The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: August 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Yes the economy sucks-but how is your attitude?

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Yes the economy sucks-but how is your attitude?: The economy sucks. We all know it. We hear it every day, we read it in every paper, and we feel it in our retirement accounts...

Yes the economy sucks-but how is your attitude?

The economy sucks. We all know it. We hear it every day, we read it in every paper, and we feel it in our retirement accounts. But-come on folks, the economy is not responsible for everything. I recently had a conversation with a potential client who explained to me that her extreme unhappiness and disdain for her current job was a result of the loss of equity in her house. Which of course was due to the bad economy. Say what? So much for personal responsibility. It is starting to feel as if we are sloughing every responsibility off on the economy. So, today’s blog is a look at the economy through the other end of the spectrum- five great things about today’s economy.

#1- The tight job market is forcing people to evaluate their job choices and pursue jobs that appeal to them personally rather then following like lemmings to jobs that are reported to pay well. A happier work force is a great thing in my book.

#2- Families are discovering new and creative ways to enjoy one another’s company rather than purchasing the vacation-in-a-box amusement park options. I have seen three recent articles in my local paper about day trips for families or other creative ways to get away without spending a bundle. Creativity-another great!

#3-Small businesses are opening up in record fashion. The most recent stats I have seen show small businesses are growing at double digit pace from this time in 2007. Small businesses make an immediate impact on their local economies. They diversify our economy and create jobs. And, fingers crossed, this will also mean more Mom & Pop restaurants.

#4-Businesses have had to tighten their belts, re-evaluate their priorities, and dump the busy work. Everyone is doing more with less. As businesses are re-creating strategic plans with fewer headcount, the work that was keeping people busy but not moving the ball is being dumped. As anyone that has ever had to create spread sheets that no one reads, attended a meeting with no real purpose, or been assigned to a pet project with no objective knows, less busy work and more substantive work is a wonderful thing.

#5-We have rediscovered our tribal instincts. In 2007 when money was flowing and deals were happening, it was easy to fly solo. Now, there is a new movement toward doing things as a group. It is as if our survival instincts from cave man days have kicked back in and people are migrating toward tribes. I see this particularly pronounced when it comes to women. You cannot walk ten feet without meeting someone who is involved in a women’s group of some sort. Women are rising up to the occasion by supporting one another. I have heard it described as the era of women. Whatever it is-I am loving it. But, men do not fret; there are tribes for you too. Be wary of navigating the economic waters of 2011 solo, instead go find your tribe. Find a group that will help you build your business, improve your skill, and thrive in this wild economy.

I hope today’s blog made you chuckle, gave you pause, and more importantly caused you to question your own attitude. Rainmakers thrive in any economy. They understand they cannot control circumstances but they can control their attitude. If your attitude is not one that others want to “catch,” STOP. Do not pass go. Do not interact with clients, perspective clients, or anyone else. Go back to the drawing board and find a way to create a positive attitude. Your attitude is your calling card. You need a great one!

Don't forget your umbrella, I see rain in your forecast.

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reachJonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.

Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 22, 2011. Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you. Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: What can you learn about your career from a hairy ...

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: What can you learn about your career from a hairy ...: " Thursday, I had one of the most surreal moments of my coaching life. I was teaching a women’s class about finding your..."

What can you learn about your career from a hairy man and a Speedo?

Thursday, I had one of the most surreal moments of my coaching life. I was teaching a women’s class about finding your professional fire. The class takes place early in the morning and is held in a conference room at an attendee’s office. Thursday we were in the midst of the class when a gentleman abruptly opens the door to the conference room and asks what we are up to. I tell him it is a class. Undeterred by his obvious interruption, he proceeds to tell us that his 50^th birthday is coming up and that he is going to wear a Speedo on the beach to celebrate. After a few moments of discussion about the Speedo and the man’s hairy chest, the gentleman asks about the topic of our class. Apparently he found the topic intriguing because the next thing I know, he asks if he can sit down and share a few thought on the matter. Normally, I would have redirected the gentleman or simply asked him to leave. But, this gentleman was a little different, he was Robert Sarver, the CEO of Alliance Bank and owner of the Phoenix Suns and we were sitting in HIS conference room.

So, Robert sits down and he proceeds to share with us some very insightful advice about having a happy career. He makes it a point to tell us that no amount of money or professional success will make you happy; happiness in an internal job. He also explains how he worked hard to get to his current position and some of the best moments along the way involved working hard while being surrounded by good people. He tells us good people are they key to good business. He shared with us his concerns about being a good father as he is able to provide ample resources for his children but that he worries every day about over-indulging them. He talks about the ups and downs of all careers, relationships, and life. He tells us that whatever choices you make, you have to be able to live with yourself so don’t play in the grey areas. For fifteen minutes, this very busy man shared his time and his wisdom with a complete group of strangers. From making decisions that his deceased father would approve of, to withstanding public scrutiny, Robert shared it all. Then, as abruptly as he came in, he stands, wishes us all well and leaves.

After he leaves, I look around the room at the shock, delight, and confusion on the faces of the women. In the wake of his departure, we have a very meaningful conversation about the wisdom of his words and the application to our careers. We had a fantastic discussion about the many gems that he shared with us and how to act upon his words. Here are the take-aways I found within his words

1. It is up to you if you want to be happy

2. Career satisfaction involves understanding your personal values and living them ever day. (some of Robert’s values are integrity, family, and connectedness)

3. We are all human-success doesn’t change our basic needs.

4. If you have something to say- Speak up. Even when you are not invited to do so. You never know whose life you will touch with your words!

5. If you are a man over 25 and you want to wear a Speedo, please find a good waxer.

As I am sure you can imagine, after Robert left the agenda for the class was completely shot. But, what a fabulous way to spend our time together. I cannot wait until the next hairy man with a Speedo interrupts my class!

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Maximize your time to maximize your success

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Maximize your time to maximize your success: " Wake up before dawn. Hurry to shower and get dressed before kids wake up. Wake up kids. Yell, plead, and cry to get kids read..."

Maximize your time to maximize your success

Wake up before dawn. Hurry to shower and get dressed before kids wake up. Wake up kids. Yell, plead, and cry to get kids ready and out the door on time. Scurry from room to room to gather stuff, scoop up kids who have now wandered back into the house, and get into car. Speed to school to avoid the tardy slip and the accompanying parent walk into the office (as that will eat up even more time.) Drop kids, drive like maniac to get to office in time for first conference call. Get to office- run from fire to fire. After 10 hours of fires, drive like maniac to pick up kids before day care closes and you are tagged with a late fee. Hurry home. Rush around to get dinner started and homework underway. Speed through evening process- dinner, bath, clean up house. Back to work for another hour or two. Fall into bed exhausted and set the alarm to do it all again tomorrow.

If any of the above sounded even remotely familiar-it is time to grab a hold of your calendar with both fists and regain control of your schedule and your life.

Calendars are meant to be a tool to HELP you not a navigation system for finding the next fire. From one over-achiever to another, trust me you really cannot do it all and the way you are currently managing your time is not working.

Many professionals are superb at managing time when someone else is involved but do not respect or honor their own time. Let me walk you through an example of this.

Here is today’s to-do list:

1. Schedule a meeting with a former client (former client is not expecting your call)

2. Attend a monthly networking lunch

3. Coffee with a friend from out of town who wants to talk to you about joining the local fundraising committee.

4. Catch up on monthly time sheets so that you are not under the gun on the 31^st (reminder-today is August 8^th) as you are leaving town the next day.

5. Conference call with two other participants.

It is Monday and true to form, your day goes sideways. You find yourself in a situation where you only have time to complete two of the items on your to-do list Which ones do you complete?

If you are like most of the busy professionals I know, you probably selected items #3 and #5 since those items involve interaction with someone else. 99% of you probably decided to spend the time to meet with the friend about the local fundraising committee-even though you do not want to join the fundraising committee and don’t have time for the committee because you respect your friend’s calendar and you don’t want to waste his/her time by canceling at the last minute. (Take a moment and ponder the truth of this. Scary-huh?)

Some of you may have considered items #1 and #2 but I doubt anyone chose item #4. Even though, completing item #4 will mean avoiding fires on the 31^st as you are trying to get out of town for that last summer vacation. I know-you are thinking yeah but the time sheets can be completed tomorrow or another day. You are right IF you make them a priority and honor your time and complete them. Most of you will continue to let the time sheets slide until the 31^st. The result will be a hair on fire, running like a mad man sort of day on the 31^st that may even bleed into your otherwise relaxing (and clearly much needed) vacation.

If you are tired of running around crazed searching for an extra few minutes of time-start making better choices about your time. Choose to respect and honor your own time as much as you respect and honor others. Choose to complete the items on your daily to do list that are mission critical to you. We cannot create more time. We all have the same 24 hours. The only difference between those who achieve massive success and happiness with their 24 hours and those who spend their 24 hours running around from meeting to meeting gasping for air as they arrive five minutes late for each appointment is choice. Before you schedule that next meeting, say yes to the next committee, or sign up for the PTA-step back and think about what you really want out of life. Is saying yes to these opportunities moving you forward? If not-politely decline. You will be saying no to the opportunity but yes to a life!

Need some help on additional strategies to maximize your time? Visit my website http://www.jonellevold.com or consider the upcoming STMA class.

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Learn to love Mondays

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: You love Fridays-but what about Mondays? Part 2: " Good morning Rainmakers-it is here. Monday morning has arrived. Did you meet it with dread and apprehension about the upcoming..."