Monday's Mindset Memo
May 24th, 2021
Whirlwind. This is the best description of this season of life.
How do we process life at a slower pace, how do we slow time down? Having the ability to slow time can be done. But it is done with careful planning of making each moment count. Plan out your days. To-Do lists are a thing for a reason. Going haphazardly through the day isn’t productive, efficient or easy. Some days are for sure more lax and let’s wing it kind of days. But when stress kicks in, when feeling overwhelmed seems like it’s taking over your day…take a moment and prioritize what you need to finish up to feel productive.
Crossing everything off your list but giving them all 75% is not the goal. Who wants to give 75%? No, give everything to each project, and get stuff done.
Sometimes crossing that one thing off the list that is weighing on you can give you instant clarity to where the other craziness can just fall into place!
Trust the process. Take life one day at a time and live with intention. Make your moments count. When the moments count, the hours count, the days count and the years count. It all makes a difference.
April 26th, 2021
How are we already nearing May? I am not sure how it happens, but I turn around and it is time to flip the calendar. The words time management are speaking loud and clear to me as of late. Busier clients, mean busier workload for Oaks as well. Trying to make it all work and flow takes strategy. Some things get put on the backburner while others get ushered to the top of the To-Do-List.
I can’t imagine having a successful business without the assistance of my incredibly talented teammate Eiron. Knowing that when time seems strained and thin, having her makes me less anxious. She is a Rockstar who, like me, works well under pressure. That 4 o’clock hour, things get done!
If you have an Eiron, please be sure that they know how important they are to not only the company, but to your personal sanity. Eiron’s don’t come around everyday…treasure them.
April 5, 2021
And just like that we are over 1 year into a season of our lives that many never imagined to be possible. How quickly did we see our entire world at a standstill? Today, I want to address the Owners and Managers. I want to ask you this question.
If today you came to a standstill and could not perform your job….what would happen to your company?
Taking care of our company, clients, the teammates we employ and their families is a huge responsibility and they deserve for us to have an answer that says the company would continue on. You see so often we find that we must wear the “important” hats. Even though YES this is true. We must also ensure that the “important” hats and items are still cared for in our “unexpected absence”. If you don’t have a game plan that goes into effect and people trained and ready to assume the responsibilities, then you are playing with fire. Honestly you being a bit irresponsible to all the people that are looking to you to lead and trusting you to create a stable workplace that can withstand the unexpected.
Today’s takeaway. Look at your game plan. Draw it up. Talk to your support team and make sure everyone is prepared. Not only is this the responsible approach for your company, it is also what is needed to allow you to take vacations that allow you to reset and clear your mind, knowing that everything is still ticking right along, while you are refreshing yourself to be the best leader you can be. This is what is called a WIN-WIN.
PS: This applies to all of our lives at home too. Be prepared and ready.
March 15, 2021
“That’s not how we used to do it:”
So today’s topic is all about bridging the gap between the old and the new, the rookie and the veteran, the experienced and the green. These partnerships are some of the most complicated relationships to maneuver, but today we are going to focus on the good that can come from them. It is worth the work.
Many things can only be passed down, taught or shown through experience and wisdom. Hands on training that involves one partner who has already learned priceless lessons throughout their time in the industry can save a lot of headache and stress for the newer person on the team. Having the ability to listen, learn and gain wisdom is a trait that will earn you a LOT of respect from your seasoned team member.
A bridge has two sides though, and the newer teammates come in with fresh eyes and fresh ideas. They may not always work without being tweaked, but many times they can see the obvious solution to challenges or bottlenecks, because they don’t have the, “That’s how we have always done it” blinders on.
Working together has such great benefits. There are often potential buyers, managers and supervisors working right under an owners feet, but they often assume that no one “can do it” or “will do it”. Again two sides. If you have any interest in purchasing the company you work in, moving up in the ranks or taking on more responsibility, SPEAK UP. Some advice to anyone coming up…you cannot rightfully be upset for being overlooked, if you never put your name in the hat.
Welcome the other side and you will be wiser for it. We can all learn from each other, and stand to gain so much from one another. Be the bridge.
March 1, 2021
What drives you? What makes your heart race? What gets you excited?
Is there something specific in your profession that you just love doing, for example: organizing, marketing, planning, goal setting, training, etc.
Figure out what gets you excited and then try and do it more often. Doing what you are naturally gifted to do and what gets you excited is what many (myself included) call…working in your genius. It comes easy to you, it doesn’t feel like work, it makes you look forward to working on it, and you feel rewarded when you accomplish it.
For me, I love to get people past their comfort zones and into new places that didn’t even seem possible. The excitement I get when I see others’ confidence grow and see them exceeding their goals is a natural high, and it doesn’t feel like work. It is rewarding and it fuels my passion.
If I can make an impact on others to go live life in their genius and stop working against the grain, then I will consider it one of my best career accomplishments.
What is your genius? Are you doing it everyday? If not, what is stopping you?
February 15, 2021
Today is a great day to have a great day.
Today we will face so many choices. Some will be easy to choose the good, others will take a bit more work. Some upsets are easy to overlook, while others may call for a conversation. You may wake up late and start your day off on the wrong foot, but…. I remember a teacher once telling us that when you see the word “but” in a sentence then that means everything before it is of less importance than everything that comes after it. So lets try.
There are so many things that we get to choose every single day. Those little choices throughout the day will add up to the answer we give at the end of the day. The answer we give when someone that cares about us asks…How was your day today? Those little choices throughout the day will create the reality of the type of day we had. Then those days, add up to weeks and those weeks add up to months, months to years and so on.
No one gets to dictate how we take in our circumstances. That is for you and only you to decide.
February 8, 2021
Don’t lose good people because of micro-management. This is about to get personal!
Micromanagement is defined as: controlling every part, however small, of (an enterprise or activity).
So often great companies lose exceptional people due to this very issue. Why do we micromanage and how can we overcome the mental roadblock….here are a few thoughts.
They will never do it as good as I do…
Does this teammate understand how important they are and that I trust them?
They need to be watched over all the time…
Is the teammate in the right position? Are they working against their natural talents? Would they need that supervision if they were in a different position?
They never have any ideas about how the company could succeed…
Is the teammate encouraged to bring new ideas to upper management? Are their ideas being snuffed out before they ever make it to management?
They don’t even seem like they want to be here…
Does your teammate know that you want them to be there? Do they know that you know who they are, and have you discussed what their future plans in the company could look like if certain things were to happen? Give them a future to look forward to.
The happiness, joy and excitement of our employees doesn’t solely fall on them. We as managers, team leaders, owners, and supervisors all play a major role in keeping the incentives, excitement and creative juices flowing. If you find yourself feeling like the numbered points above toward teammates, ask yourself the questions below that point? Is there something I could be doing that might provide a team with a better environment?
If earning the trust, loyalty and respect of a great team is the goal, lead by example, and then admit to the them that you have been holding them back. Commit to them that things are going to change. Give them more than words…give them freedom. Be the hero and lead by trusting.
February 1, 2021
“Always give more value than you charge.” Wow, this has so much weight to it. This was in a YouTube motivational speech I was listening to a few morning ago at the gym. Side note: If you are looking for a change up, I highly recommend listening to some of those during your workout, it makes it harder to quit before you reach your failure point - when the muscles just can’t go another rep. Back to the message - “Always give more value than you charge”, this really can be applied to every single area of your life.
Example:
Marriage - Give more than you take…don’t make it a competition.
Employee - Give more at work, than you are getting paid for (work as if it is your business - don’t steal time).
Employer - Give more than just a paycheck and place to work for your team.
Church - Don’t expect everyone else to do everything, while you just sit and enjoy it all…pitch in.
Community - Get involved, mentor, offer internships, speak to your high schools or join the chamber or commerce.
Regardless of where you want wish to apply to theory of giving more value than you charge, it is certainly going to make a great impact in the relationships you have. What do you have to lose? Go for it!
January 25, 2021
Do you ever have that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Not the bad one, but the exciting one! That’s the feeling that has been sitting in my stomach for the last few weeks, and it is so exciting! There are so many things going on in my family life right now that it is such an exciting time. BUT, this isn’t about me.
Today is all about understanding that having that pit in your stomach about something in your life that is exciting, it pushes us to keep going and stay passionate. I have a sweet friend who is always talking about the “fire in her belly”. She is one of the most passionate, fun and positive person I know. She thrives off of her excitement, takes risks and is always looking for an excellent adventure. As for that “fire in her belly”…it is never referenced as a bad thing. Marina knows that this fire helps drive and give direction to her life.
What is the fire in your belly? What is that dream that is setting in there just waiting to get out?
January 18, 2021
“In a nutshell, your personal vision is what YOU want to be, do, feel, think, own, associate with, and impact by some date in the future.” ~ Dr. Linda Phillips Jones
I love the word in CAPS above. The small 3 letter word in that sentence has such a massive impact on our life. Re-read the sentence with that word replaced by “your parents want you to”, “the government wants you to”, “your teacher wants you to”. By replacing that word we lose all power of choice.
The good news is that a personal vision is exactly what YOU dictate it to be. It is also not a definite. It is changeable. It can switch directions. It can shift focus. Never forget that you ,and you alone, decide the direction your life will go in. If you don’t like your options, open your eyes to other solutions. If you feel stuck, can you relocate, or change careers, or change your inner circle? Of course you can. Will it be filled with risks? Of course it will, but there are also risks present when we stay in situations, careers and relationships that are toxic to our personal vision.
Life is full of seasons, so don’t stay in a season longer than you are intended, simply because you are fearful there won’t be another season. That’s the beauty. There is ALWAYS another season right around the corner.
January 11, 2021
Wow, does it feel good to type 2021.
But we are not here to dwell on the past year, but to look toward the future.
There is a fresh slate, to accomplish your dreams, just waiting to be drawn upon, and a reset button just waiting to be pressed.
Here is to hitting your goals and making the choice to have a positive mindset everyday.
You see the choices we make affect everything!
Choosing to hold the grudge, choosing to see their irritating qualities, choosing to make excuses and choosing to see the things that aren't working in your favor... this will bring you to a negative mindset. One that focuses on the things you don't have, you do not like and that are out of your control.
However...
Choosing to forgive the wrong and move forward, choosing to see the good, choosing to eliminate excuses and respect yourself enough to chase your dreams and goals, and choosing to see the things that are working in your favor...this will bring you to a positive mindset One that focuses on opportunities and possibilities that are all within your reach.
Choose daily to be grateful, to see the small things, to celebrate the big things and to capitalize on the opportunities.
Make this year memorable. Make this year different. Make this year special.
No matter what is in our path that you CANNOT control, there is so much more that you can!
December 14, 2020
Time for a little reflection.
With or without this being one of our craziest years most of us have faced, it is still that time of the year when we begin re-living the year. We examine missed chances and the opportunities that we jumped on. One thing that I can say is that my husband and I have both lived our last few years with HIGH RISK, from a career standpoint. This has been some of our hardest years of our lives, our marriages, our careers, but when we really look back…it has flown by. The temporary hardships, the fears and the struggles that existed have slowly transitioned into healthy balances, freedom and stability.
Making a change in HARD! But staying in an unhealthy scenario is even harder. When we walk away from a job, relationship or community we are able to see the stronghold it had on our emotional wellbeing. But you can also see the positives that it brought to your life. When you decide your next move it allows you to know watch to watch out for and what to search for. Sometimes we can return with a newfound sense of appreciation and focus, while other times it is a chance to move on and never look back.
As for me? I am so thankful that I have a supporter who will take the leap with me! If you aren’t feeling fulfilled in your life…don’t be afraid to take the leap!
December 7, 2020
What is the number one thing, on your bucket list, that you would like to achieve? I’ll wait.
Do me a favor please, say that “item” out loud, right now.
What are three things you can do in 2021 to make your dream into a memory, an experience.
If this year has taught us anything…it is “to make hay while the sun is shining”.
Make plans now starting by breaking it down into 3 steps that need to happen to cross off that bucket list.
Write them out this way.
By March of 2021, I will...By July of 2021, I will...By October of 2021, I will…
Then finish your Goal Statement with, “By December 31st, 2021 I will have…”.
I can’t wait to hear what a bucket list item you are going to focus on!
November 23, 2020
Thanksgiving is only three days away!
I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been so gracious in your responses to these Monday Mindsets. I want to thank you for the kind words, for the shares, the forwards and the encouragement they have given me and hopefully you as well.
May each of you have a wonderful week this week, one of sharing gratitude, flipping through old photo albums and enjoying chocolate pies.
God has been good to us this year through it all. It hasn’t all been easy, but I promise you this journey is “gonna be worth it”.
ONE QUICK THING: I would love to hear what you are thankful for, please reply, add a comment or shoot me a text. It is so great to hear what positive things are happening in others lives!
November 16, 2020
You can ALWAYS improve. Remember this lesson.
Never in life will we ever attain such greatness, that we can no longer learn more on a subject, topic, field of study and most certainly you can always learn more about your spouse.
Being in a constant state of learning will keep you younger, challenge you to never settle and will keep you climbing. Why would we want to always be climbing?
When you continue to climb and you reach the 1st summit, there is a good view. Then you keep climbing and reach summit 2 and think, wow, it can’t get any better than this…..but. If, and only if, you continue to climb, push through the temporary pain and continue to hydrate, then you will reach your destination. This destination has an incomparable view. It is the moment you have been waiting for. The one that you don’t even want to take your phone out to capture, because the experience is just too pure. That is when you realize, you NEVER want to stop climbing, because the summits you will reach from pushing through, will always be more than worth it.
Keep climbing up those mountains of your career, your personal goals, spiritual growth and your relationships. Keep learning along the way and make it to the next Summit! There will always be another one waiting for you if you just keep climbing.
November 9, 2020
Never underestimate the power of the “right” teammate…
No matter what field, industry, sport, marriage or family we are a part of, we can each be profoundly impacted, changed and challenged with the addition of the right teammate. What is the definition of the right team mate?
That is the beauty…you get to dictate who your ideal teammate is, and you don’t have to settle until you find them. However, we often fall short of finding them because we are looking for someone “just like us”. Do not misunderstand me here, team culture is everything, and should not be compromised during hiring just because we are in a rush, but a piece of advise. Look for the core beliefs to be the same, the work ethic to be there and then surround yourself with people that have strengths that compliment your weaknesses, then….here comes the mic drop….DELEGATE AND ELEVATE.
The amount of work that two people can do is 4 times the amount that one can do alone. Now multiply that by the amount of AMAZING ROCKSTAR teammates that you have. Your team will be unstoppable.
P.S. - A big thanks goes out to Aaron, my hubby, and Eiron, my work mate! My teammates are my opposites, and we compliment each other to the fullest. I push them out of their comfort zones to take risks, and they keep me grounded and make sure I follow through!
November 2, 2020
What a day we are in. Tomorrow will decide so much for our country. I am praying fervently for our leaders, country and my fellow Americans, on both sides of the aisle.
I want to encourage each and everyone reading this, that what will be, will be. That is how our country was founded. We were founded on the belief that the people would decide, as a whole, who our leaders would be. That once the decision was made by votes, we would all unite behind that leadership as “one nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and justice for all.”
That is still our duty, our right, our freedom and our liberty. To live together, to have the right to think freely, to express our views peacefully, and to debate passionately.
Our culture has created people who do not lose gracefully. When things voted on by the masses do not go our way, let me encourage you, myself and anyone this may be read aloud to to remember, we are Americans. As Lee Greenwood sang thousands of times over and over….
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wifeI thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that awayAnd I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
October 27, 2020
So, have you ever packed a little too much into one day?
Yeah, that was yesterday. I literally just realized we packed so much into yesterday that we didn't send out our Monday Mindset. Please forgive me.
So I just debated, do I send it, do I not, do I act like it didn't happen. Conclusion: Admit and Recommit.
Listen, things happen. We are living our life everyday on a live TV show. It is unscripted, it is improv everyday. When you are thrown a curveball, when you are human and make an error, miss an appointment, or forget something, just own it! Our society makes us expect to be perfect Instagram robots, but that isn't true reality. In reality we are moms, dads, business owners, employees, wives, husbands and most importantly, humans. We are going to mess up. Owning it, apologizing (when necessary), recommitting and moving on creates respect from your peers. Admitting our mistakes proves us to be more trustworthy. Realizing that we aren't perfect, is freeing. Realizing your co-workers, teammates, bosses and family members aren't perfect is freeing.
Don't let disappointment in someone or yourself ruin your day. Hold them and yourself accountable, then move forward! Admit and Recommit.
October 19, 2020
Sometimes our days don’t go as planned. Sometimes our schedules change. Sometimes our plans crumble.
Other times, things go off without a hitch, sometimes everything happens just right, sometimes plans are solid.
What is the difference? Not everything is just by chance. Yes, some factors are out of our control. On the days that things go great, re-evaluate the day, examine what planning you put into the day and question why it went so well. Did you have a meeting that morning? Did you not? Was the majority of your day in the morning or the afternoon? Did you exercise that morning? Once you lay out the day, next develop a plan to have more of those great days. Great days are often the product of careful execution. Set factors in place that will recreate more of the good days.
October 11, 2020
Eleven weeks.
Eleven Mondays.
Eleven Weekends.
Do you know that it is commonly believed that it would take only 3 weeks, 3 consistent Mondays and 3 weekends to develop a new habit in your life. 21 days is the average that is accepted for the time it takes to establish a new routine. Just take a moment…now, envision what habit you could break, create or enhance if you focus on it for the next 21 days. Now, envision keeping that up for the next 81 days, the remainder of 2020.
Set a focus, lay out your game plan and then EXECUTE. Life is waiting, let’s do something grand!
October 5, 2020
The last quarter of the year is upon us. It is time for hitting goals, holiday parties, Use It or Lose It patient flyers, weekly chocolate deliveries from reps and lots of laughter.
This is also a time that the leaves begin to fall, the landscapes change and there are so many visual changes on the surface. During seasons of change in our lives, work and families, many times we find ourselves stressed to the max. One of the best things someone ever passed to me was that when a team member finds a new forever home, when we lose a doctor, when we have subtraction within our team….redirect focus of the team from what they have lost, to what they stand to gain.
When the tree leaves fall, our eyes see the tree as barren….but in reality the tree is planning and designing the next beautiful addition to the family. The same is for our teams, when we have an opening to for a new addition to our family, get the team fired up that we get to plan and design the perfect teammate. Then hire for that design. Remember, planning takes patience. Don’t settle. Work together and stick it out until you find just the right leaf, for the perfect position.
September 28, 2020
This week has a lot going on. We are closing out the 3rd quarter, beginning the crucial 4th quarter of the year, facing the Harvest Full Moon, and a plethora of other tasks.
Let me encourage you to set your goals for the 4th quarter, and make them lofty. This is our end of the year push. This is our last opportunity to make a difference in 2020. My goal is to finish stronger than I would have ever dreamed possible just a mere 6 months ago. We are setting our goals high, putting in the work and when we achieve them, we are going to be proud.
I want to encourage you to motivate your team, plan something fun with them (it doesn’t have to be expensive), get out in nature (Covid isn’t killing the beauty of the trees changing colors), and spark the excitement your team needs.
Whether you are the owner, the team lead, the manager or the admin who receives the emails. It takes a spark to get the energy going in the right direction. Be that spark and fan that flame!
Let’s have a great harvest this week.