Tips & Insights for Top Performance

• 04Mar

  Daily Affirmations to Get You Moving

  Business Coaching, Effective Habits, Goal Setting, Law of Attraction Principles, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth No Comments

  Here are a few daily affirmations to read for 30 days to get yourself in a positive forward moving direction.

  • My goal is … (insert)

  • Be consistent, doing activities that support your goal. I need to …..

  • See the gap between your goals and the activity you are doing to get there. I will close the gap by….

  • Know what you are going for. What will I do today to move closer to my goal?  Today, I will….

  • Know the difference between “billable/productive” work and “busy” work. What counts today is…

  • Have a dream and know what you can do to reach it. I will be one step closer if I….

  • Help others get what they want; in return you will get what you want (be selfless and giving)(givers gain). I will help someone today by…

  • Be positive and focus on what IS possible. Remember we attract and get what we focus on. I am focused on….

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: daily affirmations, forward moving direction, Positive

• 25Feb

  INTERVIEWING TO SEE IF A CAREER IS RIGHT FOR YOU…

  Business Coaching, Career Exploration, Career Fulfillment, Effective Habits, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth No Comments

  If you have a career in mind that you might like to work in, check out your assumptions first. People who work in the career know what it is really like and can share their experience. Even if they are disgruntled with their career, they can provide good information as they share their highs and lows. Different things bother different people. What they might think is the worst part of their job, might be what you are looking for. Interviewing is a priceless way to determine if a job is a good fit for you. JUST DO IT. Many people don’t want to bother someone with these questions, but many people are happy to share. They are talking about themselves and most people don’t mind helping another person out. Take a risk and contact a few people who are doing the job you think you would like to have. It is worth your time.

  Here are some things you might ask them:

  • How long have you been working in this career?
  • Why did you get into it?
  • How did you get to where you are today (education to career advancement)?
  • What training did you have before employment and what training have you had since to keep yourself fresh?
  • What skills are most important for this job?
  • What do you love and what do you hate about this job?
  • What are the opportunities out there? Is it a tough market for this work or lots of opportunity and room for growth? How so?
  • How has this career / work field changed since you have gotten in it?
  • What does a typical day look like for you?
  • What does the salary look like for this career – starting, mid and advanced?
  • What would you recommend I do to learn more about this career (read, class, person to talk to, website, etc.)?
  • Who do you think is a good fit for this career and is successful?
  • Who do you see trying to do this career but it is not a good fit? Why is it not a good fit? What do they move to?
  • What other jobs are like this career but a little different? How are they different? Have you considered those? Why or why not?
  • What experience is needed or helpful to have before working in this line of work?
  • If I were interested in this work, how would you recommend I get started (networking, connections, training, education, etc.)?
  • What titles do people in this line of work have?
  • Where does your company and companies that you work for recruit from (where do they find their people?)
  • What organizations do you belong too?
  • What books and magazines and RSS feeds do you read?

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: career, interviewing, picking a new career

• 18Feb

  PICKING A NEW CAREER….

  Business Coaching, Career Exploration, Career Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth No Comments

  Did you know most people today will work SEVERAL careers in their lifetime. Working in 3-5 different careers is becoming the new norm. While traditional employment would have a person work one career in maybe 3-5 companies max, today, people not only work for several employers but are CHANGING fields as they progress in their professional life. So, are you ready for a change???

  How do you research new careers?…Here are a few questions to ask yourself about a new career you are thinking about.
  • Does this career/job use my strengths (reference your Strengths Finder 2.0 strengths)?
  • Does this career/job match my personal values (if you don’t know what these are, schedule a free coaching sample session)
  • Does this career match my employment needs (salary, location, hours, skills, etc.)?
  • Do I need new or more schooling or training for this career? What options will this education give me?
  • How saturated is this field? Is it growing and increasing in demand or on the way out?
  • How long will it take me to make myself “marketable” for this career/job?
  • Talk to 3-5 people working in this field…does this job match my “assumptions and premonitions” about it?
  • How much capital ($$) will it cost for me to transition (schooling, certifications, can I work and school or do I need to quit my job and just do school, etc.)?
  • What kind of network and relationships do I have to get into this field (networking is everything in today’s job search)?
  • How much time will I need to spend on honing and developing my skills for this new career?
  • What will moving into this new career give me?
  • What are the downsides of this new career? How much will that affect me?
  • What benefits does this new career have? How will that help me?
  • What does “success” in this career look like to me? In order to be “successful” in this new career, what will it take?
  • Am I willing to pay the price (time, dollars, energy, work…) to make this happen?
  • Am I running from an old career or CHOOSING a new career?
  • List why this career is a good fit?

  Don’t guess or be spontaneous in your career changes, be planned and intentional.

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: picking a new career, professional life, traditional employment

• 28Jan

  The Truth Is…

  Effective Habits, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth No Comments

  “The truth is, you can do whatever you choose to do. The truth is, when you make it a priority you will make it happen.

  The limiting beliefs that hold you back are not based in truth. They are merely stories you tell yourself that have grown so familiar you don’t even think to question them.

  Yet the truth is, you can find your way beyond any challenge. The truth is, the only limits that permanently hold you back are the limits you place on yourself.

  You can choose to transform your limiting beliefs into empowering affirmations. You can choose right now to jump fully into creating the life of your dreams.

  Sure, you have plenty of great excuses for not living life at its very highest level, but keep this in mind. The very fact that they’re excuses means they’re not really true.

  The truth is, you are unique, creative, powerful, passionate and worthy of the very best you can imagine. Choose right now to live your beautiful truth.”

  Ralph Marston

   

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: live your beautiful truth, Ralph Marston, truth

• 21Jan

  What is Business Coaching?

  Business Coaching, Career Exploration, Effective Habits, Executives & Leaders, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth No Comments

  Have you ever thought about trying coaching but don’t really know how it works? That is a common question people have. Here is what we, at Synergy Strategies do: …..

  We are a coaching company that supports people to bring every part of their life together to create a vision and plan so that their life works in fluid motion and harmony. It is like the gears… when they are all there and working together the power is great and the movement is great. When gears are missing or misaligned, it is difficult for the machinery to be productive. When your life is moving in sync with your values, dreams and goals; suddenly it is easy and enjoyable. It is an amazing feeling!

  Name a professional athlete that does not have a coach. That would be absurd right? Those people are professionals because they are talented by their own right. They don’t need a coach to tell them how to play. They need a coach to keep them on the edge of their learning, seeing the big picture, the blind spots, and constantly pushing them to the next level.  We are the professional sports coach for the mind.

  Coaching will challenge you to think bigger (vision) and deeper (learn more about yourself) so you can continually develop and move forward toward your goals. 

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

   

  Tags: Business Coaching, Coaching, Synergy Strategies

• 14Jan

  Staying Organized on a Monthly Basis

  Effective Habits, Energy Management, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth, Time Management, Work/Life Synergy & Balance No Comments

  Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to have more family balance and be more organized at home in 2011? Here was HGTV’s tips on staying organized on a monthly basis.  

  “STAY ORGANIZED CHECKLIST: MONTHLY

  Bill Paying

  • Pay bills once or twice a month or set up automatic payments for recurring bills such as the mortgage, utilities and credit cards.

  Paperwork

  • File paid bills in an accordion folder or similar filing system.
  • Update your designated file for receipts pertaining to taxes and deductions.

  Bulk Shopping

  • Make a bulk shopping trip. Buy household items such as paper goods, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Purchasing these standard items on a monthly basis will streamline weekly shopping.

  Calendar

  • Review the calendar at the beginning of each month to plan for upcoming events or gift purchases.”

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: HGTV, New Year's resolutions, Staying Organized

• 07Jan

  Staying Organized on a Weekly Basis

  Effective Habits, Energy Management, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth, Time Management, Work/Life Synergy & Balance No Comments

  Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to have more family balance and be more organized at home in 2011? Here was HGTV’s tips on staying organized on a weekly basis.  

  “STAY ORGANIZED CHECKLIST: WEEKLY

  Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning

  • Plan out the week’s meals on Sunday afternoon and create a shopping list.
  • Designate a time for coupon clipping and commit to it. Recycle unused coupons.
  • Shop once a week for family meals, bringing your menu plan with you.

  Family Schedules

  • Review the calendar for the week with other family members to ensure you have all appointments accounted for.

  Laundry

  • Set up a routine schedule for dry cleaning. Many dry cleaners will pick up and deliver weekly; your office might offer a similar program.
  • Attempt to do as much washing, folding and ironing before the week begins. This will save time during the week.

  Car

  • Remove trash, and organize must-haves for the car.
  • Find homes for everything that does not belong in your car.”

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer,  Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: HGTV, New Year's resolutions, Staying Organized

• 31Dec

  This Year

  Effective Habits, Goal Setting, Personal Growth, Work/Life Synergy & Balance No Comments

   

  Share your treasure.

  Encourage youth.

  Manifest your loyalty to others in word and deed.

  Keep your promises.

  Nurture your appetite for learning.

  Find the time.

  Be thankful for your life and the opportunities ahead.

  Believe in yourself.

  Try to forgive.

  Offer your hand to those who struggle.

  Listen.

  Hug tightly the good times.

  Respond to adversity with determination and confidence.

  Apologize if you were wrong.

  Don’t look down on others unless you are trying to lift them up.

  Skip the bandwagon.

  Against all pressure, try to do what you know is right.

  Reach out.

  Try to understand.

  Express your appreciation.

  Do NOT assume.

  Replace despair with action.

  Recognize that you know very little and you will instantly increase your intelligence.

  Examine your demands on others.

  Do not judge.

  Be kind, be gentle – but stand your ground.

  Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.

  Work hard – deserve confidence. Take nothing for granted.

  Be tenacious in pursuit of your most cherished dreams.

  Reject incompetence and identify it as such.

  Use your experience to help others treading in new waters.

  Take care of your spirit.

  Give no quarter to injustice and stand up to its perpetrators.

  Settle only for your best.

  Search for the truth – don’t let others define it for you.

  Don’t let others define you.

  Examine your motives.

  Care for the animals.

  Welcome a stranger.

  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth –

  Take part in its preservation.

  Gladden the heart of a child.

  Live each moment – fully.

  Speak your love.

  Speak it again.

  Speak it still once again.

  ________________

  Dickey Eason

  www.theimpacts.com

   

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: Dickey Easton, This year

• 24Dec

  Successful People Are Always Pursuing Balance

  Effective Habits, Energy Management, Goal Setting, Performance & Productivity, Personal Growth, Time Management, Work/Life Synergy & Balance No Comments

  I asked some of the successful and talented business owners and professionals I know, what they consider their key to success… here is what they said…..

  “Successful people are always pursuing balance in their life. There are only so many hours in a day and it is important to prioritize every aspect of our lives instead of just our business lives. Family, marriage, spirituality, health, volunteering, etc. are all the components of a successful person – in business and in life. If you are lucky enough to pursue what you love then you will see success follow. People will want to be part of that success.”

  Lois Cozart, Owner
  My Girlfriend’s Closet
  www.mygirlfriendsclosetnc.com

   

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: balance, life balance, Lois Cozart, My Girlfriend's Closet, Sussessful people

• 29Oct

  Develop Your Vision

  Business Coaching, Effective Habits, Executives & Leaders, Goal Setting No Comments

  A good vision…

  1. … is realistic yet idealistic. A vision must be realistic enough so that people believe it is achievable, but idealistic enough so that it cannot be achieved without stretching.
  2. … is relevant. A vision must be appropriate for the values and culture of the organization as well as fitting the environment of the times.
  3. … is attractive. A vision attracts commitment, inspires enthusiasm, motivates and energizes people.
  4. … is unique. A vision reflects the uniqueness of the organization and what sets them apart from others.
  5. … is ambitious. A vision must not be commonplace, but truly extraordinary.
  6. … clarifies.  A vision provides the rationale for both the mission and goals the organization should pursue.
  7. … looks ahead. A vision is not in the present; it is in the future.
  8. … gives purpose. A vision gives meaning to people’s work by making them feel like they are part of a greater whole.
  9. … sets a standard. A vision establishes high ideals and a standard of excellence.

  Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

  Tags: Develop You Vision, VISION

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