Live and Lead For Impact Podcast with Kirsten E Ross

EP 150 Isolation vs. Solitude

Isolation vs. Solitude  Ep 150

 

Isolation

 

the process or fact of isolating or being isolated.

“the isolation of older people”

  • an instance of isolating something, especially a compound or microorganism.

plural noun: isolations

  • denoting a hospital or ward for patients with contagious or infectious diseases.

 

 

Done to you – not a choice – Often activated for the protection of others

 

 

  1. an act or instance of isolating.
  1. the state of being isolated.
  1. the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease;quarantine.

 

 

  1. to set or place apart; detach or separate so as to be alone.
  1. Medicine/Medical . to keep (an infected person) from contact with noninfected persons; quarantine.
  1. Chemistry , Bacteriology . to obtain (a substance or microorganism) in an uncombined or pure state.

 

 

  1. a person, thing, or group that is set apart or isolated, as for purposes of study.
  1. Psychology . a person, often shy or lacking in social skills, who avoids the company of others and has nofriends within a group.
  1. Biology . an inbreeding population that is isolated from similar populations by physiological, behavioral,or geographic barriers.
  1. Also called language isolate. Linguistics . a language with no demonstrable genetic relationship, asBasque.
  1. something that has been isolated, as a by-product in a manufacturing process:

 

 

Solitude

 

  1. the state of being or living alone; seclusion:to enjoy one’s solitude.
  1. remoteness from habitations, as of a place; absence of human activity:

 

 

the state or situation of being alone.

“she savored her few hours of freedom and solitude”

 

 

A choice – positive connotation – something to savor…..look forward to – a way to invest in one’s self – find peace, calm become centered.  Connect with nature.  

 

Ultimately it really is about your state of mind.  Solitude is about savoring, embracing, enjoying, your alone time. 

 

When you find your quiet time will you call it isolation and feel alone or will you embrace the solitude and use it as a time to reflect, rejuvenate, rejoice? 

 

I look forward to mine

 

 

Learn the Delegation Strategies I’ve shared with THOUSANDS and get your team to do what you need! Grab a copy of my EBook, The Six Simple Steps to Great Delegation

DefeatTheDrama.com/DelegationSheet

 

Kirsten Ross Vogel is an author, podcast host and CEO of Focus Forward Coaching where we help leaders 

 

  • defeat team drama 
  • to 4X productivity, 
  • wow their customers 
  • and improve their bottom line 
  • with simple, actionable strategies, systems, communication hacks and mindset shifts.

EP 149: Martha Blessing: Lead Others Out of Dis-ease and Into Their Greatest Potential

Martha Blessing

Freedom By Design

www.marthablessing.com

Martha G. Blessing is an author, speaker, body-mind and holistic wellness-expert, as well as a life/career coach. She is a sought after speaker and workshop presenter delivering visionary principles that inspire listeners to open to new possibilities for their lives. Martha devoted 25 years to mainstream medicine as a Registered Nurse in the specialties of Community Health, Hospice Care, and as director of an Alzheimer’s Unit.

After healing herself from cancer, over 10 years of chronic pain, three back surgeries, and living in a wheelchair, Martha knew that her greatest challenges had immersed her in accessing her life’s purpose…to lead others out of dis-ease and into their greatest potential. 

 

 

Martha is an RN who had 3 back surgeries and ended up in a wheelchair.  She was told that she’d never walk again.  She was not willing to accept that so she started looking for alternative solutions.  Within 9 months she was out of her wheelchair and off the prescriptions.

 

Now she teaches empowering strategies to others to help them deal with anxiety, depression, insomnia and more.  Help them get freedom from meds.  

 

Her biggest challenge was overcoming her negative self-talk. She had to learn to stop being in agreement with her inner critic.  Release feelings of shame and unworthiness.  And she helps others do the same.  

 

She starts her day in her meditation room.  She finds energy and instantly connects.  That first 30 minutes helps her start with a good tone for the day.

 

 

Learn the Delegation Strategies I’ve shared with THOUSANDS and get your team to do what you need! Grab a copy of my EBook, The Six Simple Steps to Great Delegation

DefeatTheDrama.com/DelegationSheet

 

Kirsten Ross Vogel is an author, podcast host and CEO of Focus Forward Coaching where we help leaders 

 

  • defeat team drama 
  • to 4X productivity, 
  • wow their customers 
  • and improve their bottom line 
  • with simple, actionable strategies, systems, communication hacks and mindset shifts.

Two Key Components to Living with Tenacity

Episode 148
Two Key Components to Living with Tenacity

Tenacity is a key component to success. We must have it to reach our goals. It’s the fuel that keeps us moving through the inevitable challenges. But how often do we take the time to stop and think about what tenacity really is? Let’s spend a minute to figure out what tenacity looks like and how we can create it to use to our advantage.

When I’m working with clients I often use the analogy of getting your screaming baby strapped into a car seat to illustrate tenacity. Because, if you have kids, you have experienced tenacity! When you are putting your child in their car seat your purpose is to make your baby safe. Your baby hates to feel confined and wants nothing to do with it. You cannot reason with a baby or explain your logic so you must just make it happen. And, there is nothing worse than hearing your baby scream. It’s so difficult to hurdle the challenge of lovingly strapping them in as they arch away from the confinement and scream with all of their might. Your tenacity, however, dictates that the car will not move until the child is fully secure.

The dictionary has this definition: strength of will, strength of purpose. And in the car seat example, your strength of will is equal to your strength of purpose. You must have both to be tenacious.

A strong purpose without will or strong self discipline and you get nowhere. You’re like a race car in park, all the potential to move efficiently but you have no forward momentum.

On the other hand, strength of will without clear purpose and you are in constant motion seeking to achieve but in all different directions, more like a bumper car.

If I am wishy washy about my desire to reach a goal because I lack the fire of purpose I will be easily stopped by any challenge. I can tell myself that “it doesn’t really matter”, or, “this must be the sign that I am to work on something different.” It’s also easier to make excuses, “I just didn’t have time for it” or, “other things just seem more interesting.”

When I was in college it took me a long time to pick a major. So, while I was definitely driven to get my degree, I did not have a vision for the kind of impact I wanted to make in the world, so no specific purpose. It was, thus difficult to determine which classes I should take. It was a painful time. I would literally close my eyes, flip through the course catalog (yes, it’s been THAT long!) and drop my finger down on the page. If the class sounded remotely interesting, would get me closer to graduation and was at a convenient time and location, I signed up. I guarantee there were some missteps. And that feeling that comes with uncertainty and lack of direction was uncomfortable at best.

In contrast, once I had my specific vision of helping others to create more purposeful, fulfilling, balanced work, I was on fire and anxious to make my class selections each semester. Time, location, duration became much less important. The only thing that mattered was what I could glean from a class to use to fulfill my mission.

Where is your lack of purpose and mission robbing you of tenacity? What is driving your decisions? Are you living your life like you’re floating on a lazy river, just bumping along with the flow of what’s around you, or are you grabbing those paddles to accelerate and steer with all of your might?

My hope is that you will take the time necessary to get as clear as possible about your purpose and that you’ll utilize whatever accountability structures you need to create the self-discipline to do what’s necessary to get where you need to get. You have important work to do in this world – get to it!!
Learn the Delegation Strategies I’ve shared with THOUSANDS and get your team to do what you need! Grab a copy of my EBook, The Six Simple Steps to Great Delegation
DefeatTheDrama.com/DelegationSheet

Kirsten Ross Vogel is an author, podcast host and CEO of Focus Forward Coaching where we help leaders

defeat team drama
to 4X productivity,
wow their customers
and improve their bottom line
with simple, actionable strategies, systems, communication hacks and mindset shifts.

EP 147: Brian DiNapoli: Never Let Anyone Else Let You Feel Small

EP 147: Brian DiNapoli Interivew


He was severely bullied as a child and turned to alcohol.  He is now speaking.

 

www.briandinapoli.com

 

A Husband, Son, Brother, Godfather, Independent, Public Servant, Toastmaster, Speaker, Coach, Georgia Bulldog, who is passionate about telling his story of overcoming bullies and drinking and want to help you do the same.

 

Brian was severely bullied as a child.  He was small and not athletic.  He began to drink and soon was drinking too much.  It was impacting his life.  He stopped drinking at 28.  It took a while to learn how to fit in as a non-drinker.  He had to learn to engage without the buffer.  Learn how to go to a football game and have fun.  Drinking gave him a false sense of confidence and lowered his inhibitions so he could dance and talk with people.  How could he do all that without drinking?

 

He soon learned that life is great without drinking.  And he is sharing that message with high school and college students.  There is life without it.  And, he shares strategies to help kids overcome bullying.  How can you feel safe at school?

He wants kids to learn to never let anyone else let you feel small.

 

Tiger Woods recently won the Masters again after his rough personal challenges with addiction and major health challenges. He was not able to walk.  His story will become an inspiration for years to come.

 

A link to Brian’s Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Rising-Above-Bullies-Drinking-ebook/dp/B00EW3N5JO/ref=nodl_

 

The link to the political organization that Brian is involved in with a focus on uniting!

https://www.nolabels.org

 

Learn the Delegation Strategies I’ve shared with THOUSANDS and get your team to do what you need! Grab a copy of my EBook, The Six Simple Steps to Great Delegation

DefeatTheDrama.com/DelegationSheet

 

Kirsten Ross Vogel is an author, podcast host and CEO of Focus Forward Coaching where we help leaders

 

  • defeat team drama
  • to 4X productivity,
  • wow their customers
  • and improve their bottom line
  • with simple, actionable strategies, systems, communication hacks and mindset shifts.

EP 146: Job Sharing to Make Room for Impact!

Job Sharing to Make Room for Impact!

In this episode Kirsten covers job share strategies that can help you and your potential partner achieve success in every aspect of work. This episode covers several topics involving communication, teamwork, distribution of responsibilities, and even the application process.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveandLeadforImpact

https://www.facebook.com/DramaFreeWork

 

EP 145: Taking Action on Violence an Interview with Ruchi Singh

Taking Action on Violence an Interview with Ruchi Singh

 

Ruchi Singh says, “I own my life and I help others to Own theirs”. She says Violence changes something deep within us. But we have the power to decide what that change will be. Ruchi made a choice to take complete ownership / responsibility for her life. She gave a voice to herself and by doing so she has given a voice to countless others. She started giving talks to create awareness about domestic violence combined with the message that we humans have resounding power within us to transform and recreate our life. She is an inspirational speaker, mindset coach and a content creator. Currently, through her story, videos & coaching, she has empowered people from UK, India, Australia, Singapore, USA, South Africa, Canada and still counting.

Connect with Ruchi Singh on social media:

Youtube: http://bit.ly/RuchiSinghTalks

Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/FBRuchisinghtalks

Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterRuchiSinghtalks

Instagram: http://bit.ly/InstaRuchiSinghTalks

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/Ruchilinkedin

EP 144: How to Make Your Impact While You Hold Down A Job 5 Keys to Asking for an Alternative Work Arrangement

EP 144: How to Make Your Impact While You Hold Down A Job

5 Keys to Asking for an Alternative Work Arrangement

 

I went through this same process years ago.  I was pregnant with my first child and decided that I really wanted to work part time.  Was I nervous?  Yes!  But, did all work out well.  You bet!  He’s in college now so it’s been a few years but I still remember the moments leading up to my conversation followed by the exhilaration of the positive response I got. It was so validating.  I felt valuable!  And I was excited to find a way to balance work I loved with family time.

What flexible work arrangement would help you balance your work and family obligations along with your focus on impact?  What would you like to do with your current role?  Set some goals.  Do your research. 

There are many different options available today and they are far more prevalent now than when I asked for my new arrangement!  I say all that to say, there is hope!

Here are some to consider:

  • Flexible Schedule: longer hours for less days, changing up your start time to earlier or later so you can get some life or impact activities out of the way before or after work.

  • Work From Home, also sometimes known as telecommuting. You still need to devote the hours but can save those commute minutes towards impact.

  • Job Sharing: with the right partner this flex work option can be amazing for employees and employers. Fill a full time job seamlessly with two people for a wider range of skills and built-in coverage for vacations or other time off.

  • Part Time

If you want to go part time, how will that impact your take home pay?  Remember, there are variables other than paid hours that you need to consider.  Will your dry cleaning bill go down?  What will happen to your transportation costs? 

Once you know what you are looking for, start putting together a presentation and formal written proposal (if you think you will need it).

Start by anticipating what the issues will be for your boss.  Make a list and address each item in writing prior to the meeting.  Be very specific.  These items will become your proposal.  I would not reference having children at home in the proposal.  You can, however, talk about your desire to balance your rewarding career with your outside responsibilities and pursuits.

Here are some topics to keep in mind when thinking about potential issues.

Purpose: retention, increased productivity, decreased burn-out, increased effectiveness

Schedule: Outline the days you plan to work from home and what hours and/or what your total schedule will be (full or part time).  If job sharing, who will work what hours?

Communication: How will your co-workers and customers contact you while you are working from home?  How will you communicate the change?  How will you access email and digital information from home? If you will work part time, will you be available for emergencies?  Or, if you will job share, how will you and your partner communicate to provide seamless full time work?

Physical Set-up: What will your home office set up be?  Will you have a separate room away from home and family distractions?  Do you have the office equipment required? 

Evaluation: Set a timeframe during which you and your boss can re-evaluate whether or not the new schedule is working.  3-6 months with time scheduled for interim evaluation with opportunity to discuss any problems and resolve them.  Indicate that either party can terminate the arrangement at the end of the trial period.

Job Duties: Make a list of the job duties that can be performed seamlessly from home.  Provide details of how it will be transparent to customers where applicable.  Or, if you will go part time or job share, how will work be redistributed?

Conclusion: List examples of any departments in your organization who already allow telecommuting, part time, job share, flex time.  Indicate that you feel that you have the same work ethic, etc…and are committed to making this a success.  Discuss that many organizations are now using this kind of work arrangement for recruitment and retention of high quality employees.  Discuss the decreased stress and added productivity that will result from working from home (think of examples of distractions at work that will not be present at home)

 

EP 143: Kathryn Brett Goldman Interview

EP 143: Kathryn Brett Goldman Interview

 

https://thecybermaniacs.com

Also on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheCybermaniacs where you can find a wealth of free information.

Kate is the CEO and founder of Cybermaniacs, an innovative new cyber awareness company. With over 20 years in the IT trenches, Kate brings a unique perspective from all sides of the IT/Business/Vendor equation. She has worked as the Director of a successful IT leadership consultancy, run global BRM for a major civil engineering firm, did a stint with Gartner and worked in a variety of trailblazing technology companies in the noughties. She is also a NED and Advisor to startups in the UK and US, acts as the Director of Development for the Ladies of London Hacking Society, and speaks internationally on leadership, cyber security, and technology change topics.

Her goal is to make what can be a scary topic lighter, or maybe even a bit humorous.

Cybersecurity poses a threat to all of us.  Smaller companies have been popular targets.  Often they have not done enough to guard against attacks and the cyber criminals know it.

 

She offers training services to companies to provide information in a humorous way that she hopes will inspire people to interact with their technology in a new way.

 

As an impact-maker, her biggest challenge has been juggling the duties of being a mom to 3 young kids while bootstrapping her start up.

 

To stay motivated through tough times she builds a well of positive stories.  She celebrates both large and small victories

EP 142: F It for Impact 5 in a series of 5 Fix Your Focus

Fix Your Focus

#5 in the series – F it for Impact

 

Fix Your Focus

  • In every moment opportunity to choose what you focus on – Hit will millions of pieces of data through all of our senses –
    • Notice your butt in your chair – weren’t paying attention – now you are
    • How do your feet feel in your shoes or in your socks?
  • We tell our brains what to focus on – what to leave at the ready for quick access – EVER forget to tell yourself to remember where you parked your car? It’s in there – you just didn’t file it close
  • Walking in the forest – can focus on the dirt and the soggy now rotting fallen leaves from last year – or look up to see the sun glinting through vibrant green leaves. – It’s a moment in time and we have each of those perspectives available to us. – Same is true for all moments of our lives –
  • Tony Robbins – Race Car – look at the wall – hit the wall
  • Focus on solutions not problems
  • Focus on what energizes you not what tears you down
  • Make challenges small and quick in your mind – don’t dwell on them
  • Look for what is in your control and focus there – capture your creativity – focus on the problem = zaps energy and you lose the opportunity to problem solve.

Sons young – No structure – no bedtime – didn’t focus on what was out of my control – the frustration – the mama bear wanting to come out – instead focused on a solution –