Category Archives: Boosting Creativity, Productivity & Effectiveness
Ringing in the New Year: Why Looking Back is as Vital as Looking Ahead
There is something magical about being at the threshold of a new year.
It’s like climbing to the top of a long staircase to find yourself on a landing, standing before a large glimmering door just waiting to be opened. As you look down, you realize how far you have climbed to get here. Yet, you cannot help but wonder what lies behind the door.
Often, we underestimate the amount of growth we have achieved.
It’s important to take some time to reflect on the unique combination of experiences that have led to both successes and disappointments and the learnings that have accompanied them. Doing so cultivates insight that helps you know what to do in the future.
I often work with people who feel ready for a change but aren’t sure what that change should be. They aren’t necessarily miserable in their jobs or other areas of their lives – they just long for something that will fill them up in ways they haven’t been fulfilled in the past.
When I coach people who feel this way, they sometimes want me to tell them what the next best step is – to give them the answer or a step-by-step process that will lead them to find what they seek. Of course, no person has these answers for another. Our greatest challenge and opportunity is to find them for ourselves.
Each of our lives has a story with perfect order and meaning.
As in a novel or screenplay, each character has a unique relationship to the main character, and every scene has some relevance to his growth and evolution. There will be victories and disappointments as well as twists and turns.
We will have occasion to laugh, cry, and experience a myriad of other emotions that are somewhere in between. And as a result of this perfect combination of events and mini-plots, we discover ourselves to be better people.
When reading a book or watching a movie, the perfect order is often easier to see than it is for the characters enmeshed in the stories we are watching. Yet, the mystery and intrigue, the humor over each misstep, and the courage we see the characters exude to find their way give substance to the story and allow us to leave the book or the theatre feeling moved or inspired in some way.
As you reflect on 2024, can you identify your story’s most pivotal turns? What did you learn from them? Think about your character sketch. What are the endearing qualities you have that make you unique and special? How can you leverage them to build on the previous events to create a story worth telling?
Think also about the people that surround you. In what ways are they helping you grow? What are they teaching you about yourself – whether in joyful or painful ways? And what qualities do they possess that are similar to and different from yours? How do you complement each other, and what might it be that you can create together?
You now sit at the threshold of another chapter in your story.
Contemplate what you have already experienced and ask yourself how you might build upon it to add a bit of intrigue and adventure. Identify the ways that you could add a little lightness and humor. Think about the interplay between the characters and how you could spice things up a little.
We have each been given the makings of a beautiful tale. Open your eyes and survey them the way you would the perfectly planned detail of your favorite movie or novel. Give yourself completely to the adventure, the possibilities, and the humor in your life.
Then find a way to revel in the joy of living it.
Here’s to a bright, beautiful New Year!
For more on reveling in the adventure that is your life, check out The Pinocchio Principle: Becoming a Real Leader, available in both paperback and Kindle formats.
How to Transform Overwhelm and Frustration into Enthusiasm and Engagement
Imagine finding yourself face down on the concrete being pummeled by some kind of hard object every thirty seconds or so.
You’re agitated and a little resentful – and you may feel like a bit of a victim.
And then suppose you lift your head and notice that the concrete you are lying on is green. Widening your view, you see that the objects being hurled at you are tennis balls. And they are coming from a machine that is firing them over a net. As you continue to look around, you notice there is a racket within arm’s reach.
And then you remember – ah yes, I signed up to learn how to play tennis.
Getting better at anything is a decision that you make to be in the game.
It’s easy to forget that the game you’re playing is one you chose for yourself when those balls are coming at you full speed, one after the other. But the simple shift of mind that comes from feeling like a victim of your circumstances to someone who has willingly stepped onto the court is one that makes all the difference in the world.
Think of anything in life you feel like you “have to” or “should” do. More than likely with that frame of mind, it will feel heavy and cumbersome. But find something about that same activity that you want or care deeply about, and suddenly everything gets a little lighter.
You find reserves you didn’t think we had. You rise to the occasion. You notice the racket that lies within your grasp and begin to use it to hit some of those balls.
The more you play, the better you get.
Granted, a few balls may slip here and there. And you may hit some in directions that don’t go anywhere near where you intended them to. But the less you care about needing to get it perfect, the more likely it is you’ll want to play the game.
And the more you play, the more of those balls you’ll be able to return.
The more of those balls you’re able to return, the higher your confidence.
And the higher your confidence, the easier and more fun the game gets.
Rest assured, there will be days when it feels like you are being pummeled. But perhaps the reason those balls come at you harder and faster is because you are ready to advance to a whole new level – one that allows you see what you’re really made of. And maybe, just maybe – the only thing you really need to focus on is showing up and being willing to play.
Game on!
The thrill of the game – in work and life
If you’ve ever played video games, you know that the fun is advancing to the next level.
Overcoming the obstacles thrown at you unlocks new features, brings new adventures and leads you to get better at playing the game.
The same is true in life, especially at work.
You likely have ideas, dreams and visions that call to you – whether advancing your career, launching a new project, or making a bigger difference. Every day gives you a new opportunity to reach a little higher and get a little closer.
What if you could approach your personal and work challenges with the same enthusiasm and vigor you might bring to advancing to the next level in a video game?
In real life it’s far too easy to get lured into playing small and staying where you’re at. We don’t intend to do that, of course. Our intentions are often grand. But a myriad of reasons keep us from acting on them.
- We don’t give ourselves permission to dream big (and to pursue those dreams)
- We’re too busy doing things that could/should really be delegated to others
- We don’t know where (or how) to start
- We fear we don’t have what it takes (and stay in our comfort zones instead)
- We’re waiting for the right opportunity (instead of creating one)
- We worry there’s too much to lose if we “fail” (and forget what’s at stake if we don’t try)
Anytime you endeavor to do anything worthwhile, you will meet with resistance.
And while this resistance may take the form of actual obstacles, often it’s our own fear that is the most formidable of them. Because this fear makes the roadblocks appear much more imposing and immovable than they really are.
The good news is that any obstacle you impose upon yourself is within your power to overcome. You must simply decide what you want is more important than your fear. Acting on that courage unlocks something within yourself in much the same way that advancing to the next level of a video game gives you superpowers you didn’t have at the previous level.
It’s true that you have a lot more to lose in real life than you do in video games, but most of the things people are afraid of are far less likely and impactful than the consequences of holding out on the visions and dreams most precious to them.
That’ll kill you silently over time and suck the joy out of living.
A funny thing happens when you muster up the courage to act despite your fear, doubts and resistance. You gain the confidence and competence necessary to respond to challenges in ways you never thought you could, and the resilience to bounce back from any setback and start again.
And you learn and accomplish things that dramatically improve the quality of your own life as well as everyone around you.
Once you learn to work through your fear and other obstacles, you inspire others to do the same.
Every great accomplishment is a result of someone moving through their resistance to go beyond what they’ve done before and achieve what many never dreamed possible.
Let purpose reignite your progress
Have you ever had a really hard time getting something done? Something big?
When you’re up against a large task or project, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the details and magnitude of what is before you. And when the project you’re working on requires you to do something new and uncomfortable, it often elicits fear, frustration, and anxiety.
In what is often an unconscious attempt to regain control, we are easily lulled into doing things that we know will be easier and potentially more enjoyable.
Some tasks don’t really need to get done right now (or ever) or should really be delegated to others, but we often prefer those. And then there are the popular time-wasters: surfing the web, making idle conversation, cleaning out your inbox, or my personal favorite – making more lists of everything you think must get done and identifying all the steps you need to take.
That is actually a great thing to do when you’re focused, but in procrastination mode, it becomes planning to plan (and then plan some more) until you have a rock-solid strategy that you never actually execute.
It may feel like you are spinning your wheels – running faster than ever but not getting anywhere.
To break out of that crazy cycle, take some time to revisit your purpose or the larger mission or goal behind what you are doing.
- Get clear about what (or who) the work is for.
- Identify how it will improve the quality of life for yourself or those around you.
- Reflect on the degree to which it will contribute to something greater or allow you to achieve a meaningful goal.
Write it down.
Add to it as you think of additional bonuses. Then, sit for a moment and see if you can envision what it would feel like to satisfy that larger purpose, vision, or goal. See if you can feel it so clearly that you are actually grateful for it.
This simple act will help you reconnect with something inside you that will propel you beyond the minutia. It will give you the courage and strength to walk through your fear or resistance to do something you may not be so good at yet. And it will help you to get back to the joy that comes through the process as well as the attainment of the end goal.
When you approach things this way, all you do will be instilled with a new energy – one that uplifts, delights, and inspires.
Whatever you experience as you work on a project will be what people feel when they partake of the fruit of your efforts. The more you remember this, the more you’ll experience the satisfaction and gratification of having done something truly meaningful that lifts you out of the humdrum and into a place of brilliance.
And all who encounter your work will be better off because of it.
Make the most of your mishaps
We all experience our share of mishaps. But with patience and ingenuity, you can turn those setbacks into springboards. This video provides 3 examples of how it’s done. It marks the last day in the countdown to the kickoff of The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track launching on 9/20.It’s an excerpt from one of the video lessons in the program.
If you’re thinking about attending, it’s not too late to register. Get more information and save your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. For alumni or group enrollment, email us at Support@DianeBolden.com.
How to keep life’s obstacles from stopping you
Imagine that you’re cruising along in your car headed smoothly toward your destination. And then traffic slows to a stop.
Is there an accident ahead? Construction? Some other impediment?
No worries. Your GPS has an alternate route that’ll get you exactly where you need to go.
What if you could find your way around life’s roadblocks with the same ease and efficiency as your GPS system?
You can!
The video below will show you how. It marks Day 2 in the countdown to the kickoff of The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track launching on 9/20…
It’s an excerpt from one of the video lessons in the program. If you’re thinking about attending, it’s not too late to register. Get more information and save your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. For alumni or group enrollment, email us at Support@DianeBolden.com.
Are you on autopilot?
The beauty of a habit is that it allows you to take automatic action without thinking all that much about it. Unfortunately, that is also the DOWNSIDE.
More about that in this video – which marks Day 4 in the countdown to the kickoff of The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track launching on 9/20…
This week, pay attention to what automatic behaviors and patterns you are falling into, and notice to what degree they are helping or hindering you.
If you’d like some support unlearning old habits and patterns and swapping them out for something more aligned with your desired results, consider joining me the next seven Fridays from 1 to 2:30 pm EDT for The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track.
The program is a compilation of tools, techniques and approaches my most successful executive coaching clients have utilized over the years. It’s designed to help high achieving (and often overextended) executives rise above old habits and patterns and lead from a Genius mindset.
In addition to the group meetings, the program includes lifetime access to seven modules of video and audio content and bonus access to my Navigating Change, Challenge & Uncertainty self-study.
Get more information and save your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. For alumni or group enrollment, email us at Support@DianeBolden.com.
5 Phases for Unleashing Genius
Sometimes growth presents itself in ways that make us uncomfortable. The things that used to work may no longer be effective (and in some cases begin to work against you). You begin to recognize a desire within yourself for something more – more meaning, more fulfillment, more connection, more impact… and perhaps a whole new way of experiencing your work and your life.
I believe these are signs that you’re ready to more fully live from that wiser, greater part of yourself that I like to call Genius.
To mark Day 9 in countdown to the kickoff of The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track launching on September 20, I wanted to share the Five Phases of Unleashing Genius that I teach in the program.
It all starts with awareness and desire. Watch the video to learn how to navigate each of these five phases to move confidently toward what you most want in your work and your life.
And if you’d like more support, consider joining me in this 7-week leadership development program, designed to help high-achieving (and often overextended) executives break out of limiting habits and patterns and lead from a Genius mindset.
It’s a compilation of approaches, techniques and tools that my most successful executive coaching clients have utilized over the years. Through a combination of video and live training and coaching, you’ll learn to rise above stress and pressure and take your performance to the next level – while enjoying your life more both on and off the job.
Get more information and save your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. Enroll with a friend or colleague and you’ll both save $500. Email us at Support@DianeBolden.com for group or alumni registration.
Here’s to your success!
Diane
P.S. Have you already been through The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed program? Alumni are eligible to re-enroll at a special rate.
Make your Fridays fountainheads for progress
Ahhh Friday – a day that marks the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend. It’s a time we instinctively want to slow down a bit and enjoy things a little more.
And it’s a great day to zoom out, connect the dots of your experiences – take stock of what you’ve accomplished over the week and zero in on what you’ll tackle in the coming week after you’ve had a little rest and relaxation.
Taking the time to do that is one of the most valuable ways to leverage the progress you’ve made and ensure you can continue to build on it.
But that’s often easier said than done. If you ever feel you can’t afford to slow down because you have too many balls in the air, you might forfeit that opportunity and just keep moving.
And the problem with that is if you continue that pattern, it’ll perpetuate a way of thinking and acting that’ll run you into the ground.
Because you can only do that so long before it catches up to you and begins to impact not only your energy and ability to enjoy your work, but also your effectiveness. You risk getting to the point where you are running like mad, but not really getting anywhere near where you want to go.
As you connect the dots, you learn from your experiences how to most effectively use your time… what to continue doing, and what to tweak.
If you can reflect on some of your experiences, you can also gain valuable insight into what you can do differently next time to be more effective.
And as you check in with your vision and desired future you can ensure that the steps your taking are going to get you there – and make any necessary course corrections.
So, I challenge you to start using your Fridays as fountainheads for progress. Even just designating thirty minutes can make a significant impact. You can begin today.
And if you’d like some support in making that a consistent practice, consider joining me for The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track kicking off on Friday September 20.
Every Friday for seven weeks you’ll have the opportunity to engage with like-minded people who are learning approaches for leveraging their progress, overcoming old limiting habits and beliefs, and bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
You’ll also have lifetime access to seven video modules of powerful and practical content that will be covered each week.
Today marks day 14 in the countdown to kickoff! You can get more information and save your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. Email Support@DianeBolden.com for group or alumni enrollment.
Three quick tips for unleashing your Genius
Michelangelo once said, “The masterpiece is already in the marble.”
The same is true for each of us. Our chief task as leaders is to chip away at the stuff that surrounds the masterpiece… habits, patterns, and approaches that no longer work – and inaccurate beliefs about yourself, others, and what’s possible.
But how do you do that? For Day 15 of the countdown to the September 20 launch of The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track, below are some tips taught in the program that’ll help you unearth your GENIUS by chipping away at the extraneous stuff that keeps you from accessing it.
1) PAY ATTENTION.
You’re bound to fall into old habits and patterns but the more you become aware of them, the less compelling they become. At first you may not catch yourself until after the fact, but over time you will find you can interrupt the cycle sooner and ultimately choose a different response altogether.
2) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
The next time you have an experience that doesn’t go the way you’d like it to, replay it in your mind and try to identify the role you played in it. Ask yourself what you would do differently next time.
Then envision what that would look and feel like if you were to have the same situation, but a more favorable response. In this way, you can allow your experiences to teach and mold you into something better – even the ones that are less than optimal.
3) IDENTIFY WITH THE MASTERPIECE, NOT THE MARBLE.
You are not your thoughts, your patterns, or your habits. You are much bigger than that. Once you are aware of how those things are operating in your life, you free yourself up to choose new ones. Rather than chipping away at the marble, you’ll begin to grow from within it, busting through the constraints that no longer hold you captive.
Instead of dwelling on your limitations, focus on your strengths. Instead of putting your attention on the things you don’t want to see, identify with what you do want and recognize that you have the ability to achieve it.
As you begin to clear the debris from your view, you’ll see things in a whole different light – including the people you lead. They are far more likely to take their cues from your actions than your words. And when you begin to help them identify with their masterpieces too, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
If you’re interested in additional strategies for inspiring and motivating yourself and others to higher levels of performance and impact – as well as greater fulfillment both on and off the job, come join me in the Pinocchio Principle Unleashed Fast Track, kicking off on 9/20.
This 7-week leadership development program includes video and live training as well as coaching that’ll help you break out of limiting patterns of habit and thought and lead from a Genius mindset. Get more information and reserve your seat at UnleashtheExtraordinary.com. Email Support@DianeBolden.com for group or alumni enrollment.