My Coaching Manifesto 2.0

The seasons have changed since I last wrote. Summer feels like a blur to me. I've been doing lots of personal development work through my holistic coaching group, as it has been a period of transitions ... a series of new moons and full moons through which I've been reviewing what is important to me in my business, and in my life.

The good news is that I had the opportunity to revisit my Coaching / Business Manifesto that I shared earlier in the year. This 2.0 version comes via a second exercise led by my coach, Dawn Copeland, to tease out those factors that excite me and propel me to thrive in my business.

Once again, I'm excited to share this 2.0 version of my Manifesto with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Also, feel free to post a link to your Manifesto if you have one!

Coach Colette - Manifesto 2.0

I am a transformational coach and speaker.

I believe in possibility.

What I know for sure is we can change the world ... together.

I love working with passionate leaders who are doing good in the world.

I dream of the day when the world and our planet is healed.

I was born to speak, heal, and help that to happen.

I've never been happier than when I witness the A-HA moments and see the sparks of light in my clients' eyes.

I feel most alive when I'm speaking and sharing my message of possibility.

I shine when I am serving my tribe within a community of support.

If I had a super power it would be seeing into people's hearts and cutting through the B-S to get to the core issues at hand.

I work best when I have a supportive team and community.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

I can help you go within to reconnect to your purpose and lead your team with compassion and confidence.

My Coaching Manifesto -- Working Draft

Over the years of writing this blog, I've often shared what inspires and motivates me to do what I do: why your health and wellness matters to me; why I personalize my coaching as much as I can; and why my own eco-transformation journey matters.

I recently joined a year-long coaching program for holistic entrepreneurs. Through this program, I've begun working on my Manifesto to capture my business intentions on a broader scale. This is a first draft that I suspect I will edit over time. And, that I'll find a way to make it more visual.

Ready? Here goes!

Coach Colette -- My Manifesto

What I know for sure is I am passionate about people.

I am a dynamic, helpful, relevant, and gifted coach / speaker.

I've never been happier than when I see the smiles on my clients' faces and the light bulbs go on in their A-HA moments.

I dream of traveling the world helping people to thrive.

I was born to succeed, speak and train; and to help others grow.

I shine when I have a team of people who support and believe in me.

I feel most alive when I'm on stage speaking.

If I had a super power, it would be reading minds and seeing into people's hearts.

I work best when I have a team working with me and I have time to think and reflect.

I love traveling, speaking, and training.

I believe in possibility.

I can help you get clear on your goals and big dreams and de-stress about sharing them with others.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

NEW PODCAST: Transform Your Life With One Call--to a Life Coach

Feeling a little frustrated, overwhelmed or stuck? Did you have the BEST intentions at the start of 2015  ... for your career? For your relationship? For your health? For your finances? And, then, LIFE happened! Maybe things have turned out differently than you had hoped, so far. Guess what? That's OK!

Did you know that working with a coach can be the difference between a catastrophe and your comeback! That's what happened to Lee Nazal, best-selling author and founder of SociaVerse Publishing.

Tune in for my interview on iTunes to learn how Lee transformed from being unemployed with only a part-time newspaper delivery job to pay the bills, to becoming an online marketing expert who has generated millions of dollars in revenue for his consulting clients. Also, learn more about our NEW book: Transform Your Life with One Call: America's Top Life Coaches Reveal What You Need to Know.

Tune into the podcast and let me know what you learned. Comment below or tweet me on Twitter -- so we can continue the conversation!

What are the Top Qualities of a Senior Leadership Team?

In this NEW video -- one of a series of six videos I've produced on Teamwork & Motivation -- I share the top 6 characteristics I feel are important for senior leaders like you to develop as you lead your companies and teams into the New Year and today's ever-changing marketplace.

Qualities of a Senior Leadership Team

• Which qualities are most relevant to you? 
• Did you learn these traits 'on-the-job' or acquire them in other ways? 
• What was the most challenging characteristic for you to develop? 

Let me know your thoughts and experiences here in the comments or tweet me on Twitter.

Can a Successful Career Woman Juggle Work, Life & Dating Without Making Sacrifices?

Last Thursday, I participated in a coaching panel sponsored by the City Tech Alumni Association called Today's Woman: Your Life, Career & Outfit to help women define their personal style and boost their confidence.

Source: citytech.cuny.edu via Coach_Colette on Pinterest

We received a number of questions from women at the event about how to navigate their careers, balance work-life commitments, find mentors and just stay motivated! I thought I'd share a few of the questions and my responses here on the blog so that you too can benefit -- and start Q4 off with a bang!

Q: "I recently read an article about women not being able to 'have it all.' How can a successful, young career woman juggle work life and dating without sacrificing one or the other?"

A from Coach Colette:

* Get clear ... and be HONEST about your priorities; and then, don't judge yourself for having them -- in whatever way and in whatever order they show up for you. Your priorities WILL change over time -- figure out what they are for you right now.
* When you choose actions that align with your priorities, you will feel more comfortable and less conflicted, because you are being true to yourself -- working in the direction of your desires, dreams and goals.
* When you choose actions that contradict your priorities, you will feel uncomfortable or even guilty because there is a part of you (deep inside; yes, it's that voice) that realizes you’re not honoring what you truly want.
* Once you've honestly defined your priorities, take a look at your schedule for the last 2 weeks. Does your schedule reflect your priorities; i.e., do you allocate time to the people and the tasks that are most important to you? Whatever answers you learn from reviewing your schedule, again, don't judge -- just observe.
* Set the intention to spend more time with the most important people (e.g., family, friends, significant other, or whomever you choose), and to start spending more time working on the most important activities that you find valuable and that contribute to your priorities. In the beginning, you may only be able to make small changes in your schedule, and that's OK. In Covey speak, we call that living "above the line" -- starting to focus more of your attention on activities and people that are important to you and your goals.
* Minimize time you spend on non-important activities (e.g., putting out fires or responding to interruptions) and avoid potential "time wasters" or excessive "escape" activities -- the time wasters and escape activities are different for everyone; figure out what they are for you.
* And, perhaps most important, as you begin to make these changes, talk to the most important people in your life, including the person you're dating, who will be affected by changes in how you will spend your time -- don't do this in a vacuum, share your reasoning and let them know why you're making the changes. Let them know how it can benefit them as you become more fulfilled and excited about what's going on in your life.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my suggestions. What's your take on "having it all?" What have you tried to keep a good balance between your business/career and your personal interests?

Comment here on the blog or tweet me on Twitter. And, keep an eye out as I answer more career and life questions from the discussion.

Keep a Photo Journal to Reduce Your Stress

Did you know that journaling can help reduce stress? Studies have shown that journal writing has led to reduced anxiety, worry and depression.

Yet, sometimes even words aren't enough to fully express your emotions, thoughts -- let alone to fully document your goals or vision. Like they say ... a picture is worth 1,000 words!

Wouldn't it be great to have a site that allowed you to photo journal your goals and start your vision board?

I'm so excited to let you know about a NEW photo journal and vision board tool created by ShutterCal!

ShutterCal is an online, calendar-based daily photo journal (and vision board!).

As a coach, I think it's really important to keep track of your goals, intentions, and life vision -- for your own accountability and to get support from your network of champions and advisers.

Let's say you've set a goal in the next 30 days to lose 10 pounds, or to get physically active at least 4 days per week, or to meet 15 new people to expand your network, or to do ANYTHING that's important to you!

You can use your photo-a-day journal to track your goals in a creative and FUN way. It just means taking a moment each day to:

• STOP
• BREATHE
• NOTICE SOMETHING
• TAKE A PHOTO

ShutterCal will keep your photo journal / vision board organized. The ShutterCal community will keep you inspired with comments and feedback. And, through your daily photos, you will watch your story unfold into something truly amazing!

Deepak Chopra says: "Whatever you pay attention to will grow more important in your life." Use ShutterCal to pay attention to something you care about -- and create a visual timeline of your best moments!

Check out the site and let me know in the comments area below what you think -- and share your link when you sign up so I can watch your story unfold!

PS -- since the ShutterCal team and I are all LEAN Startup Weekend graduates, I'm able to offer you a 5% discount on their digital membership and a 10% discount on their print membership!!

How Do You Define Success? Find a NEW Way July 16

Have you ever asked yourself: "What does success mean to me?" or "How do I measure my success in life?"

The answers that shape your reality in today's New Normal may be much different than the answers would have been in the past. This process of self-exploration may be more challenging as our paradigms continue to shift and we find that our old definitions of success and leadership don't serve us in quite the same way anymore.

The GOOD NEWS is that you can get access to experts and resources to help guide you on your journey towards your unique, wonderful definition of success!

My colleague, Kate Siner Francis, founder of the Life Fulfillment Formula and the Larger Visions non-profit, is presenting the World Changing Success Summit from July 16-27. Each of the 12 teleseminars will teach you skills and lead you to insights aimed at answering your most important questions about how to improve your leadership abilities and realize your vision all the while feeling empowered to do so.

The best part – it's FREE to register! Listen in from wherever you are by phone or on your computer. It's just that easy!

The World Changing Success Summit brings together visionaries and leaders like YOU, and the helping professionals who want to find a heartfelt answer to what will bring you more satisfaction and joy in your life. These experts include Suzanne Evans (on Authentic Marketing), Anne Merkel (on Balancing Mind-Body-Spirit) and Gayle Joplin Hall (on Busting FEAR). You will be taught powerful tools and essential skills that will help you:

● Lead from a more empowered place
● Effectively deal with conflict or other work challenges
● Create more prosperity in your life and business
● Inspire yourself!
● Collaborate and partner most effectively for your vision
● Clearly see how you get stuck and how to get free

I'm so excited to be a part of the incredible line-up of 12 fantastic speakers who are ready to help you make the difference you were born to make. My session is Reconnect to Your Purpose: The Benefit of Doing Less with More. We're all sharing powerful and practical tools to create the life you have always wanted to live! There is no other time than NOW.

Mark your calendar and sign up now because this amazing event starts July 16th. Join us for the World Changing Success Summit! Learn from these master teachers and creative experts how to flourish living the life you were meant to live!

Have a Major Breakthrough in Results on September 13

Have you been working hard to achieve results this year, yet things aren't happening as fast as you'd like? Are you ready for a major BREAKTHROUGH?

Join me on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 7 pm ET for a special, NO-COST Preview Session for my Reconnect to Your Purpose & Get RE-Focused Group Coaching Program. On this call, you will create a crystal-clear vision of your ultimate success and perfect lifestyle. You'll get re-energized and inspired to create a powerful, results-driven plan that helps you get things done and still have a flourishing personal life.

This call is especially for women entrepreneurs, leaders, and managers who want to overcome fear, regret, setbacks, or struggle in your business and other career-related endeavors -- to give yourself the space, time and permission to reconnect with your passion and enthusiasm for life!

Know that I'm rooting for you and look forward to hearing you on the special Preview Session on Tuesday, September 13!

Coach Colette Gets 'Savvy' About Self-Awareness

Here is a video featuring my appearance on Brooklyn Savvy TV to discuss ideas in my Focus on Your Vision eBook. Watch as show host and co-executive producer Toni Williams, along with her Savvy panel of women, prompt me to share tips on how you can become more self-aware, flip the script on your negative inner dialogue to help you achieve your BIGGEST dreams.



Brooklyn Savvy allows viewers to participate in substantive and intimate conversations about issues that impact women. Conversations are reminiscent of what you'd have with a close group of friends -- led by a panel of culturally, ethnically diverse of women who share their own insights, perspectives and challenges.

Brooklyn Savvy shows air every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month on Cablevision 69, Time Warner 56, RCN 84 and Verizon 44 in New York City.

Leaders: How Do You Keep Team Members Motivated & Engaged?

How do you keep your team members motivated and engaged? The question is an important one for team leaders and managers to consider, especially since U.S. job satisfaction is apparently at its lowest point in two decades. And, this employee dissatisfaction appears to go beyond the survivor guilt often associated with employees who observe their friends and colleagues lose their jobs.

Source:

I Can’t Get No...Job Satisfaction, That Is: America’s Unhappy Workers

Research Report #1459-09-RR

The Conference Board

I share this information not to alarm you, but to help you consider the potential impact on you and your team.

Here are two questions for you to consider as you refine your goals and priorities for this quarter and during the year:

• Do individual team member objectives align with the overall priorities? Identifying and mapping individual objectives to team/organizational goals can give team members a “line of sight” from their role and responsibilities to the greater purpose of the organization. It also helps to level-set expectations so that everyone is on the same page about what’s being expected.
• How do you reward performance? If your messaging indicates that achieving team goals are important, and yet your incentives tend to reward individual performers more, there could be a disconnect. This isn't to say that you shouldn't reward high-achievers; just make sure you're walking your talk and clearly communicating what are your performance expectations.

As a leader, one of your priorities might be to create the right environment for your members to succeed – and exceed their goals. My priority is to continue sharing compelling ideas and strategies to help you and your team to achieve sustainable results in 2010 and beyond.

I’d love if you would share your 2010 team building intentions with me. I've created a Team Building & Visioning Survey to understand which issues are most important to you as a leader. As a thank you for your input, I'll share a free recording of our last Laser Focus Team Visioning teleseminar. As always, post your comments here or tweet me @Coach_Colette.

Words of Thanks from Coach Colette

In honor of the season and Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I'd share my thoughts on people and things for which I'm thankful.

• I am thankful for my family - especially my parents who have given me love, encouragement and support throughout my life. The dinner I'm cooking only scratches the surface at my love at gratitude to you both.
• I am thankful for my friends - many of whom are not "local" to my area. But know that I'm glad for our connection.
• I am thankful for my health - I've felt a few more "creaks" in the joints; but overall, thanks to the body that enabled me to travel the country this year -- often on less sleep and nourishment than it deserved!
• I am thankful for my talents and abilities - touches on the core mission of my company to help others recognize their greatness -- I'm glad for my skills (including those I've not yet surfaced).
• I am thankful for my business - a vehicle to help fulfill my life purpose.
• I am thankful for my home - even when I'm stir crazy on those "in-office" days, I'm aware of how lucky I am to have a warm safe place to live.
• I am thankful for all the "right" people with the "right" energy I've met - along the way, on the journey ...

AND ...

I am grateful for the opportunity to express these thoughts and share positive energy with YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours!

Finding "Me Time" in Salt Lake City

Greetings from Salt Lake City! I'm here conducting leadership training as part of my exciting new project with the Public Library Association. Over the next several weeks, I'll be helping public librarians and trustees across the country build their confidence and enthusiasm for advocacy to help fuel their efforts to increase local library funding . The event, Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community is a unique leadership development program created by PLA.

My goal is to share with you insights and ideas I gather from participants in my various sessions on enhancing project leadership; creating compelling stories; and making impactful presentations.

Some of you may remember that this isn't my first visit to Salt Lake. Back in February 2006, I visited the area on another business trip. In that post, I talked about how a change in scenery can be motivating. While I haven't had as much time to wander the city, I did feel a sense of calm as I entered the region on the plane -- the view of the mountains really has a calming effect on me.

In a recent enhancing project leadership session, we discussed the characteristics of effective leaders. After we'd developed a very comprehensive list of qualities and traits on the flipchart, one participant raised her hand and said "time for self." When I prompted her to share more, she reminded us all of how important it is for leaders to find time when we're not representing or speaking on behalf of anyone or any organization. It reminded me of our ongoing challenge to "unplug" and relax in our ever-connected world. By nature, librarians are so giving and helpful. I'm glad she was able to give herself permission to create some space for me-time.

I'm excited to share more tidbits and nuggets I gather from the library leaders and their supporters. The energy and participation levels have been great! Next week, I'll be visiting Wichita, Kansas for the first time! Until then, take care and find some me-time this weekend!

I'm Speaking at MLK Celebration on January 30

I'm truly honored to be the keynote speaker at a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being held next Wednesday, January 30 at the Marriott in Bridgewater, NJ. The event is sponsored by the African Heritage Diversity Committee of HSBC Bank, USA.


The theme of the event is Share the Dream, Live the Reality -- Through Motivation, Leadership and Diversity.


In addition to being an opportunity to "practice what we preached" in our Public Speaking course for the OBT trainees, it's an exciting chance to reflect on how Dr. King's message is still relevant, thought-provoking and inspirational. If you're in the NY metro area, I'd be delighted if you can join us. Or, feel free to write or leave a comment on our message line about how Dr. King has helped you discover your competent advantage!

More Thoughts on Staying Motivating at Work

On Wednesday, I was on the Martha Stewart LIVING show on Sirius Radio 112. I had a BLAST chatting with Career Talk host Maggie Mistal about ways to stay motivated in the office. People called in from as far away as Indiana!

We talked about motivation from both the employee and manager perspective. Today, I wanted to share my TOP 3 Strategies for Managers to Motivate their Employees:

1. Set appropriate expectations – as you create job descriptions and define project responsibilities. Give people a “line of sight” on how what they do contributes to your company’s success. People want to see where their jobs might take them. Help your employees see the internal career paths so you don’t lose their intellectual capital to your competitors!
2. Keep communication lines open – Talk with your employees to find out how they’re doing on a regular basis, not just during annual performance discussions.
3. Use creative incentives – Effective incentives can include non-monetary recognitions of a "job well done," such as a feature in the company newsletter, or an opportunity to represent your team or company at a special event.

Thanks, again, to Maggie for having me on her show! :-)

Reminder: Get Sirius about Your Career on March 15th!

Just a quick reminder that TOMORROW, March 15th at 6:00 PM EST, I’ll be on Martha Stewart LIVING Sirius Channel 112. I’ll be a guest on the Career Talk show sharing tips on staying motivated in your career exploration.

As a preview, I’d like to share my TOP 5 Strategies for staying motivated in the workplace:

1. Recruit the right team: surround yourself with people who both support and challenge you. This can be a mix of people you work with, friends, family or other colleagues. Pick the RIGHT PEOPLE and you’ll get the RIGHT ENERGY!
2. Create the right environment: figure out where in your office you are most productive. This might be at your desk, in a conference room or the cafeteria. When you need to focus on a task, go to that space to heighten your concentration. If you have less flexibility to move around, envision a FUN WORKSPACE, then CREATE IT!
3. Plan for small successes: “chunk” your projects and goals into short-term objectives. That way, you’ll have little WINS to celebrate along the way.
4. Build rewards into your work plan: celebrate as you achieve your short-term objectives. Remember to value your accomplishments, even as you plan ahead for future endeavors.
5. Do the work: find a way to get started. Start with an aspect of the task that you enjoy or that is simple to complete. Then, work your way up to the less pleasing, more challenging aspects. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll be done – “just do it!”

What do you think? Post your questions and comments here, or call into the show TOMORROW at: 866-675-6675.

Colette gets “Sirius” about Career Development on March 15th!

SAVE THE DATE!

On Wednesday, March 15th at 6:00 PM Eastern, I’ll be on Martha Stewart Living Radio revealing tips on how to stay motivated during your career exploration.

You will have three ways to ask me questions and share your experiences:

1. CALL IN to the show at 1-866-675-6675
2. POST your question here in the Competent Advantage TM community
3. EMAIL your question to me at info@instepconsulting.com

If I answer your question or share your story on the air, I'll be sure to keep the source confidential unless you tell me otherwise.

If you’re not already a Sirius satellite radio customer, you can sign up for a FREE TRIAL at: http://www.sirius.com/WhatIsIt/TryIt

Hope to chat with you on March 15th!

Get Motivated with a Quick Change in Scenery

View of Salt Lake City landscape from The Garden at Temple Square (2/2/2006)

In the Competent Advantage TM workshop, we ask: If you had a completely free day, what would you do?

We ask that you reflect on your "free day fantasies" as a first step to discovering your personal motivators and drives. A key goal of the program is to help you align your role/function with your motivators to create opportunities for career success.

"So, what does this have to do with Salt Lake City?", you may ask. Well, a change in scenery often can be motivational. I had the opportunity to visit Salt Lake yesterday on business. I didn't have a completely "free day;" but, I did have time to enjoy my view of the Wasatch mountain range during my lunch break. I walked away from the trip rejuvenated -- open space and great landscapes just do that for me!

How does this align with my career/business?

1. I am determined to explore ways to develop additional business west of the Mississippi
2. And, I took advantage of a new technology -- mobile blogging -- to share this picture with you!

How will you leverage your "free day fantasies"?

PS -- I sent this message using PIX-FLIX Messaging service from Verizon Wireless! To learn how you can snap pictures with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix.

It's Back to School Time ...

coWe all know what September means -- even if we're not actually in school anymore. It's time to hit the books, so to speak. The hazy, lazy days of summer are over; and it's time to get back on top of our respective games.

I must admit to a little end-of-summer blues myself. However, much as I relished posting audio blogs to you from the beach, I am excited about the new things in store for Fall 2005.

1. COMING SOON: "What's Your Competent Advantage?"TM goes LIVE! I'll be conducting workshops in conjunction with the upcoming launch of the KIP Learning Center. Keep an eye out here or visit their website for dates and registration information.
2. My company is launching a new employee orientation program called Getting Onboard! It's designed to help people like you (as you get new, exciting jobs!) to navigate the waters so you can truly exhibit your skills and talents once hired. Help me to "create a buzz" about the program -- check out the description on our website.

I would be remiss if I did not share my regards and prayers to those who have been affected by Katrina and its aftermath. I know we each are trying to do our part to support and assist. At the bottom right of this site, there is now a direct link to the American Red Cross website.

Not to say that anyone needs additional motivation to assist, but perhaps mobilizing a volunteer effort at one's job or school on behalf of Katrina survivors may be a way to "step out of a comfort zone" to demonstrate one's leadership and project management abilities ... Just a thought.

My best regards to you all!