Winning Strategies

We Arrive in Costa Rica

It has been a tremendously long day.  We got up at 3AM and left for the airport.  We flew from DFW to Miami.  It was a 2 hour and 45 minute flight.  In Miami we waited 2 hours for our flight to San Jose and then spent another 2 hours and 45 minutes on that plane.

Then, as if we didn't already feel like we were starring in 'planes, trains, and automobiles'- we got into a car and drove for 3 1/2 hours to arrive at the Tabacon Hotel (http://www.tabacon.com/l).  Feeling a little tired of travel, we went immediately to the Hot Springs and swam in the warm spring water coming from the base of the volcano.  The water poured down on us and felt amazing.  Our tired bodies were ready for a refreshing wash in the spring water.

My blackberry isn't working, so I have no connection to work and no cell phone coverage.  I haven't decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing (laugh).  Note to family and friends, if you need me, you will have to email me at my personal email address, or send me a message via my web site (www.bethanywilliams.org).

The Kids, The Bills, The Dog, Work and More Work

Wow- life sometimes seems to gang up on you and suddenly you realize that overwhelmed is the best word to describe how you feel. Responsibilities hang in mid-air all around you and some days all you can think about is what you may have forgotten to do.

Right when you think you may have it handled, one of the kids injure themselves and you are back into the stress zone- full force.

Thousands of balls are 'up in the air' and you visualize them all bouncing around you like a room full of out of control tennis balls. Boing boing boing...

Many of you are dealing with aging parents and that adds another level of stress and 'To Do's' onto your already long list.

So what is the solution? How we stop the madness? I have found that there is only one answer. Write me if you'd found another one (I can't wait to add it to my To Do list) (grin). You are human. Occasionally you must rest. You need to take a much needed break. Relax for a few days and recapture the 'I am in control' feeling that has slipped away from you. Let yourself escape responsibilities and tasks for a time.

You know what I hear from many of you frequently? It is too hectic at work for me to take time off. My answer: There is not always a good time at work to take time off. Often companies are hectic all the time. They will have higher attrition if their employees (YOU) don't figure out how to have life balance while working there!

So- my advice? Plan some time off! Kick back. Think about something fun. Dream. You do that and I promise to do the same.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Book by Sylvia Lafair- Don't Bring it to Work

Sylvia Lafair is a woman to admire.  I had the opportunity to meet with her over the phone the other day and I am greatly inspired.  She is a woman that is doing what she loves.  She is author of Don't Bring it to Work, and she teaches leadership training classes in Pennsylvania (http://www.sylvialafair.com/).  Her perspective is refreshing and real.

From her web page, "Dr. Sylvia Lafair's leadership programs, consulting, and coaching, based on her successful book "Don't Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns that Limit Success", offer the way OUT of the swirling, spiraling sensitivities that cause team conflict, low moral, and high blood pressure."   

She believes that the patterns that we learned in our family growing up are the ones that we bring into our organizations.   I believe this to be true.  I am inspired by Sylvia as she uses her gifts to bring clarity and productivity to organizations.  She is doing what she loves, and helping others in the process.  She has learned how to use her gifts and she uses them on a daily basis.  Let Sylvia inspire you to live your best life!

That's Not My Job

The #1 thing that I can say about the successful women that I mentor and interview is that they are unconcerned with 'their job' and more concerned with COMPANY SUCCESS, efficiency, smooth processes, and high productivity.

They seem to not get caught up in worries about their job, my job or your job and neither should you.

That's really just ego talking. You can stand out from the crowd, rise up the ladder, and be successful, by being willing to do what needs to get done to make the company and your entire team succeed.

Try to focus more on RESULTS and less on components of the work on the road to that success that you do not want to do. I promise you that it will payoff in the long run.

Living Life Like There's No Tomorrow

I've been getting a fair amount of razzing that I am soon about to head off on a vacation- on the tails of my trip to Bora Bora ---and ------usually--these two aren't so close together. But- with Brandon's football practice and the firm schedule (it is easier to take days around the fourth of July)- we are heading off on some family time.

Yes-tis true. I live life like there may be no tomorrow. I try to spend lots of time in the present- hanging out with my hsband and kids and enjoying the phases that they are in. Tomorrow is not promised to us-- and our jobs are usually only temporary- fulfilling somewhere between 3-10 years of our lives. And the average is coming down on job tenure.

So- where does that leave us? Usually we spend so much time planning and saving for a tomorrow that may never come. We plan for vacations at 'retirement' that we may or may not be healthy enough to take. We live for tomorrow when today is passing us by.

 

So- for me- I plan to live today. I plan to be 'in the moment'. I plan to savor each minute that life has to offer. And that means- family vacation time. Smile . I encourage each of you to do the same.

What is Your Dream Job?

I was recently filling out a form that asked two key questions:

1) What is your dream job? Followed by

2) Why aren't you doing it?

It made me think...why don't we follow through and work towards ending up in our dream jobs? Do we give up before we even start? Do we accept mediocrity in our lives when it could be so much more?

New 'Gel' Manicures Designed for the Busy Woman in Need of More Time

Finally, they have developed a technology to save me valuable time on my manicures. There is a new 'gel' polish that lasts 3 weeks. I stopped into Posh Nail Salon (http://www.poshnail.com) on McKinney Avenue today in Dallas, Texas for a gel polish on my nails. It is a 'thicker' polish that doesn't chip and it is designed to last 3 weeks. As a way too-busy executive like MANY of you- this is music to my ears!

Kelly did a fabulous job on my 'gel' manicure. Find a salon near you that offers the new 'gel' manicure and save yourself a little time on your calendar.

Now if they could only make a clean house last 3 weeks. Laugh

Are You Willing to Get Up, Stand Up, and Run After Your Dreams?

It takes effort, energy and participation to run after your dreams. I recently heard a statistic that out of work people are spending their time watching TV and sleeping in-- not exercising and following educational dreams as we might hope. Why is that? The battle to success and accomplishment starts in your head. You have to believe that you can get there.

Step 1: Believe
Without believing, we don't do the physical tasks necessary to catapult us into our dreams. If we can't believe and dream, how can we get others to believe in us? Our beliefs and ability to visualize ourselves succeeding is the first step to running after your dreams.

Step 2: Take Action
The next step is to take action. Simply put one foot in front of the other. Call someone and ask advice, someone who has 'arrived' where you'd like to go. If you are an amazing singer- the physical piece would maybe involve a tryout for American Idol, recording something at a studio, or singing at your church. Each of these 'physical steps' will not occur if you don't try- act- and DO!

If you are unhappy at your job and always wanted to work another position, then apply for other positions and seek some good mentors to help you along the path.

Step 3: Never Give Up
It will take several steps to get you where you want to go. Life is a journey. Never give up on your dreams. They will morph and change- but always move forward towards the direction that you want to go.

Success happens one step at a time. Start towards it today if you haven't already.  If you are marching towards it, continue to march ahead.

Accepting Feedback

 Let's face it- the way you see yourself is probably NOT the way others see you. You may think of yourself as friendly and helpful- others may see you as aggressive and too assertive. You may think of yourself as creative and idea generating- others may see you as closed and 'stuck in the box'. You may think of yourself as a great coach, and others may see you as militant.

It pays to listen to feedback and incorporate that feedback into your approach. Listening to constructive criticism allows you to react to the feedback and revise your actions and reactions accordingly. If you are not getting that critical feedback, seek it out to insure that you continuously improve your image, brand and effectiveness. Strive for constant improvement. We all have room to improve. Don't let the distaste of the criticism keep you from requesting it. Not knowing how you are perceived could be a dangerous place to be.

PS- Thank you to my support system that gives me the open feedback that I need.  Love ya!

The Evolution of Communication

Heather and I were reminiscing my early travel days. I was traveling the globe in an international strategy position pre-cell phones (at least I didn't have one). We wrote each other notes and made folders to hold the notes that we wrote each other. When we did talk on the phone (the old trusty LAN line) we paid close attention to what was said- these were priceless words that we didn't hear very often and an opportunity that was a rare privilege.

I can't help but think that we have desensitized communication. Phone calls happen SO FREQUENTLY. Are you truly listening to what is said when you are the phone? Are you holding on to each word? If you are texting, do you save or print the texts to read 10-20 years from now. Of course not. I love reading old letters. It reminds me of where the relationship was at that point in time. It gives me perspective and reminds me of things I've forgotten. I can fall in love with my husband all over again by reading old letter he's written me or laugh my butt off reading a note from one of the kids when they were smaller.

I think we should re-adopt an occasional hand written letter. We will cherish and keep them for years to come. They will brighten a day for us in 10 years or longer. It will become a collectible. Let's face it- there aren't many of them around. Pen a letter to someone you love today. Give it to them with a 'memory' box to keep it in. Enjoy!

PS.  I just realized the irony in the fact that I write most of my blogs today on a Blackberry sitting in line at the grocery store or at Starbucks.  Using new technology, my Blackberry can electronically upload images and text to my Typepad account.  It is really quite amazing. 

Years ago, it would have been impossible to have a phone at either location. Now it is the norm and it allows me to blog- - - WHILE I'm living life- and trying to be an executive, working, way too busy mother of three, wife, writer, and blogger....ha- it all seems a tad bit ironic.