Tag: Goals

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration

Making a Career Journal

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

What is a Career Journal?

A Career Journal is keeping track of career goals, action steps, certifications, accomplishments, achievements, and references all in one area.

What’s the Purpose of a Career Journal:

A career journal is a great way to be organized and focused with a career path in mind.

What’s in a Career Journal:

  • To brainstorm career goals and ideas
  • Keep track of career progress
  • Lessons learned
  • Coaching strategies
  • Advice from mentors
  • A private place to vent career disappointments
  • To keep positive affirmations and quotes
  • To gain a new perspective
  • Resume, cover letters, interview tips, interview questions, thank you letters, recommendations, references and certifications
  • Mission statement and values
  • Develop a career action plan
  • To keep motivated and inspired
  • To celebrate the small successes

How to Get Started:

  • Get a larger binder; put all your career paperwork and ideas into it
  • Then decide if you want to put all your information into a computer document, on-line journal, a book journal, or a binder
  • Organize by categories
  • Add to your career journal regularly
  • Keep it in a secure place

Self-Reflection Questions for Career Journal:

  • What did I learn?
  • What did I accomplish?
  • Did I receive any compliments?  If so, what was it and who said it?
  • How did I make a difference?
  • Did I have any setbacks and how did it affect me?

Take Away:

Having a career journal will keep you organized and focused on your career goals as well as helping you be ready for the next career opportunity.

When are you going to start a career journal?  

Comments are always welcome and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, family and on your social networks!

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration, Vision Statement

2017 Vision Statement (How to Write One for Your Business)

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

With the New Year coming soon, this is a great time to start thinking about the upcoming year and your business strategic goals.  A “Vision Statement” is a great way to get the planning started.

What is a Vision Statement?

According to BusinessDirectory.com ~ the definition of a “Vision Statement” means:

An aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or long-term future. It is intended to serves as a clear guide for choosing current and future courses of action.

A Vision Statement helps keep a business on track.  It is to inspire, encourage, and energize your business.  It is a visual reminder of why you are in business.

How to create a Vision Statement:

The statement should be within one or two sentences and about ten to thirty words.

It needs to be specific to your business and aligned to the business values.

a.   What do you believe?

b.   Why do you do it?

c.   What is the purpose?

d.   What does the business do?

e.   What does the business want to be known for?

f.   What problems or services does the business want to solve?

Keep it simple. Do not use jargon or abbreviation.

Make the Vision Statement with emotion.  Be passionate, unique, different, dream big and focus on business success.

Write the Vision Statement in present tense.

Describe your business outcome in five to ten years as if it was now.

After composing the draft for the Vision Statement seek out truthful honest feedback and review from others.

From the feedback responses, if needed, rewrite the Vision Statement to perfection.

Why does a Business Need a Vision Statement?

A Vision Statement is a clear vision of desired outcomes that inspires your business.  It defines the direction and strategy of the business and supports a continual focus on where the business wants to be.  If your business doesn’t have a Vision Statement the business is without direction and inspiration.

The Take Away:

A Vision Statement keeps the business moving in the right direction.  It is a constant reminder of where the business wants to be.  It motivates, inspires and guides the business on what it wants to achieve.

Comments are always welcome and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, family and on your social networks!

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration

8 Tips to Organize Your Workspace

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

Are you buried in paper?  
Does your desk have no open space left?  
Are you constantly searching for things on your desk?  
Well, you are not alone.  
I struggle with this as well.  Alright, it is time to get organized and de-cluttered.

Here are some tips for us to start the process of having a clean, de-cluttered, organized functional work space:

Tip #1 ~ Have a Vision:  Start with a vision of what you want your desk to look like.  Share this vision with everyone you know for a support system.  You may even get some help to clear and clean your desk.  🙂

Tip # 2 ~ Create Time: Block out time each day to work on de-cluttering and clearing off your work space.

Tip # 3 ~ Decide What is Important to Keep:  Ask yourself what is a “must have” on your desk and keep those things.  Move them to a safe location so they don’t accidentally get thrown away.  Go get a large trash can, a shredder and large box for items to give away.  You may need two large boxes if it is anything like my desk.

Tip #4 ~ Give Away Boxes:  Start with the give away boxes.  This will help ease the process for you.  You will feel like you are making a difference by giving away to others.  After you have completed the give away boxes, let’s move to the throw away stuff.

Tip#5 ~ Time to Purge: Start throwing away items with no use, no longer needed or wanted.  Fill up that large trash can.  Just do it!

Tip #6 ~ Time to Shred:  Time to shred the paper, files and materials which are out of date, the record retention dates have passed and it is no longer needed.  If you haven’t touch it in a year, “Do you really need to keep it?”

Tip # 7 ~ Create Colored Folders:  The paper files you need to keep.  Create colored meeting and project folders.  File them off your desk in a cabinet or box.  After this is completed, it is important to file these folders daily.  Put them back where you got them so your desk stays clear.

Tip #8 ~   Time to Sparkle:  Wipe down your desk with cleaning products and arrange your “must haves” on your clean sparkling desk.

Take Away:

Now, you have a clean de-cluttered workspace.  According to research studies when you have a clear de-cluttered desk you are more motivated and productive.  You are able to find things quickly and are not wasting time looking for important documents.  I would love to see your comments about your work space.  

Do you feel more motivated and productive with a clean de-cluttered work space?

Comments are always welcome and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, family and on your social networks!

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration, Podcasts

Enhance Personal Development

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

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Enhance Your Personal Development

What is Personal Development?  It is a life long process of anything improving oneself which helps you progress towards what you want in life and/or career.  Personal Development is constant; everyday take some kind of action to help you grow, no matter how big or how small it is.

  • Take time to learn and self-reflect from your experiences, challenges, mistakes, struggles, positive outcomes and grow.
  • Ask others you admire to mentor, coach or teach you what they know.
  • Invest in hiring a Certified Professional Coach.  A Professional Coach creates a positive environment for their clients to enhance their personal development.
  • Read books regarding your profession and about personal development.
  • Attend conferences, seminars, and training classes.
  • Obtain certifications in your field.
  • The more knowledge and skills you have, the more valuable you are as an employee.  You will become more confident and competent at taking on new challenges, projects, assignments and responsibilities.
  • Join an association in your profession to help you network and learn from other members experiences.
  • Join Toastmasters International to help you to succeed at gaining confidence with your public speaking skills and leadership skills as well as learning new things.

If you are a Supervisor, Manager or CEO.  A good leader meets with their employees one on one to discuss personal development.  The supervisor and staff member create an action plan with goals and training courses.  Through coaching, mentoring, a career development plan and leading with a proven successful manner, the employee will be on a career path of purpose.  It is up to the individual to pursue their dreams and aspirations to be a good leader.  Don’t underestimate the importance of having a good coach, leader or person in your life to assist you along the way. Having a good leader to follow is priceless. Just think, what possibilities could be in the workplace if everyone was a good leader and exceptional employee.

Self-Reflection Question:  What are you doing to continue to grow and improve?

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration, Podcasts

Removing Gossip, Negative Thoughts and Self-Doubt from Daily Life

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

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A few weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year.  The eighth key action step is working on “Removing Gossip, Negative Thoughts and Self- Doubt from daily life”.

Removing Gossip, Negative Thoughts and Self-Doubt:

Start With Creating Peace, Love and Joy.  When I ask this question:  What do you really want in life?  People have expressed all they really want in their lives is peace and love. How do you find peace and love in your life?  I believe before you can have peace, joy and love in your life. You should reflect peace and love within yourself.

How do you reflect peace?   By realizing, yes, you have made some mistakes and those mistakes sometimes follow you. Everyone makes mistakes and it is time to let go of that baggage which loads you down and forgive yourself. Once you learn to love and respect yourself your heart will open to receive love from others.  You will begin to treat others with love and kindness and love and kindness will circle back to you.  Peace and calmness will come into your life as well as those around you.  Walking away from gossip and speaking bad about others will improve your relationships and discontinue negative thought patterns.

How to Halt Negative Thought Patterns:

To stop those negative thoughts about yourself and others. Begin by obtaining a small journal and writing down all your good qualities and the good qualities of people around you. Make a list of the good qualities you want to reflect in your life.  Anytime you start to feel the self-doubt or negative thoughts. Pull out that small journal and reflect on those words you written and read them.  Perform this exercise to open your heart to receive love and peace within.

Being Confident and Removing Self-Doubt:

Back in January of 2014 I had created this poll.

The number one reason was Self-Doubt or Confidence.

Why do you think Self-Doubt or Confidence was number one?

Why are people afraid to pursue their dreams or aspirations?  Isn’t it better to go after your dreams?  Absolutely!  Have a plan, it will take time and perseverance.  I recall sometime back I had read an article which discussed when people were close to dying they wished they took more chances and didn’t worry about what others thought of them.

Can you imagine how many happy and satisfied people there would be in this world, if they pursued their goals and dreams? 

How do you live the life you imagined?

Start with creating an action plan.  Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What do you really want in your life?
  • What do you need in your life to accomplish it?
  • What steps will you take?
  • What may prevent you from achieving it?
  • How will you move past those obstacles and achieve what you want?

Right now!  The life you’re leading:

  • Is it acceptable or satisfying to you? 
  • Is there something more you want? 
  • Can you imagine how different your life would be if you followed these steps to accomplish the life you imagined?

Self-doubt hinders you.  Be passionate, persistent, patient and flexible. Keep moving forward.   It will happen!  Life is an adventure where are you taking yours? – Patti

Feel free to share your thoughts on this subject in the ” leave a reply” box below.

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Inspirational Moments, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration, Podcasts

The Practice of Journaling

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

The Journal

A few weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year.  The sixth key action step is working on the practice of journaling.

Choose a time to journal daily.  It can be when you get up in the morning, on your lunch time or before going to sleep.  You may use the questions from this website or just self-reflect about your day. Journaling can open up your mind to change and help inspire you to pursue your dreams, aspirations and goals.

Journaling allows you to alter your thoughts which block you from achieving your goals.  We all need someplace to think and rejuvenate.  Are you taking time for you?   Would scheduling some time help?  Is this something to consider for creating balance in your life?  If you don’t have a place, imagine where to find one?  It could be anywhere you feel at peace.  Why not consider journaling and let me know how it made a difference in your life.  ~ Patti

Comments are always welcome and please share it with your colleagues and on your social networks!

 

 

Posted in Blog, Personal Inspiration, Podcasts

Developing an Achievable Budget and Change Spending Habits to Relieve Stress and Overwhelm

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

The Journal

A few weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year.  The fourth key action step is developing an achievable budget and to be successful in managing your money.

There are all kinds of budget planning systems out there.  Making it simple is the key.  Some people like budget daily planners, some like spreadsheets to keep track of spending, others like APPS on cell phones.

Let’s make it simple:

Get a pen and small notebook to track daily spending habits it is really easy to track spending.  Everytime you want to purchase something pull out your spending notebook.

Set daily, weekly and monthly goals of how much free money you have to spend.

How much money per month do you make (Income)?

How much per month goes towards bills (Expenses)?   Add up all your bills for the month. example: (Mortgage, Rent, Utilities, Credit Cards etc.)

How much money do you need per month for food, groceries and travel to and from work?  Add up and review what you spent last month.  Is there something you can change in your spending habits to save money?  Do you go out for lunch and dinner everyday?  Do you make your breakfast, lunch and dinner at home?

How much did you spend for other expenses?  Add them all up from last month.  Review your spending habits from last month.  Is there something you are spending your money on that you really don’t need?

How much money do you want to put towards savings?

How much do you have left?   Take your total income and minus your total expenses and savings amount.

Do you have any money left?

Example:

Income (Total pay for the month)             $2,500.00

Expenses (Total bills per month)             – $1,500.00

Total spending per month on groceries, gas in car etc.   – $   300.00

Total to put towards savings account each month        -$     250.00

Total amount left                                                                 +      450.00

$450.00 divided by 31 days = $14.51 per day in spending to make monthly money goal.

If yes, how much?

If no, review what you are spending your money on and what can be cut out.

Once you have your figure.  Each day write down everything you are spending.  At the end of the day review what you spent.  Did you stay at your target amount?

Every time you pull out that notebook and write something down think about it before you spend it.  Is this really helping me achieve my money goals.  Do I really need this $4.00 cappuccino and coffee today?  If I buy that $4.00 coffee I will have $10.52 left for the day.

Knowing how much you have to spend in a day will help you stay within budget.  By writing down everything you spend makes it easy for better decisions with your money.

My challenge for you is to take last month figures and start incorporating your daily budget number into your daily spending habits this year.  If you have not been saving any money this may help you achieve it. ~ Patti

Coaching for Inspiration
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti.
com – TM

 

 

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Inspirational Moments, Leadership Inspiration, Personal Inspiration, Podcasts

It is a New Year!

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

Fire

Welcome to another new year.  How is this year going to be different from last year and the year’s before?  What changes, challenges, struggles and acknowledgments are you going to face?  Well, we can’t see into the future however we can strive to make things better in our lives.

Here are some life changing subjects to consider incorporating this year:

Putting gratitude into our life and actions

Acknowledging and thanking others

Using daily affirmations

Developing an achievable budget and change spending habits to relieve stress and overwhelm

Work on daily forgiveness practices – Forgiving yourself and others

Practice journaling

Connect with others and build friendships

Remove gossip, negative thoughts and self-doubt from daily life

Enhance personal development: update resume, take a class, join an association in your field, develop a retirement plan, and take up a hobby

Self-Care to improve health and wellness

Questions for self-reflection and action:

Which of these topics above would change your life for the better?

Are you willing to incorporate it?

Are you willing to stick with it and stay focused?  Even if it is hard and you have to make sacrifices?

How would your life change for the better by incorporating this into your life?

How are you going to make this happen?

When are you going to start?

What obstacles may you face and how will you succeed to overcome them?

What would your life look like when you have incorporated this action into your daily life?

Life is full of challenges, obstacles and unknowns however if we have something to strive for daily it gives us purpose.  With purpose we have something to look forward to even when those challenges can be overwhelming.  Feel free to share what you will be incorporating in your life to make this year memorable. ~ Patti 🙂

Coaching for Inspiration
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti.
com – TM

To contact me for a private confidential discovery coaching session.   Fill out the contact form below.   In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.

Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.

  • By Phone
  • By Skype
  • In Person

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

 

 

 

Posted in Blog, Business Inspiration, Leadership Inspiration

December is a great time to start writing a Business Plan

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

I was asked these questions last week “What does a Business Plan really mean?”  “Why should I have one?”  “Aren’t they a lot of work?”  Let’s explore these questions for the small business owner and entrepreneur.

What is a Business plan? ~ according to Wikipedia.

A business plan is a formal statement of business goals, reasons they are attainable, and plans for reaching them. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals. ~ Wikipedia

A business plan can be basic or complex, for these business plan questions I will keep it uncomplicated and achievable.

Why should I have a business plan?

A business plan helps you have a reason why for your business and keep you focused on your goals.

Here are some questions for a basic business plan:

  1. What is your business?
  2. What products and/or services are you going to provide next year?
  3. What are your values?
  4. How are you going to incorporate your values into your business?
  5. How are you going to accomplish this?
  6. What is your financial goal for next year?
  7. Who are your potential customers or clients?
  8. How are you going to market and network your business to successfully reach potential customers/clients and obtain your financial goal?

Aren’t they a lot of work?  

When reviewing, brainstorming and answering these few questions you have a simple and attainable business plan for the upcoming year.  Feel free to share. ~ Patti 🙂

To contact me for a private confidential discovery business plan coaching session.   Fill out the contact form below.   In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute business plan discovery session.

Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.

  • By Phone
  • By Skype
  • In Person

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted in Blog, Personal Inspiration, Polls

“What are the best times, days and topics for Coffee, Coaching and More Workshops?”

Posted on by Coaching for Inspiration with Patti

Coaching for Inspiration with Patti Coffee Cups

What is Coffee, Coaching & More with Patti?

These workshops are for the busy person who knows their dreams really matter.  Coffee, Coaching and More Sessions bring you together with others in a fun, friendly and supportive environment with a different confidence-boosting topic each month.

Spend two hours focusing on you with no distractions, no pressure, and no judgement on different life topics.

Together we will look at situations which may be holding you back, limiting beliefs, procrastination, lack of time, low self-confidence, feeling overwhelmed and how to overcome these and live the life you really want.

The polls below are to inspire the perfect days, times and topics for great participation in future workshops.

What days and times would work best for you?

Which topics would you be interested in attending?