Your mid-year momentum: reflection for renewed focus and joy

It's June, the perfect time for a mid-year reflection. Let's briefly pause to reassess our dreams and ambitions. This month, adjust your goals if needed, and let's move forward with refreshed purpose and determination.

Remember, you're not alone; this community supports you every step of the way.

Together, let's make the second half of the year truly impactful.

Leadership Lift-Off: The Power of the Pause - A Reflection Technique

As we approach the midpoint of the year, it's essential to take a moment to pause and reflect on our journey so far. This mid-year reflection is not just about assessing progress but also about reconnecting with our purpose, recalibrating our goals, and recharging our energy.?

Here's a simple yet powerful tool to guide you through this process: The "3R" Technique – Reflect, Realign, Reignite.

Reflect

Start by setting aside quiet time to reflect on the past months. Ask yourself:

• Achievements: What have I accomplished? Celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
• Challenges: What obstacles have I faced? Acknowledge the difficulties and what you learned from them.
• Growth: How have I grown personally and professionally? Consider new skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Write down your thoughts. This act of reflection helps you gain clarity and recognize patterns in your journey.

Realign

Once you've reflected, it's time to realign your goals and actions with your purpose and values:

• Values Check: Are your current goals and actions aligned with your core values? If not, what needs to change?
• Priorities Update: Have your priorities shifted? Identify what matters most to you now.
• Goal Adjustment: Are your goals still relevant and achievable? Adjust them as needed to reflect your current circumstances and aspirations.

Realigning ensures that your path forward is intentional and meaningful.

Reignite

Finally, reignite your passion and motivation for the months ahead:

• Inspiration Sources: What inspires you? Seek out books, podcasts, or mentors that fuel your passion.
• Energy Boosters: What activities or practices help you feel energised? Incorporate them into your routine.
• Support System: Who are the people who support and uplift you? Connect with your network for encouragement and accountability.

Reigniting your passion will help you move forward with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

Putting It All Together

Set aside dedicated time for this "3R" Technique – perhaps an afternoon or a weekend. Find a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions. Use a journal to capture your reflections, realignments, and plans for reigniting your passion.

In my experience taking time to pause and reflect is not a luxury; it's a necessity for effective leadership and personal growth. This mid-year review is an opportunity to ensure you are on the right path and ready to tackle the rest of the year with clarity, purpose, and energy.

Grow Your Skills: Effective Listening

Listening is a skill we often think we're good at, but truthfully, most of us can improve. Do you know there are different levels of listening, each deeper and more impactful than the last?

Understanding these levels of listening can change the way you connect with others, whether at work or in your personal life.

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Level 1: Internal Listening (Listen to Speak) Most of us start off here. This is when we're hearing someone, but mostly we're just waiting for our turn to talk. We're thinking about what we want to say next instead of truly hearing what’s being said. This can lead to misunderstandings because we might miss important details.

Level 2: Focused Listening (Listen to Hear) This is a better level where we really pay attention. Here, we're not just waiting for our turn to speak. Instead, we focus completely on the other person.?

Level 3: Global Listening (Listen to Understand) This is the deepest level of listening. It’s not just about the words being said but also what they mean, including feelings or thoughts that aren’t expressed directly. For instance, if someone’s talking about a busy day at work, they might actually be seeking understanding or help, not just sharing their schedule.

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Why It Matters

Great listeners are better friends, family members, colleagues and leaders. When people feel heard, they trust you more and share more. This makes relationships stronger and conversations more meaningful.

Even at work, if you can really listen, you’ll make better decisions, resolve conflicts more effectively, and lead with more empathy. Learning to listen is a journey worth taking.?

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Let’s Practice

Next time you’re in a conversation, think about these levels. Try to move beyond just listening to speak. Aim to listen to hear, and then try to understand the deeper message. This skill will take practice, but it’s a powerful one that can really change how you connect with others.

The Pause, Reflect, and Ask (PRA) Method

• Pause After someone has finished speaking, take a brief moment before you respond. This pause serves two important purposes: it shows the speaker you're considering their words carefully, and it gives you a moment to transition from simply hearing them to really understanding them.
• Reflect Reflect on what was said. Think about the emotions behind the words. Was there excitement, frustration, or perhaps a hint of sadness? Try to grasp not just the message but the feelings and intentions beneath it. This transition from Level 1 to Level 2 (Listen to Hear) happens in this reflective space.
• Ask Before you share your thoughts, ask a question that deepens your understanding of what the speaker shared. It could be as simple as, "How did that make you feel?" or "What outcome are you hoping for?" This step ensures you’re moving towards Level 3 (Listen to Understand), focusing on empathizing and grasping the deeper message.

Why It Works

• It shows respect: Taking the time to pause shows that you value what the speaker has shared.
• It encourages deeper connection: By reflecting and asking for more information, you show genuine interest, which can strengthen relationships.
• It promotes clearer communication: This method helps avoid misunderstandings as it ensures you've truly grasped the speaker's point before you respond.

I encourage you to try this method in your next conversation and observe the difference it makes.

I’d love to hear about your experiences as you practice this technique. DM me or email me at [email protected]

Trailblazer Talks: ELEVATING HR CAREERS

Join me as I welcome Claire Cathcart , a seasoned HR professional with over 15 years of experience in the field. From her humble beginnings as an HR administrator to her current role as the founder of ELEVATE, Claire has navigated the HR landscape with finesse, climbing the ladder to senior HR positions and accumulating a wealth of knowledge along the way.?

With a passion for empowering HR professionals to take control of their lives and careers, Claire launched ELEVATE in 2023. Through ELEVATE, she provides invaluable resources and support to HR professionals seeking to upskill, advance their careers, and achieve their life goals. Get ready to be inspired and learn from Claire's journey as she shares her story, insights, experiences, and strategies for success in the world of HR.

Watch it here.

Subscribe to the BeLegendary Fireside Chats Podcast here so you don't miss any episodes.

Spotlight: Sarah Fuller - Breaking Boundaries on the Football Field

In this month's spotlight, we turn our attention to a remarkable athlete who not only challenged but shattered the glass ceiling in one of the most male-dominated sports in the world: American football.?

Sarah Fuller, a name that resonates with courage, resilience, and an unwavering determination to succeed against all odds.

Sarah Fuller made headlines and history as the first woman to play in a Power 5 college football game, and later, as the first woman to score in one. But her story is much more than a list of firsts; it's a compelling narrative of breaking barriers, embracing challenges, and proving that talent and determination know no gender.

Playing as a goalkeeper for Vanderbilt University's women's soccer team, Fuller was called to join the football team in 2020 after many players were sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. Stepping onto the field, she not only delivered a powerful message of inclusion but also demonstrated exceptional skill and grace under pressure. Her debut wearing "Play Like a Girl" on the back of her helmet captured the spirit of her historic achievement - an encouragement for young girls everywhere to pursue their dreams, irrespective of the obstacles and stereotypes that may stand in their way.

Sarah's journey is not just inspiring for those with aspirations in sports; it's a beacon of empowerment for women in all spheres of life. Her story teaches us that success is not handed to us; it's earned through perseverance, hard work, and an unyielding belief in our capabilities.

Her example serves as a powerful reminder that we are capable of much more than society may traditionally expect of us. She shows us the importance of stepping up to challenges, embracing opportunities to lead, and setting new benchmarks for what women can achieve.

Let Sarah's story fuel your passion and inspire you to break your barriers.?

Nurture Your Mind: Essential Events/Podcasts/Articles

"Understanding our relationship patterns" - The Women's (R)Evolution Podcast

In these 2 episodes, we're diving into a fascinating topic that affects all of us: our relationship patterns. Have you ever wondered why you react the way you do in relationships? Or why do certain patterns seem to repeat themselves? We will explore the concept of attachment styles and how they shape our connections with others.

Listen to Part 1 Here

Listen to Part 2 Here

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"Men have over 3X more retirement savings than women—7 steps to make sure you are financially secure" - CNBC

In this insightful piece, Leslie Tayne outlines how women can take control of their financial futures.

Read the article here

Ask Your Coach:?

"I often find myself doubting my achievements and fearing that I'll be exposed as a "fraud," even though I'm qualified and have been successful in previous roles. How can I overcome these feelings of impostor syndrome?"

Feeling like a fraud at work is something a lot of us go through. It's when we doubt our success and worry others will find out we're not as capable as they think. We often call this "impostor syndrome." It's like a voice inside telling us we're not good enough, even when we are.

In order to truly address the challenge of impostor syndrome, I approach it from three perspectives: the personal, which I call internal, where it's about our own beliefs about ourselves; the relational, which refers to external, meaning how we interact with and are influenced by others; and the overarching, what I call systemic, which encompasses the broader context we operate in, like workplace culture and societal expectations.?

In the following paragraphs, I'll delve deeper into each of these perspectives and introduce an initial, manageable step you can take to begin overcoming impostor syndrome. I believe that by breaking it down this way, the journey becomes clearer and more attainable.

Internal Perspective: Self-Worth At the heart of what we often label as "impostor syndrome" lies our personal sense of value. As women, we sometimes carry a quiet voice inside that downplays our achievements and skills. It's this inner narrative, doubting our worth as professionals and as human beings, that can make our reality seem less than our capabilities truly are. Let's recognize that this contrast between how we see ourselves and how capable we really are is a common experience, and it's one we can change by embracing and affirming our inherent worth.

Where can you start? Create a Success Journal. Regularly write down your achievements, positive feedback you've received, and moments you felt proud of your work. This practice can help shift your focus from doubt to a solid acknowledgement of your skills and contributions.

External Perspective: Confidence and Capabilities Comparing ourselves to others can fuel feelings of being an impostor. We often only see the highlights of others' work and not the full story, which can make us feel like we're falling behind, and that we are less capable.?

Additionally, when we assume what others expect from us or believe they think negatively about our work, our confidence drops and impostor syndrome can really take hold. It’s important to ask ourselves: Are these stories I’m telling myself based on reality? Or are they my own fears speaking?

Where can you start? Seek Constructive Feedback. Reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors for feedback on your performance. Highlight what specifically you want feedback on to ensure it's constructive. This can build your confidence and help you see your real impact, not just the perceived lack.

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Systemic Perspective: Our Society and Organisations Societal structures and organisational cultures often create environments where feeling like an impostor is more likely. This can be particularly true in environments that don't openly recognise or celebrate achievements, or in cultures that value only certain "types" of success.

Where can you start? Advocate for a Culture of Inclusive Recognition. Start small by acknowledging the achievements of your colleagues, and encourage a culture of recognition within your team or organisation. Being part of creating an environment where accomplishments are shared and celebrated can diminish feelings of being an impostor and foster a sense of belonging and appreciation.

If you need support with Impostor Syndrome DM me or email me to [email protected]

Want to see your question answered in our next edition? You can leave your question here.

Resources: How to Master the Art of Setting Boundaries

Are you seeking to establish healthy boundaries in your personal or professional life? ?? In this valuable resource, you'll discover practical tips and strategies. Download it here .

Let's wrap up this newsletter with a quick note: You've got this.?

Stay brave and keep pushing forward. I'm excited to see where you go from here.

Take care,

Carla

Your Leadership & Career Coach

Empowering, inspiring, and guiding female professionals on their path to success.

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