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The Key to Increased Efficiency and Well-being

This month, we’re focusing on providing additional tools to help you succeed in your roles. I recently survived three client engagements simultaneously in July, and I want to share my experiences and the lessons I learned. It was a challenging time, but it highlighted the importance of sustainable work practices.

During this hectic period, I had to communicate with my clients about reduced hours, prioritize certain clients, and dedicate specific hours to support a particular client’s team. It was hard work, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my clients.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed and time-crunched? This topic is relevant to both current and aspiring C-suite leaders, as we all experience these challenges at some point. Have you ever felt in control in the past but now find yourself unable to handle the increased responsibilities? If so, it’s important to give yourself grace and acknowledge your past successes.
 

Here are Seven Tips for Creating Successful Time Management Habits:

  • Prioritize your needs – getting clear will enable you to make better decisions.
  • Get more sleep – in the context of well-being; do what you need to maximize your energy and creativity.
  • Distill what you actually need to get done – remember to work on the urgent and what what is most valued by your team or the business.
  • Have the courage to ask for help – great leaders collaborate for a greater outcome.
  • Time Block for emails, texts, and calls vs. strategic work – building this discipline muscle will reduce your stress. 
  • Ask yourself for forgiveness when you can’t get everything done – you probably put unrealistic expectations on yourself. As a high achiever, it’s your superpower; but also your demise if you don’t forgive yourself. 
  • Take 20 minutes for yourself each day – just do it! This is one of my best suggestions for you. What do you have to lose? You’ll thank me later when you make this a habit! 

I encourage you to pause and reflect on this framework. Find strategies that resonate with you and implement them in your daily routine.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/11/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Managing the Mental Clutter

Whether it’s spending time with family, friends, or engaging in activities we enjoy, our work shouldn’t prevent us from living fulfilling lives. Failing to break the cycle of unhealthy habits can lead to burnout and ineffectiveness in achieving our goals. Trying to strike a balance can often lead to mental clutter that impacts how we view and interact with the world around us.

I’ve personally experienced feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by simultaneous tasks. It’s a common issue, especially among high performers and C-suite leaders. We often find ourselves stuck in a whirlwind of tasks, struggling to prioritize and focus on what truly matters.

To overcome this, I’ve developed a framework that helps declutter the mind and prioritize meaningful work. It includes:

  • Getting clear on daily tasks: Understand what needs to be done each day and prioritize accordingly.
  • Evaluating the work week: Look at your week as a whole and identify where your time is going.
  • Delegating and empowering others: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to your team and empower them to take ownership.
  • Questioning the value of activities: Not all tasks are equally important. Ask yourself if what you’re doing is adding value to your work or life.
  • Ensuring work habits support physical and mental well-being: Your health is crucial. Make sure your work habits aren’t negatively impacting your well-being.

I encourage you to pause and reflect on this framework. Find strategies that resonate with you and implement them in your daily routine.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/4/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Empathetic Communication

Summer is beginning to wind down, but I’m still receiving plenty of “out of office” notifications, and honestly I couldn’t be happier. I’m seeing more people prioritize their time and as a culture, I know we’re shifting to a more fulfilling way to work and live. 

It’s because of that shift that I wanted to take a moment to discuss communication and how we can be more intentional about the way we share information. Over the past few weeks I’ve shared ways to create boundaries around your own time and email habits, but today I wanted to give you a few pointers on how you can communicate in a way that allows your team to uphold those same boundaries you’re trying to implement for yourself, while still being productive. 

At the end of the day, it’s up to you as the leader to set the standard of how and when you communicate with your team. I’m hoping that these insights will give you some direction when making plans for upcoming projects.

Here are some key takeaways for creating empathetic communication habits:

  • The Power of Lean Communication: Get straight to the point in your subject lines, use concise language, and include a clear call to action. This approach not only grabs attention but also shows your commitment to helping others.
  • Start with Gratitude: Even if the previous communication wasn’t respectful, take the high road. Thank the other person for any information they provided. This sets a positive tone and fosters better results.
  • Clear Call to Action: Make it easy for others to respond and help you. Specify what you need, offer assistance, and set up a meeting to walk them through the details.
  • Respect Others’ Time: Keep emails short and to the point, with no more than five sentences. Include attachments for additional details and close with a respectful salutation.

By following this framework, you’ll not only be seen as an empathetic leader but also enjoy higher response rates. I encourage you to try these tips and see the difference they make.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 7/28/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Mastering the Art of Unplugging

This year, I’m embracing simplicity, and I’ve got three pillars to guide me: investing in myself, expanding my reach to help more of you, and prioritizing my well-being. I’m happy to report that my recent annual physical showed that these efforts are paying off!

One of the biggest challenges of prioritizing well-being can be the challenge of disconnecting from work, especially when on vacation. I’ve been there, constantly checking emails, and I know it’s a struggle. But I’ve learned that most emails can wait, and it’s all about discipline and time blocking. I’ve also learned the hard way that strategic work should be a priority. After a wake-up call in the form of a negative performance review, I took a course on understanding what’s important versus urgent and developed new strategies.

Here are a few of my top tips for prioritizing and managing time in the summer:

  • Take stock of your current workload and prepare your backup for your time away. It’s never too early to make sure your replacement has all of the information they need to be successful.
  • Prepare for your vacation by reaching out to your customers and internal stakeholders beforehand. Introduce them to your backup to ensure business continuity and peace of mind for everyone involved.
  • Try turning off your phone in the middle of the day. It’s a game-changer. You’ll be able to focus on creating lasting memories with your loved ones and leave a positive impression on those around you.

Remember, it’s not about being on top of your email, but about creating meaningful experiences. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 7/21/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Why Do We Struggle to Take Vacations?

Vacations are not just a luxury, they are a necessity. Over the years I have realized that if I truly want to maintain consistency and productivity, I have to schedule mandatory breaks in my schedule. 

If you’re wondering why it seems so difficult to pry yourself away from work for more than a few hours at a time, you’re not alone. In fact, a Harvard study of 60,000 CEOs found that while they worked an average of 9.7 hours a day, over 70 percent of reported vacation days still included at least 2.5 hours of work. So even when they were supposedly taking a break, leaders were still checking in via email, taking work calls, and generally performing business. Sound familiar? 

It’s time to question our resistance to taking vacation and fully embrace the benefits that come with relaxation.

If you find yourself hesitant to submit your PTO request, I’ve got a framework of questions for you to reflect on:

  • How does it feel to have a clear mind?
  • How can you get more time for clarity? 
  • How do you define yourself?
  • How does your work define you?
  • What would happen if you took time off?
  • Would your team survive without you?
  • Have you set them up for success without you? 
  • Is your leadership style preventing you from taking a vacation?
  • What would life look like if you weren’t so tired? 

The answers to these questions will help you gain a better understanding of what’s holding you back from taking time away from your job and where you can start making decisions that move you forward.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action.

I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 7/14/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success.

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Strategies for Staying Focused While Everyone’s on Vacation

As we all know, summer brings with it a whole new set of challenges when it comes to getting things done. The sun is shining, the beach is calling, and it feels like everyone and their dog is on vacation. It’s no wonder our productivity takes a hit during this time of year.

For example, I am having a challenge with a client, this client and trying to schedule a kickoff meeting. I’ve been met with vacations and all kinds of scheduling issues. In the end, the Project Lead agreed to push it off an entire month when we knew everyone was back from vacation. While it didn’t meet my own self-imposed sense of urgency, it was more important for the entire team to be present and rested. After all, the greater calling is to have people present and engaged. Starting something in haste just to check it off your list is not the true purpose. Your purpose is to guide others. And sometimes the timing may be different than when you planned it. You have to accept this. 

You cannot always be in control, but you can be in control of your discipline and patience with the process. When you start later, you’ll have the opportunity to show your skills and your leadership because you were patient with when to start the process. Leaders need discipline to know that timing is everything and sometimes the greater need for your people is patience.

Here’s a simple framework for practicing patience as a leader during the summer months:

Step 1: Accept the Situation

First things first, let’s acknowledge the reality of the situation. It’s summer, people are out enjoying their time off, and that means things might move a bit slower. Instead of fighting against it, embrace it. Accept that things may take longer than usual and use this as an opportunity to practice patience and flexibility.

Step 2: Take an Inventory of Your Goals

Now that we’ve accepted the summer slowdown, it’s time to reassess our goals. Take a moment to reflect on what you want to achieve during this period and prioritize your tasks accordingly. Maybe there are some projects that can be put on hold until things pick up again, or perhaps you can focus on those independent tasks that have been lingering on your to-do list.

Step 3: Get Back on Track

Okay, so we’ve accepted the situation and reevaluated our goals. Now it’s time to get back on track. Look at your schedule and identify those pockets of time where you can really make progress. Maybe it’s early mornings or late evenings when the distractions are minimal. Whatever it is, carve out that dedicated time for focused work and make the most of it.

Step 4: Catch Up on Independent Work

Summer is the perfect time to tackle those solo projects that require your undivided attention. With fewer interruptions and distractions, you can finally dive deep into that research, write that article, or revamp your website. Use this time to power through those tasks that don’t necessarily require the input or availability of others.

Step 5: Embrace the Personal

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to embrace the personal side of summer. Take advantage of those longer evenings and sunny weekends to recharge your batteries and indulge in activities you enjoy.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 7/7/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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The Most Practical Framework for Assessing Your Career Goals

So often, we hustle and try to get the work done. We cover for people that are on vacation. We’re so busy trying to keep all the balls moving that we forget that we as leaders need time to pause and reflect. Are you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps in your career or business? Sometimes the most important thing you can do to move forward is taking breaks and zooming out to gain clarity and focus.

The hard truth is that if you fail to take breaks, circumstances may provide one for you. I never used to own up to this. I have been let go from jobs a handful of times, and I can tell you the time off was life changing for me. When I got away from the work at hand, I gained so much clarity. Each time I had to dust off my resume or pause to think about my guiding principles for the new opportunity that I was seeking, I gained so much insight. When you’re in a job and you’re zoomed in all the time, you don’t take the time to assess where you’re going. If you need to slow down or speed up or change course, it’s best to do it intentionally before life does it for you.  

I remember being let go from a job that I probably shouldn’t have taken to begin with, but the money was good. I soon realized that I would not pursue that line of work in the future because it did not feed my soul. And quite frankly, I was miserable. These breaks are so important, yet fail to take them intentionally. We would rather wait for life happens to us and reflect when we’re in crisis.

If you want to be intentional about your next break, I’ve created a simple framework to make the most of your time:

  • Ask your boss for feedback: Ask what you can start doing, stop doing, and change in order to be more successful in your current position.
  • Give actionable feedback: When sharing your observations with your team, make sure there are tangible outcomes for them to pursue. 
  • Identify your actions: Listen to feedback and choose 1 or 2 actions you can take in the next quarter and focus solely on those things.
  • Make those actions a habit: Once you’ve gone to all the effort of making a change, hold yourself accountable to make that change a habit for long-term success. Deb shares her personal experiences and provides a framework for setting intentions, assessing progress, and making changes. By focusing on one or two changes at a time, you can celebrate your progress and stay on course towards your goals.

In a world that values hustle and constant productivity, it’s easy to forget the importance of taking breaks and gaining clarity. It’s essential for leaders to reflect on their actions and make changes when necessary. So take a deep breath and zoom out. Your career or business will thank you for it.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 6/23/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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How are you being disruptive vs. being disrupted?

While technology can be disruptive, I want to remind people to stay the course with your vision and don’t be distracted by what “everyone else” is doing.

I’m probably late to the game with AI and I should educate myself on the benefits and challenges.

But while other people are jumping on the bandwagon and creating initiatives to react to the disruption, how many of you are disciplined to take in the new information, take time to process it and respond responsibly to it while staying true to what you are doing.

Following the crowd positions you to be always behind.

Being a responsible leader and forging ahead with your mission while making concisous decisions about how to apply the disrpuption will put you in the lead and other will turn around and try to catch up to you.

Remember, there are always disruptions and crisis and pandemics and acts of mother nature that we’re conditioned to react based on humanity’s need to survive.

But remember, some of what you do is in your control.

Follow your way and not that of others.

I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, because I know I’ll never win with that strategy.

Creating my own disruptive category “The Drop In CEO”; serving C-Suite Leaders of Today and Tomorrow to Navigate Challenges with Confidence, sets me apart from Fractional Leader, Consultants or Business Advisors.

I’d love to hear your reaction #linkedin and the rest of the #dropinceo community.

Friday thoughts while I procrastinate starting my day! -Deb

#ai#csuiteleaders

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Three Questions to Set the Stage for Q2 Like a CEO

My first quarter has been absolutely amazing! I’ve been true to my theme of Simplicity and focusing on the levers to grow my business: investing in my business, my reach and my well being. I’m pleased to share that we’ve been moving forward according to plan, but amidst my joy I contemplate about how others are doing. I’ve seen so many people focus on their 1st quarter only to see their best laid plans start to fall apart and then they repeat the cycle of hurry up with activity vs. reflecting and asking well placed questions. When we think vs. just do, we get focused and back on track must faster and here’s how: 

 How are you feeling?

   Excited, accomplished or frustrated, tired and feeling off track?

 I was feeling off track this month and realized I had to finalize my goals and actions. Now that I have my monthly goals set and my weekly & daily accountability tracking, I feel like I’m set up for success and realizing peace of mind.  I start here, because if you don’t analyze your gut, mind & heart about achieving your goals,  we need to make quick course corrections now.

After working with a client for about 3 months, I asked them how they felt. They said things seemed calm and felt good about working on strategic work vs getting caught up in the weeds. I was grateful for the feedback and was rooted in needed accountability processes to manage the chaos. Feeling is a good barometer, but we always need to know that things are going well.

    What are others saying about your Q1?

 If you’re projecting your goals and regularly communicating them, stakeholders will respond to you. It may show up such as “How can I help?” or “can I get a copy of that report?” or “can you come and present that at our next meeting?”, or “can I provide you some feedback”. When the world is responding, it’s a good indicator you’re focused. 

As a bonus, I propose you journal these events. When we take note of how others are responding to you, it reinforces these behaviors. It also provides self feedback on what to continue, start or change. It may be that you’re getting lots of attention in one area, but not so much in another area; you have an opportunity to course correct in multiple areas. Leaders do this over and over as part of their personal development. 

Are you still passionate about the work?

 If you’re not, your energy will wane and so will the project. Ask yourself what is hard, challenging, or areas where you’re not confident. This is the time to speak to your inner circle just to validate you’re still on track. Sometimes talking to someone else will give you clarity and the passion will come back. If you are passionate, move on. If not, when were you passionate and what changed? (failure to delegate, lack of support).

THE CEO’s COMPASS is a great tool to help you see where you’re off track

Are you capable of getting the work done or do you need help?

 So many leaders feel a sense of pride to do it alone. Please don’t wait too long for technical support. I call this corporate courage; when leaders find the strength to ask for help the moment they feel it in their gut they’re off track. I find leaders simply need a place to talk through the challenges and why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leader support. To learn more about our next event, you can visit our page and register. 

Now that I’ve shared with you some questions to confirm if you’re focused and on track, let me know about your conclusions. If you are on track, let’s celebrate together! If you’re not on track, who could you turn to for support? Do you have a colleague, a mentor or an accountability partner? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Message me and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Secrets Behind the CEO’s Task List

A C-Suite task list is a balance between strategic work, tactical work and personal development. Studies show at the C-Suite level the balance should be 70/20/10, but depending on the season it can vary. High performers love tactical work. The quick wins of putting out fires and completing tasks can easily throw the schedule off balance. When you stay consistently in the tactical work and never return back to the steady state of 70% working on the future, things get off track.

I used to get stuck in the tactical, but soon learned I lacked skills in prioritization, decision logic and how to not procrastinate on strategic projects; breaking them down into bite size chunks. That’s where leaders fail as did I, but now I have some tips to help you stay in this zone. 

Before I continue, ask yourself:

  • Why don’t you stay in the zone of 70/20/10?
  • Is it easy to check the box on tactical work and you lack the skills for strategic work? 
  • I also ask you if you’re up to the C-Suite role or not? 

If you like the tactical work and find your value in being a SME and go to person, then accept your place and be fine with it. We sometimes think we need to do more, but if where you’re at is just fine, then you can stop here. But if not, let’s talk more about the secrets of the CEO task list.

Framework:

  • It’s not a task list, it’s your performance management system! We set up these systems for the front line, but why not you? It sounds like leader standard work from the lean world and it is, but I’m breaking it down for you to make it easy.
  • Qualify the 5-8 Projects you have to move forward or continue to monitor. Qualifying them will help you to stay focused and strive for 70% strategic, 20% tactical, and 10% personal development
  • It has to be achievable. Set your battle plan for the day or I suggest the week. We don’t get everything done each day, giving ourselves grace, but by the end of the week, we should get it done.
  • Put everything you get done on the list. Disruptions happen for which we address, but never credit ourselves for crossing it off. We have to see what we actually get done in a day and give ourselves a high five when we get 80% done!
  • Cross it off and feel good. When you get to the end of the week, ask yourself if you feel accomplished and did you move the needle in your strategic work? If yes, celebrate. If not, do you have the right things on your list? It’s a constant reminder to evolve your daily / weekly plan and get it right.
  • Reminder: As you look at your next week and assess how much you were able to accomplish the prior week, do you need to have every meeting, do you need to do everything on the list or delegate it? You want to increase your % of success each week so you’re performing at the C-Suite level.

On a personal note, so many people ask how do you do it all? I don’t always get it all done for which I’ve raised the white flag for help. More importantly, I’ve stopped, reassessed and peeled things away or reset my priorities. No C-Suite leader has all the answers nor is it perfect. But they’re resilient, they experiment, they learn from what worked well and what did not, refine rinse & repeat.

I would love to continue this conversation with you via DM. It’s really me on the other side of that screen, no bots, no gimmicks. Message me your questions and I can send you a short voice message with my thoughts.

·   Thank you and much success!

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