Category: leadership development

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!

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

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

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?

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.

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!”

Happy Gilmore was full of raw talent, but he needed help from several coaches throughout the movie in order to succeed.

Virginia helped him be more professional. Happy used foul language and inappropriate behavior on the golf course. She helped control his temper and think about what type of impression he wanted to leave on his audience.

Chubs provided training and skill development. Happy had a lot of power, but no touch. One part of his game was strong, but Chubs helped him with the other parts of his game that were lacking.

Grandma provided the motivation. Grandma’s house was evicted and the only way to get it back was to play golf. Whenever he got down on himself, he remembered his goal of playing: to save grandma’s house.

Happy Gilmore is a great illustration of the coaches we need in life. They give us perspective, knowledge and guidance. If you want to develop and grow forward, turn to a coach!

Hearing criticism is challenging to deal with. Regardless where it comes from, our natural reaction is to get defensive. On the other hand, without feedback, you cannot measure your performance. How would you benefit if you changed your perspective on feedback?

Listen Objectively. Feedback is tough to take because we filter it subjectively. We take it as someone judging us and we miss the message. Some feedback can be painful, but if you can hear the objective message, you can go forward from there.

Learn From It. “Whatever doesn’t hurt me, makes me stronger.” This statement is both true and false. Feedback can hurt, but there is much to prosper from. Get past your ego, improve and move on. If you don’t repeat the same mistake again, you’ve probably learned from it.

Sense of Urgency. Past successes easily produce complacency. We react negatively to feedback because we think too highly of ourselves. I’m not saying to have low self-esteem, but don’t think you’re above reproach. Everyone can get better, including you! Don’t bask in your past glories. Act with a sense of urgency by focusing on the critical issues and be driven to win now!

Feedback gets easier to take, when you welcome it. Think about it. You learn more from your past failures than successes. What worked before, won’t necessarily work now. Make this attitude adjustment and personal growth is just around the corner!