Volume 1, Issue 5, December 2022

Welcome to Volume 1, Issue 5 of The Root.

In order to support our growth, we require a strong network of roots.  They anchor us and serve as a conduit for nutrients to help us develop and deliver on our goals.

As we move into the end of the year, we focus on Year End Review.  Not the kind that determines your bonus, but the one you reflect upon for your happiness and successes.  Those associated with Life, Relationships, Work.

I’m here to remind you to measure your progress throughout the year (not just how far you have to go).

Here’s a quick reminder to celebrate the Small Wins Like An Egg Toss Champion.

Thank you for following along our journey to Aspire to Grow.

Check us out at www.aspiretogrow.co <the .com domain was taken, but I like to think of it as “.co” for co-create>.

Off the Shelf – My Book Pick

The Gap and The Gain – by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

We are approaching the end of the year; we have a tendency to reflect on the goals we did not achieve.

• I didn’t lose that 10 lbs
• I didn’t get that promotion
• I didn’t visit the 5 National Parks

The book The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, reminds us to measure our progress and accomplishments (the GAINS) vs. how far we have toward the next goal (the GAP).

The idea?  This allows us to focus on our internal happiness rather than an external reference point for happiness.   Sullivan says, “You are the destination”.  The slight change in reference allows us to be happier in our current state – rather than only focusing on the future state. It’s no surprise that we tend to measure ourselves against a reference point determined by society.  

We can easily to get stuck in the social media hype, comparing ourselves with others who may have better job titles or live in better homes.   But, if you took these out of the equation, what would success look like to you? 

Complete this sentence (maybe even 10 times):

 I know I’m being successful when ______________________________

You as your own reference point

What if you were your own reference point?   What do you need to be happy?  What do you WANT vs. NEED?  Sullivan states that when we only see what is missing in our lives, we feel the strain of the GAP vs. the beauty and progress of our GAINS. 

“Measuring your own personal progress keeps you out of comparison with others” 

It won’t be an easy reframe – but for certain, at the end of the day, reflect on your progress.  You can go into the GAP, but allow yourself a set amount of time to reflect on the future and what you may need to do to get to that goal — but then return to your own progress and accomplishments toward that goal.  Measure backward.

GAIN Mindset Leadership

As organizational leaders, we do need to work toward corporate and individual goals.  It’s part of the strategic process.  While considering what still needs to be achieved for the year, do help your teams reflect on all the progress AND what still needs to be done. Celebrate wins at the top of each group meeting.  In less than 10 minutes — celebrating team wins help motivate other team members and builds a culture of collaboration. At year end, send a reminder to your teams about all they’ve accomplished (big and small) along the journey.  This activity will help you also see all that you accomplished as a leader.

Stream On – My Podcast Pick
Focus on This, Episode 113. – Overcome the Lies that Undermine Celebration

When I did an internet search on celebrating year end wins, this one popped up (along with many others). Overcome the Lies that Undermine Celebrations,discusses how we lose the joy in achieving goals associated with organizational work.  Much of this occurs when we feel the need to pivot quickly to the next goal due to the organizational productivity mind-set (after it all, it is a business).

The Benefit of Celebration

Podcast hosts Courtney and Blake discuss how acknowledging wins help us re-energize and acknowledge our progress.  They also mention the 3 big lies we tell ourselves about celebrating. 

The Big Lies

The lies are things we tell ourselves to avoid celebrating the small wins that contribute to larger goals.

• I don’t have time to celebrate, I need to move on to the next goal!
  • Actually, celebrating our small wins, helps us remember what is working well (not just remembering what didn’t work)
  • It also helps us re-ignite our energy to continue to the next goal
• People will think I’m bragging if I celebrate each win
  • This is so true, especially as women are conditioned to feel this way in corporate America (But resist this lie and CELEBRATE.  Set a good example for others)
  • While we might tend to celebrate “We did x”, don’t forget to celebrate your personal contributions to team wins. — “I did x”
• Celebration will lead us/me to settle
  • We have a fear that if I acknowledge a small win, will I end up being satisfied with smaller accomplishments instead of the Big Goal?
  • The thought of accepting mediocrity is a lie associated with being thankful for smaller wins.

Mindful Moments

End of Year Meditation – Joseph Cardillo, PhD 

This is a busy time of year.  Holiday celebrations.  Family time (good and stressful ones).  End of year work goals. 

As you reflect on the successes above, also consider giving yourself a few minutes to meditate and reset.  I try to build this in daily, but sometimes, my busy mind wins, and I move on to my task list instead. 

Dr. Cardillo points out a few great activities associated with bowing to life, meditation and visualization in “An End of the Year Meditation”. 

One Day to See the Good in Everything

I’m a self-professed fixer and problem finder, and this one is a bit harder for me. The idea of doing this does make me smile just a bit with the challenge.  Just one day, see only the good in all interactions. 

Cardillo suggests the following:

• Pick a day (any day)
• Spend our attention on looking for the good in everything we encounter (no criticizing)
• Smile.  
• Repeat for all things you encounter. Nature.  Music. Places you go.

At the end of the day, reflect on how you feel.

Meditation & Visualization

He also suggests a 20-minute meditation at the end of your day. Try 10 minutes if that’s more doable for you. 

You can find many good options for guided meditation on You-Tube.  10 minute meditations

Dr. Cardillo provides steps in this article for self-guided meditation and self-guided visualization (Link to article above).  

Allow yourself and your mind the time to reset. 

When you open your eyes, I can almost promise you will feel refreshed. 

Note: I also will meditate for 10-15 minutes prior to a big meeting or webinar to feel refreshed.

I’d like to end with one of my favorite holiday movie quotes from Elf.  My husband’s favorite is the next line given by the Store manager — “Make Work your Favorite”.

 I’m wishing you all a very happy holiday season filled with joy, safety and good health, for all the holidays we celebrate.  Thank you for following along on this journey.

Sincerely, Kathleen