Boing! How to spring into Spring

I had a big knee op at the beginning of the year so I didn't do a whole lot of planning in January.

Now I'm letting the natural positivity of Spring spring me forward with my 2024 plans. The sun is out. The days are longer. The time is right. Want to join me?

I'm following this sweet four-step process:

Step 1?? Chunk your time

The first and most crucial step is to book a few nice chunks of time into your scheduler or diary for ‘Creative’ or ‘Deep' work . The point it to make space to lift your vision up above knotty day-to-day issues and reflect on where you want to go in the longer term.

That sound lovely, doesn’t it? But when is a good time?

I like to go with first thing in the morning for my chunking. My brain won't be cluttered and I won't have got caught up in other demands on my attention. But we’re all different. Schedule your time in for when it feels right.

And then, da da daaaa, protect each chunk of this precious time as if you're life depends on it. It's ike putting a little fence around a new tree so it can grow happily with being chomped on.

I call this Diarise & Defend. (Snappy, huh?)

If a chunk of scheduled time gets lost or is swamped with meetings and other must do's, do your darndest to put put it straight back in at a time not too far away. I know It feels near impossible, right? There is so much to do! But, without this fencing, you'll not get the space to think big, so wonderful plans, which could make all the difference to your mission, may never see the light of day.

The not-for-profit leaders I coach are likely yawningly bored of me saying it, but re-scheduling really is crucial. In the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Steven Covey calls this, ‘Important but Not Urgent’ work and, as you know, it will slip away like a British summer or head off into 'Urgent & Important' instead. A place where your brain is permanently fried.

Step 2 ??Get in the mood

You’re giving yourself permission to do things a differently with these chunks of time. So, what do you need to do to get you in the mood for Spring-fresh thinking?

?? Move chairs, rooms or desks? Take yourself off to a café?

?? Stick some soothing music on? Or jump about to 70s soul, like me?

?? Go for a mindful walk?

?? Stare at the blossom outside your window?

??Take a few moment to breathe or meditate?

You might create a ritual of a few of these. It doesn’t matter. Do whatever works to create a different energy where zingy ideas are more likely to come to you.

Step 3 ??Get digging

Now it’s time to ask yourself some deep, coachly questions to help whoosh you over the fears, 'yes buts' and anxieties that hold you back from exploring what’s really possible.

Jot down your thoughts. Give yourself a few more minutes for each inquiry than you feel quite comfortable with. (The question ‘what else?’ is your best friend here.). Don’t rush it.

How about these little lovelies to get you started?

1.??? If I absolutely knew I couldn’t fail what would I aim for?

2.??? How would that benefit me? My team? My organisation? Clients or users?

3.??? If I could do exactly what I wanted what would I do?

4.??? What have I always longed to do but didn’t feel was possible?

5.??? What is it about me that makes me perfect to do this?

6.??? How can I bring along each individual member of my team?

7.??? What do I need to believe to create this change?

8.??? What might get in my way?

9.??? What did I do when I leapt over a hurdle before?

Step 4 ???Take action

You’ll probably come up with a load of ideas from these questions. Take a good look. Some won’t lead you anywhere.?Some will be winners - I bet there are at least three ideas you want to turn into positive and exciting plans.

What are they? What actions do you want to take now? What do you commit to doing?

I'd love to hear.

What next?

Thank you for reading this article in my Loving Leadership newsletter. I hope it's inspired you in the amazing work you do.

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Katie Duckworth is an infectiously enthusiastic change-maker, cheer-leader and inspirer of mission-driven leaders and their teams working all out for a better world. Her coaching is warm and empowering. Her training, practical, engaging and fun.

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