Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. I hope you are enjoying the holidays and have a safe and happy New Year.
The end of November and December were very active. I was surprised at how busy I was with meetings right up to the weekend before Christmas. That is unusual but a good sign that you all are ready to create some big things in 2019.
The Create and Achieve Goals that Are Worthy of You workshop was so much fun and the feedback was incredibly helpful. What was clear was that we needed more time - duly noted!
I also attended and conducted round tables at The Massachusetts Conference for Women. With over 12,000 people in attendance that day it made for a high energy event. As someone put it, “It was overwhelming in all the good ways.”
What was really gratifying for me was, as a speaker, I was invited to have my books sold in the bookstore and they sold out. I can’t tell you how amazed and delighted I was. Many things validated for me that I was with my people. Not just women, but go-getting women who are eager to participate fully in their growth and development.
Now I’m spending some time unplugged with my family and friends. I’m spending some time resting and finalizing my goals for next year and I’ll share more about that in the next episode which will be releasing in a couple weeks.
For now, let’s get caught up on how my 2018 goals landed.
To catch up anyone who is new to the Women Taking the Lead podcast, last December I did a series of episodes to walk everyone through my goal setting process and I used myself as an example to take you through all the steps.
I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals.
This episode is the progress report on my goals through December.
During the Goal setting series I identified four focus areas that were important to me this year and each area has a specific goal assigned to it.
Because I was struggling a little bit with this goal I also created 4 sub-goals in June. These sub-goals are, by year end:
November’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $1822.98. I did not meet the average $6800 net profit I’m was looking for each month this year and I’ve been reflecting on this and actively talking to coach colleagues of mine about this concern.
There were some things missing in the attainment of this goal but it was not a lack of effort or activity that was the problem. I worked HARD to achieve this goal and applied many strategies that got some traction, but not enough. There were 3 things missing that got in the way of my achieving this goal.
I accomplished my goal to do 1000 chest-to-ground burpees back in October but I have yet to do the unassisted pull-up.
Although I have continued to do pull-us with a band as a part of my workout I was not driven to accomplish this goal by year-end. I did not have the same drive and passion for the pull-up that I had for the burpees. This tells me that this goal was chosen more for my ego than to be in alignment with living the life I want to live. I’ll continue to incorporate pull-ups in my weekly routine but I’m likely going to let the task of doing the unassisted pull-up go.
Who knows, this may come back sometime in the future and if I happen to hit the goal in the course of getting more fit, I will let you know.
Although I did not accomplish this goal this year, working toward this goal definitely got me out of my comfort zone and caused a lot of growth for me.
I am much more aware of what I am looking for in a partner at this stage in my life and just recently I had a huge “ah-ha” seeing myself falling into a now-familiar pattern of settling for something casual, hoping that something will change in the near future. It never does.
Note to self: If they are not in, I’m out!
As my sister reminds me, “stay open, stay available, stay vulnerable. There is someone out there for you.” I believe that, and that it’s only a matter of time and as hard as it can be to remain open, available and vulnerable, that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m going to focus on being me and having fun. That’s actually what my focus for 2019 is going to be. Being me and having fun with everything I do.
Success! I checked this goal off this month and am considering some smaller workshops in the future.
My Mom is doing much better now that the chemo is working its way out of her body. She is getting her strength and appetite back. She will be having Lasik surgery on both eyes and once she is healed from that her radiation treatments will begin. Oy!
As always I hope this update was of value to you and here’s to your success!
Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make!
Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you!
Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!
Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. I have a special episode for you this week. As we are heading into the New Year and you are visualizing and commenting to what you want to create in the coming year I thought we could get some inspiration from some of my recent guests. I hope you are as energized and inspired by their words as I am.
201: Dana Malstaff on Seeing Your Value as a Mom and Businesswoman
“Ah, but a man's [or woman’s] reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?” ~ Robert Browning
202: Elizabeth Williams-Riley on Being Open to Loving Everyone
“You never know how much your past will affect your future until it shows up in your present.” ~ Elizabeth Williams-Riley
americanconferenceondiversity.org
203: Rene Brent on Happiness & Subconscious Mind
“Do something every day that scares you.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
PracticeHappyNow.com
ReneBrentHypnosis.com
204: Tara Lynn Foster on Situational Confidence
“Fear is stupid, so are regrets.” ~ Marilyn Monroe
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipains 4:6-7
205: Lee Hews on Leading with Action
“It’s all about balance.” ~ Lee Hews
206: Kara Lamerato on Owning You are a Leader
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” ~ Rosa Parks
207: Ariana Sylvester on Not Wanting to Be a Burden
“Be the kind of leader that you would follow.”
208: Jen Hecht on Similarities Between Business & Dating
“Let’s get it together, sisters!”
209: Lolly Daskal on How Curiosity & Self-Reflection Can Set You Free
“Greatness is a destiny that is available to anyone. We just have to choose it."
210: Erin Robbins on How to Give So Everyone Wins
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” ~ Thomas Edison
211: Kara Snyder on How to Overcome Type-A Burnout
“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.” ~Colette
212: Jen Glantz on Creating a Unique Business
“Never, never, never give up”
213: Lindsey Anderson on Being Truthful with Yourself
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” ~ Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple.
214: Andi Simon on Making Change a Doable Opportunity
“We take observation into innovation.”
215: David Lee on Creating Safety in Conversations
“Better results require better conversations.”
216: Stephanie Breedlove on Turning Point Moments
“Never allow a person to tell you no who does not have the power to say yes.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
217: Lynda Adams on Being Mindful of Those Who Influence You
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
218: Diane Gardner on How to Stop Believing the Lies
“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.”
219: Maggie Patterson on the Value of Unplugging
“I run this day. This day does not run me, because otherwise, chaos will ensue.”
220: Joe De Sena on How to Begin Believing You Can
“It could be worse.”
221: Alison Cardy on Walking Toward Fear
“Your real life, your whole life is worth getting your heart broken a few thousand times.” ~ Martha Beck
222: Rita Morales on Leaping to Big and Scary
“You are enough.”
223: Naomi Amat on the Need to Nourish Yourself
“By nurturing you, you can better nurture your family too.”
224: Lisa Woodruff on Leaning In To What You Are Good At
“Done is better than perfect.”
“Progress over perfection.”
225: Megan Kelly on Creating the Experiences You Want to Have
“Better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
“Nevertheless, she persisted.”
226: Jenn Aubert on Identifying How You Want to Be of Service
“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
227: Elizabeth Moss on Challenges Creating Opportunities for a Thriving Art Gallery
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
elizabethmossgalleries.com/about
228: Amanda O’Brien on Being a Leader Who Serves a Community
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.”
229: Kelly Roach on Respecting the Stages of Entrepreneurship
“Be the best that you can be in everything that you do.”
230: Carol Mitchell on Breaking Female Stereotypes
“What do you care what other people think?” ~ Richard Feynman
231: Jen Brown on Making Moves When You Feel It
“You aren’t pizza. You won’t please everyone.”
232: Christina Vinters on What’s Possible When You Shed Self-Limiting Beliefs
“If you want to fly, give up what weighs you down.” ~Toni Morrison
233: Katie Krimitsos on Becoming the Version of You Who Can
“Stay in your lane.”
234: Katie Allen on Being Both Planner & Risk Taker
“The two most important days of your life are the day that you’re born and the day you figure out why.” ~ Mark Twain
235: Hira Ali on Believing “You’ve Got This!”
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford
236: Maegan Watson on Evolving Your Business
“We are not given dreams or ideas without the ability to create them. We are not given the vision of ourselves without the bravery to being this vision to life. All you have to do is tell yourself that you are worth it, over and over.”
237: Melissa Hereford on How to Get What You Want
“The only thing to fear is fear itself.” ~ FDR
“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the slide, overthinking it. You have to go down the shoot.” ~ Tina Fey
238: Sari de la Motte on Trusting Your Gut
“People won’t remember what you said, but they’ll remember what they felt.” ~ Maya Angelou
239: Giovanna Capozza on Finding Your Meaning of Happiness
“You’re not doing this alone.”
240: Lynette Delane on “You Don’t Need that Piece of Paper!”
“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” ~ Brene Brown
241: Anne L’Heureux on Empowering Those You Lead
“Do and believe that which leads you to your goals.” ~ Tom Bilyeu
242: Alissa Daire Nelson on Not Feeling Good Enough
“Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.”
243: Elizabeth Ross Holmstrom on Using Mindfulness to Combat Stress
“There’s no such thing as a weird human being, it’s just that some people might require more understanding than others.” ~ Tom Robbins
244: Suzanne Anderson on the Evolution of Women
“The place life calls you to, where the most aliveness is, is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~ Frederick Buechner
245: Brian Ligotti on Rethinking What You “Have To” Do
“I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think” ~ Rumi
246: Kristy Wallace on Finding Balance by Releasing Perfection
“Love what you do.”
248: Angela Lussier on Speaking Your Voice
“Stop waiting. Start creating.”
249: Keisha Reynolds on the Valuable Risk to Be You
“There is something inside of us that transcends the human experience of race, and culture, and class, and for me that’s the human spirit.”
250: Alexa Gilmore on Coming Back to Your Body
“Be the first.
The first to say hello.
The first to compliment the other person.
The first to give credit.
The first to say sorry.
The first to offer to help.
The first to show up for someone else.
The first to set an example.
The first to offer hope.
The first to shine.
Be the first.”
~ Chris Winfield
251: Kelly Gushue on Helping Women to Succeed
“Carpe Diem.” ~Horace
252: Randi Levin on Living Your Legacy
“We tend to think of our legacy as something we leave behind at the end of our lives, but what would you do differently today if you believed that you had the choice to carve out exactly what you wanted that legacy to be in real time? Manifest that concept and magically you do have that choice. You are your own GPS in your life. Start by having a voice. Say yes by listening to that voice. What’s next? Now is your new next.”
If you loved this episode you are also going to love The Quotes From the First 100 Episodes and Another 100 Quotes to Take on the Go.
If you listened to this episode and got fired up to make things happen in the coming year but you are feeling lost or doubtful around how to make it happen, reach out to me. You can find me at jodi@womentakingthelead.com. I would love to hear from you and help you to achieve all your goals this year.
As always, I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success.
Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make!
Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you!
Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!
Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!
There is a lot of competition in the online space and in the current job market. It can be difficult to distinguish yourself from others using the same strategies that have been around for decades. Even with the growing number of podcasts being launched daily there is still a barrier to entry and sustainability – making it the PERFECT way to stand out of the crowd if you’re willing to apply tried and true methods that simplify the process and attract the perfect audience for you.
Take some time to consider the following questions and journal your answers.
1. What do I want to be known for?
Before you can amplify your personal brand be very clear on what your personal brand is all about. This information will give you topic ideas and narrow the focus of what you cover so you are know for exactly what you want to be known for.
WTL example: I want to be known as a woman that helps other women own their power, step up as leaders in their own life, and go after what they want.
2. Who do I want to reach? Who is my ideal audience?
Is your audience the movers and shakers in your industry? Are you trying to reach your ideal customers? Are you looking to develop those who will come after you? Being very clear on who you want for your audience will help you to customize information and develop a format that will engage the people you want to engage.
WTL example: My ideal audience is women who are Type A. They are the ambitious entrepreneurs and the high performers within organizations. They've had a successful career but they are working really hard and getting burnt out by all the work; they long for success to be easier.
3. What is my message? What do I want people to know?
What do you want to add to the space? You have a unique perspective that no one else has.
WTL example: I want these women to know that there is a different way to have everything they want. I want them to know that there is a way to achieve more while doing less. I have the tools that can make that happen.
4. What format(s) will I use to deliver this information? (Interviews, audio blog, on-air coaching, news story, etc.)
Information can be delivered in a variety of ways. Which format would you enjoy most? Which format would your audience enjoy most? Which format would be best for you to accomplish your goals stated in questions #1 and #3?
WTL example: The Women Taking the Lead podcast started as interview format only. Since then I have expanded to doing audio blog episodes and "on-air" coaching episodes.
5. What would be the frequency of my podcast? (daily, weekly, monthly, in seasons, etc.)
The frequency of your podcast doesn't matter so much as setting a clear expectation for your audience. If I am listening to a weekly podcast I get disappointed when an episode doesn't come out each and every week. However, some of the podcasts I listen to are released in "seasons." I enjoy the episodes that are released and I know there will be a time lapse in-between seasons. It's also okay to change the frequency of your podcast but be sure to inform your audience ahead of time so they know what to expect.
WTL example: Women Taking the Lead started as a bi-weekly podcast and transitioned to a weekly podcast after 2 years. This summer I let my audience know my mother had been diagnosed with cancer and because of that I would be releasing episodes less frequently. I did promise I would have my "month-end update on goals" episode out the last week of each month.
6. What do I want people to do as a result of listening to my podcast? (Hire you, engage you as a speaker, join your mailing list, attend you event, join a cause, etc.)
You may have a variety of actions you want your audience to take. However, be sure each episode focuses on one call-to-action (CTA) or your audience will get overwhelmed. Your CTA may simply be to email you with any questions or feedback. Don't skip over having a call-to-action in your episode or it will be a missed opportunity.
Time block: block out time on your calendar for working on your podcast. Don't leave it to chance and don't give this time away. Especially if you are doing interviews. Pick a set time and day to do your interviews back-to-back.
If you are doing interviews set your guest up for success. Let them know what you expect of them and what they can expect from you in regard to preparation, sound quality, and marketing. Make sure they have a quality microphone before you do the interview. Do not waste your time recording if the sound quality is bad. You will hurt your reputation and their's if you release the episode. Also, let them know when the episode will go live well in advance of the release date.
Make sure the content of the episode is relevant for your audience. Don't throw something together just to stay on schedule. Better to miss a release date than to put low quality content out. You're audience is loyal to you because they've been impressed by what you have been delivering. Don't abuse their trust.
Check in with your audience. Ask for feedback. Some of the best ideas I've gotten for my podcast have come directly from my listeners.
Give yourself permission to pivot. The content you want to share, how you want to share it, and whom you want to share it with may all change over the course of time. Just as you are not the same person you were a year or two ago, your podcast will also grow and evolve over time. If things are feeling stale try changing it up a bit. Your audience will grow with you.
I'm sharing my very basic set up with you so you realize this is not a barrier to entry.
PC - Dell Latitude E5430 $220.00
Microphone - Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone $69.08
Microphone Stand: Hamilton Nu-Era Tabletop Mic Stand $15.12
Pop filter: Dragonpad USA 6" Microphone Studio Pop Filter with Clamp - White/Black $13.38
Pop filter: On Stage Foam Ball-Type Mic Windscreen, Black $2.95
Webcam for "On-Air" Coaching episodes: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, 1080p Widescreen Video Calling and Recording $49.99
If I had to rebuild my "studio" from scratch today it would cost me $370.52. If you don't need to see the person you are interviewing or coaching you would save $49.99 on the webcam.
Skype - for audio-only interviews (Free)
MP3 Skype Recorder - recording software for the interview (Free)
Zoom - for "On-Air" Coaching episodes. Recording capabilities included $149.90/year. I use Zoom for business meetings and client calls as well so this expense works for me.
Audacity - editing software (Free). Both pictures you see in this post... that's Audacity up on the computer screen.
The Levelator - for leveling the sound, especially with episodes that include other people. I use this and then Auphonic to get a better sound quality. (Free)
Auphonic - high quality software for leveling sound. (100 minutes a month are free)
Libsyn - podcast hosting/syndicating service. (There is a variety of plans and pricing based on your needs)
As you can see there is a low barrier to entry in podcasting but effectiveness of your venture into the audio space will depend on your preparation and creativity. If you'd like to dive deeper into the realm of podcasting you can do this Free Podcast Course lead by my friend, John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire. He gets into the nitty-gritty of what can make or break your podcast and gives you tips and tools to take you from concept to launch.
As always, I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success!
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Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make!
Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!
Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!
Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. On the day this episode is releasing I am in full swing preparing for the Create and Achieve Goals that are Worthy of You workshop which is happening tomorrow. I am so excited about this. I am in my zone when I am leading workshops and I’m thrilled to be with the women who are attending. I cannot wait to lead them through a process that will help them craft the perfect goals for them, as well as create the plan and begin executing on it.
I am also psyched because I will be going to see Jen Sincero tonight. She is the author of the book, You Are A Badass, and she is doing a book signing in Boston for her latest book, You Are a Badass Every Day: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable.
So, I’ve got the Jen Sincero event tonight in Boston, the goals workshop tomorrow in Portland, Maine and this Thursday is the Massachusetts Conference for Women and I’ll be leading a few roundtable in the technology pavilion on how to use podcasting to amplify your personal brand. And then on Friday I’m going to sleep in and play with my sister’s puppy. How’s that for a week?
Enough about me, we are back to talking about Playing Bigger, the awesome book by Tara Mohr. We are diving into chapter 3…A Very Old New Way of Looking at Fear.
Having a toolkit to face fear will be priceless to you as there are always new situations that will invoke fear and you don’t want to live a half-life because you can’t manage your fear of perceived danger.
Also, since the theme here is playing bigger, make a list of the things that cause you to feel worry, concern, fear or anxiety, when you think about playing bigger. The behaviors associated with this are avoidance or escape. What are you avoiding because you are afraid you will be embarrassed or rejected or not supported?
Know that playing big will invoke both types of fear but we need to examine and shift the danger fear into the enlivening fear.
In talking with many of you around playing big, or even just playing at where you are now, I know one of your big struggles is managing your time. You may even feel concern, worry or anxiety around your time and if that is the case I have a program that is what you need to free yourself up and let go of overwhelm.
In this program I cover 7 different strategies that will help you get control of your time, your calendar, and your peace of mind so you are accomplishing everything you want to be accomplishing with more ease and a sense that there is plenty of time.
This program is seriously just $19 and I guarantee you will get results and feel relief around your schedule and your to-dos.
To find out more about this program go to womentakingthelead.com/time.
As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success!
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Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make!
Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you!
Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast!
Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.