Some Things Are Changing Around Here....

Some Things Are Changing Around Here.... If you read my post about my 2013 year in review and looking forward to 2014, you learned that my new mantra from 2014 is What can I say no to? Saying no is extremely hard for me and I wind up with way too many things on my plate.  I learned this the hard way in 2013 and am determined to make 2014 the year to simplify and focus. Part of this is simplifying my business and focusing on the type of work that I really want to do. What made me start thinking about saying no is when I heard Bob Goff, author of Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, say that he quits something every Thursday. At first, it seemed crazy, but then I made a list of all of the things that I wanted to quit and said why not? But, dont get me wrong. I am not a quitter! I am only quitting things that are in the way of the big goals and dreams that I have this year.  I am quitting the things that are holding me back. I am quitting the things that have caused many other bloggers and new business owners to just flat out quit their entire businesses.  I have to quit some things so I can focus on doing my best work and making it even better. Whats Changing: 1) One of the things that I will say no to in 2014 is job search coaching. This was a really hard decision. For the past three years I have offered job search, resume, and interview preparation coaching to my clients. I have loved every second of the work I have done but with my book coming out, I have realized that my passions and focus are changing. My new 2014 individual coaching spots will now only be for mid to high-level leaders looking for leadership development, time management, communication and stress management techniques to upgrade their leadership and accelerate their career success. BUT DON’T WORRY if you are a job searcher!!  There is tons of great information right here on the blog for job searchers. Here are a few of my favorites: Writing a Resume The Complete Guide 10 Best Resume Templates How to Efficiently Search for a Job Online 2) If you have read my blog for awhile you know that there isnt a Monday that goes by that doesnt have my Monday Motivation career links. I get a lot of great feedback on them (and a BIG THANKS to my assistant, Lor, who helps me find awesome links!) but I just have this feeling like its time to change. Out with the old, in with the new. I need to create space so that other blog posts and articles can be written. I am ALWAYS posting links to great articles on Twitter and Facebook so make sure you follow me there to get the latest motivation everyday. 3) There will also be changes to the Get Ahead Club in 2014 that I cant announce yet. But that doesnt mean you shouldnt join us for some fabulous interviews with some of my all-time favorite career authors in January and February. UmmGail Evans and Dr. Lois Frankel!  Someone pinch me! 4) I have a really big personal thing happening this year, but I cant share yet! I know the suspense is killing yousorry! ?? Whats Not Changing: 1) My weekly career report delivered to your inbox with free content and tips not on the blog. The content of the newsletters this year will be focused on how to become an effective female leader. If you arent a leader yet, I highly encourage you to sign up and read the articles. The best way to become a great leader is to start acting one like now. I believe that you can start leading at any level you are at. I have led a lot of my bosses and clients in the past even though there were much higher than me on the totem pole.  Make sure you sign up for my FREE leadership course and my weekly career report here. 2) Blog posts throughout the week. I am not sure how many days yet.it may not be every weekday like it has in the past. What matters to me this year is quality over quantity. 3) Blog posts from yours truly! Yay!  Since I made the commitment to start saying no, I stopped teaching as a Professor this year.  This clears up more room in my schedule for writing in 2014 which I am really excited about! Your Homework: This is new too! At the end of each post, I am going to give you homework this year. So todays homework is to make a list of all of the items that you want to say no to.  Then, try to eliminate them from your schedule by delegating them or just letting them go if they arent necessary anymore. When I did this, I realized that there were a lot of things I thought I HAD to do but I really didnt have to.  Another way you can do this is to make a long list of everything you hate doing during your day. Then figure out how you can take them off your plate. This way you can clear time for the things in your life that you really enjoy doing AND that you are good at! This is the secret to your success in 2014. What can you eliminate? Whats on your no list?