Category: gen y

Undercover Boss

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What if your boss spent a day in your shoes? How would this change their perspective on how to run the company? Let’s take some great leadership principles from this TV experiment:

Leaders Serve
True leading comes from a heart of service. The higher you are in position; the further you are removed from your customers. Take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers.

Leaders Care
There’s nothing more powerful to hear at work than the words “thank you.” “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Loyalty is gained through relationship. When you care, performance will take care of itself.

Leaders Change
Transformation happens from the inside out. Personal urgency is a catalyst for organizational change. Corporate culture shifts only when change starts at the top. Growth happens when you seek honest feedback. Innovation is about improving, not maintaining.

Leaders are willing to serve, care and change. These are character traits. Leading others means being in touch with their struggles. Look for opportunities to lead in your company by serving, caring and changing.

Ready to become a Servant Leader?
Partner with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!

Take a Hike

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This past weekend my wife and I went on a 7.5 mile hike. During our journey, I realized three takeaways that could apply to career development:

Mindset
Before we left, we put on our hiking shoes, comfortable clothes and packed some snacks and water. I knew it was going to be more challenging than other hikes because our previous ones were only 3 miles. Knowing we had a greater destination in mind, it was key to mentally prepare for the challenge.

Partnership
At different points we wanted to stop, but the other person provided encouragement to keep going. If I took this journey alone, it would be easier to quit, but we were able to rely on each other when it got tough and the accountability helped us persevere.

Accomplishment
Once we reached the top, we rested and enjoyed the view from above. There’s nothing better than feeling you’ve climbed a mountain (literally). Even when we were tired, our drive for achievement took us to the top. We looked back on climb and agreed it was worth it.
(even with the soreness that followed)

Taking a hike is very similar to career development. First, you have to prepare your mind for the challenge. Next, create a support system for accountability when times get tough. Lastly, don’t stop until you’ve reached your goal.

Need help taking that first step?
Partner with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!

Up In The Air

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In this movie, George Clooney was hired to let people go. During our recession, it makes us ponder: What’s important? What should I expect? Let’s take a look at some lessons we can learn from this picture:

1) What’s in your Backpack? This was an analogy about what we carry with us. Life can be heavy and sometimes we need to discard the “junk.” Figure out what’s important to you, focus on those things, then dump the rest.

2) Make Connections. We live in a technologically connected, socially disconnected world. For example, we rob ourselves of intimacy by texting and talking on our cell phones during conversations with people in front of us! Connections are quality relationships. They take time and involve risk.

3) Overcome Obstacles. This week I’ve talked to many friends and colleagues who are much wiser and more experienced than I am. They all agree the uncertainty of our economy is scary. Most of us need to be focusing on Plan B in order to survive. It’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with obstacles – the question is, “How will you proceed forward?”

Up In The Air is about dealing with uncertainty. We need to unload some baggage, ask for the support of others and face reality. Take some time to prioritize your life and recruit a listening ear to help you cope and move forward.

Need a Professional Accountability Partner? What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!

Slow Down

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During the Christmas season, do you frantically shop for deals, attend numerous parties and create your own wish list in your mind? Amidst this fast pace, we run around like chickens with our heads cut off…for what?! For the next week and half try “slowing down” with these 3 suggestions:

1) Be Thankful. Sometimes our schedules get so busy, we forget about our family and friends in our lives. Christmas doesn’t mean much without loved ones to spend it with. Remember to be thankful for all the people who make your life better.

2) Focus on Giving. I love picking out the perfect gift for someone else. It’s a way to say, “Thank you. I appreciate you being a part of my life.” It’s nice to receive gifts, but there’s a sense of accomplishment and joy when we can give to others freely without expecting something back in return.

3) Identify the Purpose. Why do you celebrate Christmas? If there’s no reason behind the season, don’t go through the motions for tradition’s sake. Celebrating an event should have meaning; otherwise, there’s no point. For me, Christmas is sharing God’s love and remembering Jesus’ birth long ago.

Make this Christmas different by being thankful, focused on giving to others and understanding why you celebrate it!

If you’re still unsure of what to get someone, consider giving the Gift of Coaching! Until December 21st, we are offering 50% off of Skype/Phone Coaching Sessions. What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!

Imagine how much more successful you can be with the help of a coach!

Keep Cope Alive

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We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose how to respond to our circumstances. Bad things happen to everyone, but successful people cope more effectively. Here’s some tips to improve your ability to cope:

1) Don’t make emotional-based decisions. When we lose our temper or want instant gratification, we react instead of respond. I’m not saying be a “robot”, but it’s better to think before you act rather than say what you feel. We need to be more aware about how our decisions affect others.

2) The past doesn’t determine the future. Many times we dwell on what we know or have experienced so far. This becomes a destructive cycle. To break the cycle, you must decide to do something new and expect different results.

3) Train your brain. Listen to this equation carefully: Your thoughts trigger your feelings which cause action (or inaction). That means everything starts inside your head. Don’t self-sabotage yourself before you begin. Turn your negative thoughts into a positive “I” statement. You’ll be amazed what an optimistic attitude can do for you!

Coaching is like having a personal trainer for your mind. What a trainer does for your body, a coach does for your mind. Discover how to make a change for the better by signing up today and experience coaching firsthand!

Imagine how much more successful you can be with the help of a coach!

You & Improved

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During this recession, you don’t have time to hang your head and feel sorry for yourself. How are companies like Amazon, Netflix and Verizon actually increasing their profits? Let’s take those same strategies and apply them to your personal brand:
Stay Engaged. Engagement comes from having purpose and passion in life. Stay focused on what you need to do and who you need to connect with. Keep your eyes on the prize, don’t let distractions deter you.

Re-Innovate. Improving means getting better. I always say you should be able to look back at yourself six months from now and laugh. Why? Because when you grow, you learn to do things more efficiently. It’s up to you to reinvent yourself. People only pay attention when you give them a reason to.

Plan Ahead. Fact: The recession will eventually end. When it does, will you be in a position to capitalize? Most people are in survival mode and living defensively. Successful people are networking, learning and creatively marketing so when the economy turns around, they’ll be ready to thrive.

The recession will test your character. When adversity strikes, do you lay down or fight? If a new ideas or perspective is what you need – hire a coach and start going forward with Growing Forward!

Grow Up!

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Growth rarely happens on accident. It’s intentional effort that produces results over time. Not glamorous, but grueling. You have to be willing to experience pain and visit the unknown to get to the next level. Here are 3 ways to approach personal growth:

1) Growth is uncomfortable. In order for most plants to reach their potential, they must be pruned. Similarly, we have to be willing to push ourselves even when we don’t feel like it to get where we desire to go.

2) Development is a long-term investment. Instant gratification never produces long- lasting results. For example, individual coaching teaches good habits. Habits take 6 weeks to form, but 6 months to last. If you want permanent change, be willing to work with a coach for at least 6 months to reach your goals.

3) Be Driven. Successful people find ways to stay motivated. Outside sources help, but ultimately it’s your responsibility. Do you want it bad? Are you willing to sacrifice? Ready to be great? If you answered “yes” to the following questions, it’s your time NOW.

Are you ready to start Growing Forward?
Contact Growing Forward NOW at (310) 295-0046 or scott@growingforward.net

What is Maximum Efficiency?

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At Growing Forward Coaching, we offer Maximum Efficiency to our clients. Come learn the 3 ways how to Do Less and Gain More:

“Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.” – Peter Drucker

Less Distractions, More Focus: Prioritizing is spending time on the most important things. We get distracted when we don’t have a defined target. Coaching helps you create S.M.A.R.T. goals, then keeps you accountable for reaching them. That’s laser-like focus.

Less Dwelling on Weaknesses, More Developing Strengths: It’s human nature to think about what we can improve about ourselves. Stop comparing yourself to others and start developing your natural strengths! Coaching identifies and utilizes your strengths as the “tools” to accomplish your goals!

Less Self-Doubt, More Self-Confidence: Doubt, like fear are both illusions. Confidence is built when your goals set are achieved. Once you start the process, it becomes momentum that keeps rolling down the hill. Coaching builds your confidence over time by showing what you CAN do.

Are you completing tasks with Maximum Efficiency? If not, Contact Growing Forward NOW at (310) 295-0046 or visit http://www.growingforward.net

Behind the Scenes

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When we think about leadership, we don’t naturally envision “behind the scenes.” Yet, true leadership doesn’t always attract the spotlight or notoriety. It’s quietly going about the process and bringing people with you along the way…

1) Focus on Results: Don’t seek the credit. If you take a leadership role for the recognition, you’re doing it for the wrong reason. Focus on getting the job done; appreciation will usually follow.

2) Empower Others: Don’t micromanage. If you recruit people to do a task, give them guidelines and support, then get out of their way. Leaders need followers more than the other way around.

3) Model Hard Work: Don’t tell people what to do, do it with them. Showing is more powerful than telling. Actions speak louder than words.

Security comes from knowing you’ve done your best. Leadership is about getting things done through people. Are you willing to lead behind the scenes?

The Generosity Cycle

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How do you repay generosity? You can’t. Accept it with gratitude and humility, then give the same to others when the opportunity arises.

Recently, I’ve been on the receiving end of some very generous people. It’s made a significant impact on my life. In the past, my ego would say, “You worked hard – you deserve this.” Today, I realize I’ve done nothing to “earn” these acts of kindness and it makes me truly thankful for the people God has put in my life.

A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

~ Proverbs 11:25


As an entrepreneur, I’m learning we can only do so much, then it’s up to God and His timing. Since I’ve made a shift in “trust;” the results have changed. I work hard, but don’t put added pressure on myself to make things happen. For example, instead of trying to “sell myself” at networking functions, I wait for the opportunity to talk one-on-one and see what happens. Sure, it might take longer, but it’s genuine and who I am.

Receiving generosity has opened my mind and heart. It has motivated me to give to others when I have the chance. Like the verse earlier says, “I can’t wait to refresh others!”