Slow Down

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

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

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!

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?

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

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

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!”

Fitness Driving Business

About 5 years ago, I woke up one day and my knee hurt. Instead of analyzing what the cause was, I decided I needed to get in better shape. I remember signing up at the gym and I’ve never looked back since. Recently, I noticed the parallel between fitness and business:

Goals: In fitness, the focus is on improved performance, better health and renewed confidence. It’s very similar for business. Setting and accomplish goals turns into momentum which breeds confidence.

Habits: It’s always hardest to go to the gym after a long layoff, but once you go successive days in a row it becomes part of your routine. Comparably, I’ve disciplined myself to do this weekly newsletter because it helps improve my writing and shares what I’ve been learning lately.

Self-Motivation: At the end of the day, YOU are responsible for motivating yourself. Don’t look to someone or something to drive you. Winners don’t make excuses. You have to be creative when it comes to staying inspired.

There’s a lot to learn from physical fitness that can help us in the business world. Achieving goals, creating good habits and being self-motivated are just three. Start looking at your physical health as a catalyst for your career growth!

Control vs. Choice

We spend most of our lives trying to control every aspect of our lives, yet what do we really have control over? Maybe it’s not about being in control, but knowing you have choices to make. Let’s explore this further:

Time: We can’t control what has happened to us in the past, but we can make choices today that impact tomorrow. The past is history and you can’t change it, so don’t dwell on it. Do something today that will create a better future for yourself.

Focus: Don’t blame others for what’s going wrong, concentrate on what you can change (about you). You can’t control others, but you can better yourself. Directing our energy on others, takes time away from self-improvement.

Circumstances: We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose how to respond. Bad things happen to everyone, yet it’s your reaction that reveals your true character. Today, choose to respond in a way that is consistent with your “brand.”

It seems illogical to give up control, but we don’t have much of it in the first place! Start making personal choices today that will help you to continually grow forward!

Strengthen your CORE

In order to condition your body to become more fit and powerful, you have to start with strengthening your core. It is the foundation of your overall strength and flexibility. Today, let’s focus on optimizing our “professional core” by working on our A.B.S.:

A – Alignment: Are your values and beliefs in unison with what you are trying to accomplish? Passion and engagement flow at work when it is an extension of who you are.

B – Brand: What is unique about you? What makes you stand out?
Focus on what differentiates you from the crowd. Start developing those strengths on a daily basis.

S – Strategy: What is your game plan?
Once you’ve figured out what you believe in and what makes you different, draw up a plan to achieve your goals. Effort and perseverance are the difference between success and failure.

Strengthening your A.B.S. will make you a more valuable asset in the professional world. Take some time today to evaluate where you are and what direction you are headed in. A strong “core” is vital to optimal performance!