in which we focus our strengths and talents for a purpose. Life is worth giving everything you’ve got. I ask you to leave nothing on the field this season.

Click here to view the clip from “Facing the Giants”.

"Take 10" and Win Your Season!

September is the final month in season three at SweetVictories.com. What does this mean? It means that YOU still have 12 days to follow-up and win your season. Walk into any store in the country and you will be reminded of the upcoming holiday season. In October I’ll be asking you to set your personal and professional goals for season four, our final season in 2009. But before you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a new season, stay focused on finishing September strong. As you tackle your unfinished projects and to-do list, remember, you are making room for a new season. Are you excited? I am!

If you need further support, I am here. Through September 30th I will be offering “Take 10” coaching sessions. I want YOU to win your season.

These “Take 10” sessions will cost you only $10.00. These calls last 10 minutes and are designed to provide the support and accountability needed to help you complete your goals and win your season. You will simply dial into my coaching line and together we will focus on what you need to do to win your season. Click here for more information.

Take Another Step Forward

It’s a windy Follow-up Friday here in Southern Colorado. I spent some time in the mountains this past week and noticed that many of the Aspen leaves have already turned to gold. With each Follow-up Friday, we get a week closer to a new season, and you have a choice to take another step toward reaching your important goals. Take some time today to evaluate where you are on your path. Are you satisfied with where you are? Are you happy with your progress? Are you doing all you can do each and everyday? Face yourself in the mirror and ask for the truth. Whether you are satisfied or disappointed with your progress, just remember that today you can choose to take another step forward.

If you need further support, go to www.discoveryourcompass.com. Life is a Team Sport. You don't have to play alone.

What Are You Postponing?

Today I want to talk about postponement. What are you putting off in your life? I often postpone things until I feel like I have my life in order. Not a bad thing in theory, but do we ever have everything in order? Today is follow-up Friday and I want to remind you that you can get on the path to experiencing more balance, fulfillment and joy, and you can do it now.

Kim Fulcher, founder of My Life Compass, wrote in her book, Remodel Your Reality (which I highly recommend), “a balanced life is, in essence, a designed life.” September is the perfect month to join Compass and start designing your life. Through the Compass MAP (monthly action plan) you will Design Your Life with My Life Compass founder Kim Fulcher. For as little as $19.00 a month for Basic Membership, you can get started today (there is a one-time set up fee of $20.00). You also have the option to join a coaching group and work with me or a Compass Coach of your choosing 2-3 times per month over the phone.

Whether you choose My Life Compass or other structure, the important thing is to make a decision and then follow-up.

What Do You Want?

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and ask yourself this question, “What do I need most today?” Perhaps you’d love to take a nap, treat yourself to a scoop of ice-cream, go for a walk outside on your lunch break or join a friend for an afternoon matinee.

It may feel selfish to think of yourself before others but don’t confuse self-awareness with self-absorption. Self-awareness will expand you and keep you connected to the world around you. Self-absorption will keep you stuck in your own little world.

There are things you must do in order to keep your life running smoothly but are you really being productive or just staying busy? There IS a difference. Busyness will keep you in motion, but knowing what you want and acting on it will keep you moving forward.

Are you making choices based on what you want, or what you think you should do? We often fill our life with the things we think we should do and we don’t take time to consider what it is we really want.

Now, what do you need today? What do you want? Knowing what you want in your life begins with knowing what you want today.

Summertime Follow-up

Autumn officially begins on September 22nd this year. That leaves only four more "summertime" Follow-up Fridays to finish this season strong. I have a list of projects I'd like to finish before the weather turns cold. What about you?

What have you been putting off this summer? Review and update your Follow-up Friday list. Be sure to include the end-of-the season projects and anything else that is "in your space". Remember, the things you leave undone and unsaid consume precious energy and leave you feeling tired and drained.

Follow-up, do what you CAN do and let's win this season together!

Win at Life One Season at a Time

Summer is winding down and fall is fast approaching. How do you feel about the way you've spent your summer months? Are you satisfied? Disappointed? Did you take the time to do some of the things you really wanted to do? It's not too late.

Remember the list I asked you to create last week of the 25 things you wanted to do or would do once you retired or won the lottery? Did you take time to create your list? Did you find this exercise difficult? Did you have trouble coming up with 25 things and only listed 5? Did you blow the whole thing off? Life can slip through our fingers as quickly as the seasons do, and you can win at life one season at a time.

You can win THIS season by making the next few weeks count. Take another look at your list and choose one or two things you can do now, and go do it! If you think you can't afford it, be creative. It is possible to have fun and stay within your budget so don't use your finances as an excuse. Do what you CAN do and enjoy your sweet victories.

Are you winning this season?

Welcome to another Follow-up Friday. At sweetvictories.com we like to break down the year into 4 seasons, and we are halfway into our 3rd season. How is your season going? Have you set some clear goals for yourself based on what is most important to you? Do you still feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to reorient your life around your values? Follow-up Friday is about taking the small consistent steps that will transform your life, overtime. I want to pose one question for you to ponder this week: What is it you are looking forward to doing in your life after you pay your dues, put in your time, retire, etc. In other words, list 25 things you would do if you won the lottery tomorrow. Hold on to this list because we will use it next week. Now follow-up and let's win this season together!

Time to Play

Follow-up Friday is a good day to:

-Make that phone call you've been putting off.
-Say you're sorry.
-Say I love you.
-Clean out that closet.
-Complete a project.
-Review your toleration list.
-Declutter your kitchen drawer.
-Make that appointment to get your eyes checked.
-Visit that friend you've been missing (even if she lives in Phoenix and you have to get on a plane to do it.)
-Get that accounting done.
-Call that recruiter and update your resume.
-Go fishing with your buddies.

Now it's your turn. What will you do today? It's Follow-up Friday today. Don't sit on the bench, get out there and play!

Life is a Team Sport

"All problems exist in the absence of a good conversation." -Thomas Leonard

So much of our life occurs in our head. It's safe there. The problem is that our hopes and dreams can get stuck there and never see the light of day.

Take some time this week to consider your teammates. Who do you turn to when you need to brainstorm? When you need accountability? When you need to vent? When you need a new perspective? When you want to celebrate and share a victory? You may call on different people for different reasons, and you may call on that one special person for everything.

If there is something you really want to accomplish, call on your team. Don't have one? Get one. Life IS a team sport.

What Is Interfering With Your Big Game?

In the game of life you have many roles. You are obviously the player because it is you out there on the playing field carrying the ball. But when Follow-Up Friday comes around, you are also the spectator. You get to step aside and observe your week in review for what worked and what didn’t. As you observe your game this week, here are a few things to consider:

-Have you named your game? In other words, have you defined what winning looks like to you and what you’ll need to do and stop doing to get to the finish line?

-Are you enjoying your game? Do you play with passion? This doesn’t mean that you are in a constant state of joy but do you look forward to getting out of bed each day? Why or why not?

-Do you have the energy to play the game you really want to play? Are there things you want to go for in life but you just can’t seem to get moving? Try keeping a toleration list. This is a list of the things, big and small, that drain your energy. This is not a to-do list but rather a tool for self awareness. Write down ten things that are “getting on your nerves”. Include the drippy faucet, the demanding boss, or the dog that is shedding all over your carpets. Nothing is too big or too small. Keep this list handy and add to it as things occur to you. This will help you acknowledge the things that are zapping your energy. We often get frustrated because we don’t understand why we are feeling so tired. The items on your toleration list are like the fouls and interferences that slow down your game and hinder your progress. Begin to acknowledge these and you’ll clear the way for solutions to naturally occur. Trust me, this works.

In order to win you must be willing to do what you can do each and every day, so follow-up and continue to play full out. And remember, life is a team sport; more on this next week!

Stand Strong for Yourself and Those You Love

“But if I do everything I should do, I won’t have time to do what I shouldn’t.” -Dennis The Menace

Do you spend most of your time doing what you should do and seldom give yourself permission to do what you want to do? Are there things you want to do that you think you shouldn't do?

It can feel so natural to give a big portion of your time and attention to your obligations and to the people you love. There is nothing wrong with being generous but when you continually focus on others while ignoring yourself, you are in danger of burnout and feelings of resentment and irritability. Each Friday you have an opportunity to scan your week and take actions that will strengthen your own personal foundation so that you can continue to stand strong and show up for those you love.

What did you notice about yourself this past week? What activities did you enjoy and want more of? Who did you enjoy spending time with?

Take the following question with you as you step into a new week: If you could choose how to spend your time and energy, what would you choose more of and what would you let go of?

Follow-up and Boost Your Vitality

Are you willing to experience more joy and vitality in your life? And what are you willing to do and stop doing to make this happen?

Follow-up is really about reconnecting with what you really want and then identifying what you need to do and stop doing in order to move in that direction. It doesn't happen overnight but with commitment and consistent action it does happen.

Are you ready to play the Follow-up Friday game?

In the coming week pay attention to what about your life energizes you, and brings you joy and/or peace of mind. Also, begin to notice what activities drain your energy and leave you feeling frustrated, isolated and/or overwhelmed. Once you become aware of how you are responding to your life, you can make empowered choices that will move you in the direction you really want to go. Join me next week as we continue this conversation.

What's Possible with a little Follow-Up?

It’s another amazing follow-up Friday - truly amazing! Today you have an opportunity to keep your promises to yourself and take the actions needed to create the life experience you desire. Here is a question for you to ponder today: What would be possible in your life if you followed through? Whether you want to strengthen your relationship with others or yourself, lose a few (or more) pounds, or create a solid financial foundation you have the power to make it happen. What will you need to do today to stay on track? You still have plenty of time!

What Are Your Attracting?

Take a quick inventory of all of the opportunities that presented themselves this past week, whether you acted on them or not.

Did you receive an invitation to a social event?
Did you read about a local club that peaked your interest?
Did someone close to you attempt to open up to you in conversation but you didn't have time to listen?
Did a co-worker ask for help or support?
Did your neighbor ask you to baby sit and you said yes when you were actually looking forward to a quiet evening alone?

What opportunities and experiences are you attracting into your life each day? How do you decide which ones to say yes to? Your choices about how to spend your life directly affect the quality of your life.

Follow-up on this week's opportunities. If you could go back in time, would you make different choices? How will this awareness affect your choices next week?

Decide WHAT you want, develop a plan, and follow-up.

Reestablish Focus

“The quality of your life is directly related to what you focus on in any given moment.” -Kim Fulcher, Remodel Your Reality. Follow-up requires focus, and focus can be a challenge sometimes. Everyday you make choices about where to focus your time and energy. Once you have a clear picture of WHAT you want, you must plan HOW to get it. Whether you want better relationships, more money or to experience more joy, you are responsible for making your dreams a reality. You also need to have clearly defined priorities to help guide your decisions about where to put your time and energy. Don’t say yes unless you mean it. Take some time today to follow-up on where you are choosing to spend your life and why. This will help you reestablish focus and reenergize your dreams.

Roll Up Your Sleeves

Do you wake up on Monday morning excited about the week ahead or do you feel overwhelmed and frustrated by a schedule crammed full of meaningless activities? How would you like to wake up Monday morning feeling content and satisfied about how you are spending your life? Does this sound too good to be true? With commitment and follow-up you can make this a reality. That is what the Follow-up Friday game offers you. Take some time to identify what areas of your life are lacking and where you need to focus your attention and energy. Follow-up is about rolling up your sleeves and getting to work on making your vision and plan a reality.

Check Your Compass Today

Follow-up Friday is the alarm clock that wakes you up each week and calls you to be accountable for your life. You are given an infinite amount of time each week, and it is up to you to decide how to spend it. Knowing what you want out of life and why is like having a compass that will keep you on the right path. Step back today and review the choices you’ve made this week. Do they support your goals and priorities? If not, you are literally giving your dreams away. Life unfolds one day at a time based on the choices you’ve already made about how to spend your time. You really do chart your own course so stay awake at the wheel this week and use your compass.

Clarity and Consistency is Key

Follow-up sounds simple but is something that most people fail to do. We spend a lot of time and money exploring new ideas and systems to keep us motivated and focused but fail to put what we've learned into practice. Consistent action is more important than the particular system itself and is the key to living the life you want. And it is easy to do once you have direction.

Your to-do list reflects the actions you've committed to. Take a step back from your to-do list and see how it fits into the bigger picture of your life. If you consistently take these actions will you get to where you want to go? Do you know where you want to go? If you have been consistently playing the Follow-Up Friday Game, you will have a list of priorities handy right now. So do you? Can you name your top three priorities? If not, your to-do list may very well be wearing you down.

Your to-do list is like a machine that runs 24/7. It never shuts down. It is you who must take control of your endless list and mold it into actions that move you in the direction you want to go. Stay focused on what you need to do this week to make your life work REALLY well. And remember, you belong on the very top of your to-do list.

Happy Follow-Up Friday!

As you are following up on your to-dos and projects today, take some time to follow-up on your priorities.

Do you find yourself putting important tasks off because you are overwhelmed by your busy schedule? If your to-do list doesn't reflect your priorities, it will keep you frazzled and running in circles. Spend some of your precious time today following up on your priorities. Do you have them clearly defined and written down? If not, I challenge you to take this on.

Get out a piece of paper and write down seven personal priorities and seven professional priorities. Think about what is important to you. On your list of personal priorities you might want to include things like spending time with your spouse and children, and taking time to exercise. Your list of professional priorities might include things like continuing education and following up on leads. Keep in mind that priorities change and this list needs to be updated periodically. This is a simple and powerful exercise and I hope you will take it to heart.

For additional support, I highly recommend the book, Remodel Your Reality by Kim Fulcher.

Make it a habit to follow-up.

Happy Follow-up Friday

As your week comes to an end and you prepare to step into the weekend, take a minute to review your to-do list and notice what isn’t getting done.

Is there an item that is just sitting there and no matter how hard you try it just won’t budge? Ask yourself if this item really needs to get done. It could very well be that the need to accomplish it has expired.

Like old canned goods that get shoved to the back of the pantry, we often keep tasks on our to-do list for too long. Clean out your to-do list today. Don’t leave old items on the shelf. If it really does need to get done then ask for help. Just because it is on your to-do list doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.

Life is a team sport and you need to be able to rely on others to help you win your season.

Make it a habit to follow-up.

Welcome to another Follow-up Friday!
Take some time today to scan your life for unfinished projects, unreturned phone calls and broken promises. This is the unfinished business in your life that consumes you and keeps you playing small.

What's really in your way?

Tolerations are the big and small things in your life that constantly nag and pull at you, whether you are aware of them or not. Tolerations combine together to create noise and clutter in your life that distracts you from following-up on what really matters. For example, a cluttered desk may be in the way of you finishing that big project at work. Old carpet may be in the way of you inviting your dear friends to your home. You may love gardening but are tolerating insufficient tools and yard space. Take some time to list at least ten things you are tolerating today. You don't have to do anything about these tolerations, just acknowledging them will free up some personal energy. Keeping an ongoing list of tolerations is a powerful tool to help you quiet the distractions and keep you focused on what is important to you.

Make it a habit to follow-up on your tolerations!