As readers of past blog posts know, my husband and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first baby this month.  We’re only days away at this point and can’t be more excited!

This means some temporary changes for my coaching practice and blog.  I will be away from active coaching until October when I’ll be returning part time.  And since my days will consist of feedings and diaper changing for a few months, we’ll be having a Guest Blogger Series on Success Without A Suit.  Starting next week, you’ll have the pleasure of hearing from some of my favorite colleagues and clients.  They will share personal stories, insights, and tips that I’m sure you will all enjoy and benefit from.

If you need assistance or have a question while I’m away, please send me an email, as I will be checking periodically.  In addition, I have some fabulous colleagues lined up to provide support in my absence.

I promise to keep you all updated on the baby’s arrival.  Thank you for following my blog and newsletter!

See you all again in October!
Carly

1. Connect to Your Vision: I’m staying connected to my vision of why I’m in business and doing the work I do. Getting trapped in the weeds of everyday life can disconnect you from the bigger picture. Where are you headed in your career and life?  What is the impact and legacy you want to leave?  How do the things you do every day connect you to this path?

2. Take Action: Let’s face it; fear and doubt are usually the reasons we’re holding back and not getting things done.  I know it seems counter-intuitive but flip that equation around for the breakthrough you’re in need of.  Taking action (even a single, small action) is the best cure I know to break through the paralysis of fear.  What action can you take right now to get started?  What action can you take after that?  Keep going until you have built momentum. And don’t forget to take a moment and celebrate your accomplishments each day.

3. Energize Yourself Everyday: I am making a concerted effort to add “energizers” to my day.  I know that getting out of the house and seeing friends, colleagues and clients energize me.  I also know that going for a walk, sending a handwritten note to a friend, meditating, and cooking to name a few are things that fill me up when I’m drained from a long day.  By carving out 5, 10, 30 minutes somewhere in my day to do one of these, I keep my energy up, my spirits high and I can plug away at even the most unpleasant of tasks on my to do list. What gives you energy?  How can you incorporate those things in your day?

How is your energy in 2010?  What tips do you have for your fellow readers? What are you doing to keep yourself moving forward?

Inspiration found me at 6am today.  On our daily morning walk, my friend Jane confirmed she’s leaving her job for what she’s calling a “self-imposed sabbatical.”

Layoffs were running rampant at her company and when the news came that they would affect her department, she did the unexpected and welcomed its arrival. Instead of finding a new role, she’s grabbing at the chance of taking a deep breath and finally figuring out how she wants to raise her family and have the life she wants to lead along with a career that fits into and supports her life, not consume it.

Many of you know someone like Jane or maybe you even see yourself in her.  A young, intelligent, rising star that was always full of energy and ideas to change business as usual.  She lit up a room and had the natural grace and insight that drew you in and made you determined to find out her secret.  A quick rise up the corporate ladder, national leadership roles, keynote-speaking engagements and a growing family – nothing seemed to stop her.  Or so it seemed.

About a year ago, her light began to fade. You could see exhaustion in her eyes; hear a bit of forced cheer in her voice.  Restructuring had pushed her into a role she no longer had passion for and the economic downturn seemed to close any door to change. The silent questioning had begun – is this what life is all about?  Does the company I work for support what I value?  Can I really make a difference?

Yet something got in the way of leaving the job before this point.  A “friend“ we all know and love – Fear.  Its voice was strong – “you need this job.  You have to pay the bills.  You’re lucky to have a job.  Do you know how many people would kill to have what have?  You’ll never find another job making this much money or flexibility.  You’ve only ever worked at this one company, after more than a decade at one company, you won’t be successful anywhere else. Its too hard to start over.”

When I asked her about what happened and how she found the courage to face the layoff with hope, she shared that the day had simply come and she knew it.  The risk of staying was growing greater than the risk of going. And the risk of jumping into a new job right away was greater than the risk of taking some much-needed time for self-care. She was burnt out and to continue on the way she was would lead only to more exhaustion.  Taking time to care for herself, to re-evaluate what was most important to her and align her life in a way that honors those values was the way she could find her light again.

When in alignment, the extraordinary is possible.  There is an ease and grace in all you do.  Work becomes an authentic expression of who you are and what you’re passionate about.

Aligning Your Life for Extraordinary Results
What are your top 5 values?
What can you accomplish when you are aligned with your values?
Where is your life out of alignment?
What 3 things can you change in your work or life to honor your values?