Women in leadership positions in credit unions: How to enhance YOUR life!
When I think about all the different twists and turns I have taken in my life, it sometimes makes me dizzy. Of course, when I think of everything I’ve learned and the lessons I’ve received as well as how much I’ve grown, I will say that I’m grateful for all the opportunities that have presented themselves to me.
I can remember when I left my Corporate position, I had no idea where I was going and how I would get there. It was then I decided that I needed to hire a business coach. This was a big deal to me because I had never hired a coach before, and I had no clue what to expect. I only knew that if I had a great one, my life would be enhanced…I just didn’t realize how much. Doreen helped me create my company, write a book, and develop the confidence to tell my story wherever I could. Imagine starting from zero to having tens of thousands of people that you’re connected to, 60000+ listeners to your radio show and hundreds of clients that have given you testimonials because of the work that you do. Grateful, humbled and honored…that is how one woman helped to enhance my life. Truthfully, thinking back, even staying in my Corporate position, I realized how important having a business coach would be.
So why is this important? Have you ever decided what your strengths really are and what category everything else falls into? That’s me. Anyone that really knows me will tell you that I am not a white board kind of girl. In fact, white boards make me just a bit queasy. While I do want to know how a process works, I’m really more into telling me where to show up and, I’m there fully prepared. Case in point, back to Doreen…
During our very first session, she asked me where I wanted to end up. I said, on an island owning a very exclusive bar. Kind of like Cheers on steroids. I wanted it to be the place where everyone knew your name, but it was in an area that attracted the very smart and was very discreet. Honestly, I have no clue where that even came from except that I remember watching a movie with Michelle Pfeiffer who was doing just that. Imagine the life lessons you could learn from this group of people? Anyway, Doreen asked me how I was going to get there. I said “on a plane” …she said no and asked it again and this time I responded “on a boat?” and she said no “HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THERE?” Now I understood what she meant…what was I going to do today that would enhance my life and opportunities to actually realize my goal. In my head, I was thinking it would have been so much easier if she wasn’t writing and drawing on the white board, and just having a conversation. In her mind, each addition to that white board had a meaning and while she had the legend, I simply saw hieroglyphics.
The truth is, by the end of that session, we had created Selling In A Skirt, plus a whole lot more. I had to understand the why and the how and yes…white boards were part of the puzzle. In order to enhance your life in any way, you have to be willing to take time for yourself and learn. I chose to find the time to invest in a coach…one of the single best decisions I’ve made. Finding your own time is not being selfish, and it should not have any cause for guilt. With the crazy, busy world we live in, finding time for yourself can be a huge challenge.
As women, we do experience guilt when we manage to find a few moments of time for ourselves and sometimes, we give up before we do because it doesn’t feel that it’s worth the effort. But…it is. In fact, taking time for yourself gives your brain a chance to reboot, improves your concentration, increases productivity, gives you a chance to think deeply and helps you problem solve more effectively. It also gives you a better sense of balance and self-awareness that can lead to a better understanding of yourself–what drives you, what inspires you, what excites you. And sometimes, there is a white board included.
Ready to find some time for yourself? Here are a few ideas:
- While it may be challenging with the schedules we are all keeping, you can wake up a little earlier than everyone else. This gives you a few moments of alone time to do the things that are easier to do when it’s quiet and the phone is not ringing. You can also unplug from all your electronics and spend some time like it was 1960.
- Reschedule some of your “tasks” …what is on your never-ending list that can be eliminated or consolidated? Can anything be postponed for a later date. Better yet, can you delegate? You will be able to free up some time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.
- Start small. You don’t have to find hours of alone time. With 20-30 minutes you can read a chapter of a book, meditate, take a walk or sit and simply be. When you see how much more relaxed you are, chances are you will be looking at more ways to restructure your day.
- Drop the guilt. Spending time with yourself is time well spent because it makes you a happier person to be around. Your team, both professionally and personally will see it and feel it. Spending time with yourself benefits everyone because you’re in a better frame of mind to take care of the people who are important to you. Spending time with yourself is preventative medicine to combat burnout. What good will you be to anyone if you eventually burnout?
How ever you decide to enhance your life, remember that this is YOUR time being spent. Do you know how you want to spend it? What and who are your priorities. Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind… so enjoy every moment as it comes.
