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Wherever we work, we are thriving and surviving in changing, demanding and results oriented workplaces.
Some people are leaders of this pace and some follow the lead to get things done. No matter what type of work environment you have, success takes a focus and a team. Our focus on what’s expected and what’s next at times creates an environment in which we don’t reflect on or absorb our accomplishments. Effort, accomplishment and success are important moments. Let’s take a moment in our busy worlds to consider what we are realizing.
The end of 2017 and the one-year anniversary of launching my executive coaching business have me reflecting on success. I will be the first to admit that by personality, I’m always looking forward and ready to tackle what’s next. I can quickly blow past a milestone. I am going to take time here to enjoy where my journey has taken me, and I’d like you to take some time and do the same.
Get your favourite pen. Find a nice blank piece of paper. Find a space to think and reflect. Get ready to write two lists: the first for the accomplishments you are proud of and the second for the people who have supported getting you there.
If you are like me, there are milestones you’ve forgotten about. The recall of these moments created happiness and satisfaction. When looked at in totality, the sum of the pieces feels darn good!
Do you reflect on your successes enough? Most of us don’t. For this year, why not try a couple new success tactics.
Here are ideas for you:
Keep a success folder or journal to write and file important moments
Find a success partner and share with them each moment and milestone
Create an event around your milestones: coffee breaks, happy hour, dinner, office huddles, social media groups
Write an email or blog about your success
In the moment, take a few minutes to reflect on the milestone and what helped you get there
Send an email or card to thank those who helped get you there
Schedule/time block success reflection into your calendar
What else would you add…...
It was a big year for me. Lots of learning, discomfort, happiness and success. As a new entrepreneur, I’ve done well and consider my first year a success. There are many stories of challenge and failure to get here but the important point is that I got to success.
When I did my success reflection, here’s what mine looked like:
The milestones
January 16, 2017 I launched Pivotal Coaching!
February was about my personal clients who believed in me and invested in working with me
March opened my eyes to my amazing network and the power of my business community
Toronto market opportunities and sales began in April
Expanded my work as a sub-contractor with a coach mentor
Co-bid and won a consulting and coaching statement of work
Contracted with my first subcontractor in June
Was asked to join Feed Nova Scotia Board
Was asked to join Canadian Sales Professional Association national executive committee
First Pivotal Coaching client event!
The day when Pivotal Coaching had more corporate clients than personal clients
September had a one-day event of closing two corporate clients
The moment when I confidently said, “I think I have a real business!”
Got published! Thank you the good coach.
Had a wobble with one of my engagements and worked through to learn and enable taking my business to the next level
Joined 100 Seed$ Atlantic advisory board and wrote my first sponsorship cheque
Launched and sold a new Program, Leading Growth
Working on the next chapter of strategic partnerships and co-bidding coaching programs
Enough clients and pipeline that I need to use a CRM system
The people who made it all happen
My husband who also plays the role of business advisor, champion and purveyor of wine for therapy and celebration
Our daughters who support, enquire, help, listen and are curious about my work
The family – a sister who is my marketer extraordinaire, the parents who are learning about executive coaching and my extended family, brave enough to ask how my business is
My friends…unwavering support and patience with my consuming passion
Mentors who span coaches, professional services, behavioural economists and business leaders. Each of them is associated with a milestone!
My referrers…there just wouldn’t be a business without them
Clients who believe in our work and take leadership to invest in coaching for themselves and their teams
The Pivotal Coaching community who like, comment, share and connect with me socially
My subcontractors…I could not survive without them for their expertise in marketing, human behaviour, design, social media, marketing, infographics, content editing, and admin support
My accounting and legal business advisors
My business friends who support, counsel, and champion my work every day
My business network whose gift of support is more than I imagined!
I would love to introduce you to these amazing people who contributed to my success. Connect with me to learn about them.
How did this busyness benefit my clients and the business community?
I helped 8 clients realize their next career, 9 clients improve sales success, 10 clients to be better leaders and 11 clients grow their businesses.
When I reflect on my first year, I will tell you that I’ve worked harder than I’ve ever worked. It’s the happiest I’ve worked in many years. Building an executive coaching business through corporate programs is demanding business development work. Will year 2 be easier? Parts of it will be, while the next phase will bring more learnings and discomfort. Year 2 will be about scaling, process, delivery methodology and bigger clients. I see more potential to realize and am excited for what year 2 will bring.
The content I share is heavy on goals, effort and results. As important, though not as often an occurrence, is the celebration of effort, accomplishment and success. Make sure you are doing it for yourself. Make sure you are doing it for your team.
Congratulations on your vision, goals, focus, effort, discipline, grit and success!
Interested in realizing more?
Sign up for my insights on change, growth and success: Staying in touch with Pivotal Coaching
Never perfect, never done yet we need to make time to celebrate. Enjoy your moments of success!
Lisa W. Haydon is the President and Founder of Pivotal Coaching Inc. She left her comfortable corporate career several years ago to follow her passion of helping people realize their potential and companies to realize high performance. Lisa is a growth focused entrepreneur, leadership development consultant and certified executive coach. To her clients, she brings business experience with prestigious corporations and continuous education. Lisa’s work in business operations and B to B sales expertise allowed her to create a differentiated coaching model and client experience. Lisa and Pivotal Coaching are known for 1:1 and cohort Programs in leadership development and sales effectiveness.