Build Your Social "Support" System (I'm not talking about social media).

I came across this great advice on building your support system. 

• Take inventory of your social circle from time to time and surround yourself with "supportive" people who lift you up. People who encourage you to shine as your true self.

• Find communities, groups, or people in your life who share your core values and spend time with them.

• Surround yourself with people who encourage your big dreams, rather than shoot them down.

• Check in with your relationships from time to time. Intentionally giving your time and attention to people who support you in your journey.

• And lastly, look after your good friendships. Support them as they support you.

 As a Business & Personal Coach, I often hear: “I’m too old to do…” or “I’m too young to do …”.

Age has “Nothing” to do with it.

What matters is your experience or knowledge or talent, skills, drive, desire, etc.

I know some awesome people managers who are in their 20’s & 30’s. I also know women in their 50’s & 60’s starting their next career.

Caroline & Isabel Bercaw, sisters age 17 & 18, are cofounders at Da Bomb Bath, generating more than $20 million in annual revenue. Julia Childs wrote her first cookbook at age 50.

Don’t let the concept of “age” hold you back from going after what you want. 

Did you know studies show that when employees feel valued by the person they report to, they are more positive, engaged, effective, and happier. Valuing your team members also has a positive effect on the organization, the bottom line, and makes you a better leader.

Engaging with your team members, getting to know them as a person, not just as an employee, is a great way to build rapport. It opens the door for better communications, creates a more comfortable work environment, and encourages a more cohesive team.

As leaders, we are all at different levels of experience and learning. How do you go about getting to know the people on your team?

 Have you ever had a great idea, a dream, or a passion you wanted to pursue and were so excited about it, you told someone? 

And their response was less than enthusiastic. They may have questioned your experience, skill, etc.

Just because someone tells us something about ourselves, we don’t “automatically” have to accept it as truth.

They may not have all the information we have, see the vision the way we see it, or even understand it.

No one knows you better than you. Instead of thinking “They’re probably right, I don’t have enough experience, enough skill, enough talent, etc. to go after my dream,” take a moment, take a deep breath if you need one, then move forward toward your goals with confidence and conviction. 

  There's nothing wrong with being afraid, as long as we don't let it hold us back from achieving the things we want, the things we dream about and look forward to.

Fear is a normal and natural emotion, having butterflies in our stomach prior to a job interview or boarding the plane for that long-awaited trip. The key to success is doing it anyway.

The more we move forward through our fears, the more we begin to trust ourselves to be able to handle new opportunities, regardless of fear.

During those tough moments, lean on trusted friends, family, or co-workers to give you support while stepping out of your comfort zone.

As women, many of us are raised to not “brag” about ourselves. 

We are also taught that talking about ourselves is bragging.

BUT… here’s some food for thought:

We need to get comfortable with talking about our achievements, knowledge, skills, etc. Especially when we are interviewing for that position we want, the promotion, or that project we have been dreaming about.

This is also true for women business owners. As business owners, it’s important to let others know about your awesome products or services, and the person behind them.

It’s not bragging, it’s informing others of what you have to offer. There’s no way for the other person to know unless you share your accomplishments, your successes, your skills, your knowledge. Be proud to be you! 

Goal setting is a great way to help us stay on track. 

Following are a few tips to consider:

1. Is the end result/goal something you want to achieve, something you have been dreaming about, planning for? Or is it a goal someone else thinks you should achieve?

2. When planning out your goal take a good look at each step. Answer questions that may arise while working toward the goal. For example:

· What’s involved with achieving each step? 

· Are there costs associated with it?

· Will I have the time to work on this goal? 

· Will I need help from others? Who?

3. We often feel that we have failed if we don’t achieve our goal. But, there’s lots of good reasons to let go of a goal.

· We may find it’s not in alignment with what we want or it’s not the right time to pursue it. 

· If we let it go, we have more time to spend on the goals that will get us to where we want to be. Which is not a failure but a pathway to success. We may even find the end result is better than we imagined.

 Do you have an upcoming interview? Practice. 

It can make a big difference. If it's a job interview, go online and google "interview questions" for the type of position you are applying for.

Read through the questions and answer them. Write your answers out. By doing this, it warms you up, like stretching before going for a run.

Practicing can build your confidence, and you may feel more at ease and less nervous during the interview.

Your answers to their questions may flow easier since you are already in that mindset. And when they ask that unexpected question, you'll be ready for it.

Don’t skip over those questions that seem crazy. I was once asked during an interview: If you were a superhero, who would you be? Unbelievably, I read that question online when I was practicing and had my answer prepared.

I have interviewed a lot of people throughout my career and found the more prepared a person is, the less nervous and more confident they are.

Good Luck. Karen 

 Many of us have a lot going on in our lives. We are very busy and most likely a little overwhelmed.

🔸Be Kind to Yourself

🔸Speak Kindly to Yourself
🔸Have Compassion for Yourself

Sometimes we can be really hard on ourselves. Especially if we aren't accomplishing everything we think we should be doing.

This week speak to yourself in a supportive, understanding way. The same way you would speak to a friend. No criticizing, just supportive, understanding words.

If this seems difficult to do, just try it for today. Then try it again tomorrow. And the next day. 😊