Blog

September 2018

Viewing posts from September , 2018

24 Sep 2018

This one tip will make you a better leader

By Lora Polowczuk
We often think the more we do, the better we advance our careers and lives. We constantly give to others and stay busy non-stop. We run from meeting to meeting and can barely think by 2pm. We eventually feel drained, exhausted, and unappreciated. This translates into
  • Unhealthy behaviors – Ever eat the entire cookie bag? Ever gain 20 pounds in 6 months?
  • Reactive tendencies – Ever express anger to someone who didn’t deserve it?
  • Isolate ourselves – Ever pull away from the things you love because you had no energy for them?
It’s time to stop the madness! Here’s how: Take short breaks every hour. 1-2 minutes. This will energize you from head to toe. Yes, it’s literally and figuratively that easy.
  1. Stretch. This opens up your body and allows you to relax. When we’re tense, we get uptight and moody.
  2. Move your body. This increases your blood flow and circulation.  Walk to Starbucks. Stop at the door and turn around. All you really needed was the walk, not the extra caffeine and sugary snack.
  3. Close your eyes. Your eyes are constantly strained form looking at electronic screens.
Why does this make you a better leader? If you start employing this practice, your team and colleagues and superiors will take notice. You become a role model for better health and increased engagement. Who doesn’t want a better functioning team, ready to be more effective, and leave on time at the end of the day? This is your time to have the energy, engagement and effectiveness every leader wants. Self-care is the new role model style. Take care of you to have more energy and motivate others. What are three more things you can do during these very short breaks?   Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International
17 Sep 2018

One special key to growth

By Lora Polowczuk
Linda’s jaw dropped, her stomach rumbled, and her heart began to race. How am I supposed to do this, she thought? Linda was unsatisfied at work. She was bored and wanted to take on new initiatives, yet she didn’t have the skills for it. She craved that big step forward. Linda led a few small teams but never an international team with a $10 million+ budget. She discussed the role she truly wanted to play with her boss who eagerly had a project waiting to be led. Within minutes, she became the Team Lead to build a new technology platform for a big client. Linda thought, what did I get myself into?  I won’t sleep for the next year. She said thank you to her boss, went back to her office, and took a deep breath. She asked herself the following:
  •        What skills do I need to keep the team engaged and on track?
  •        What resources does the team need?
  •        Who has successfully walked this path before and can mentor me?
All it took was an hour of planning to figure this all out. She started making phone calls and setting this in motion. Assess the gaps between where you are and where you want to be. Plan for and fill your gaps to reach the next stage of growth in your career, life and relationships. This is the key to growth. Plan for what you want to grow into. Will you schedule an hour this week to do this?   Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International
10 Sep 2018

How to create space for BIG opportunities

By Lora Polowczuk
Do you have time, energy, and resources available when that BIG opportunity comes your way? Or do you struggle to get through each day? I want you to have the space for something big and miraculous. Exactly one year ago, I became a global speaker in India in front of an audience of 500+ people. It didn’t happen overnight. There were many steps that created the space to allow for the opportunity. Here’s what happened and how you can do it, too! Clear out the weeds. What no longer serves you in your life? What can you pull out so the nutrient rich soil can help something else grow? Personally, I started saying “no” to areas where I was spread too thin. See the post from last week on how to do this. Plant the seed. What do you really want? Who knows what you want? If no one knows what you truly want, how can the universe conspire to help you? I was dreaming of speaking on a big stage in another country for sometime. There was an initial outreach for interest in doing something like this. I said yes, keep me posted. The formal invitation did not arrive till about six month later. Nourish the seed. This is about giving your full heart and energy to something you’re passionate about. It’s time to nourish your dreams! Since I already began clearing out the too many projects on my calendar, I created the space required to develop the keynote, practice my speaking skills, and learn how to take my motivational speaking to the next level. There are four months left in 2018. How can you apply the above steps to each facet of your life? Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International
03 Sep 2018

Do you Celebrate Your Contributions?

By Lora Polowczuk
Brian took pride that his project team and dedicated employees brought forth the company’s first major product to market in record time. Before the press releases even went out, Brian already was planning their next big product. His all-star team slowly went from ecstatic to dejected. Another big project with more hours, more time, more energy. Ever been a part of something huge that no one celebrated? It sucks, right? His amazing team started dreading coming to work each day and started missing deadlines for investors. This all-star team slowly dissolved, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. As human beings, we all want validation and acknowledgement. Here’s what you can do:
  • Acknowledge what you did accomplish each day in a journal. Too often we beat ourselves up for not getting enough done. Look upon this list at the end of the week and give yourself a pat on the back.
  • Take time to celebrate every 90 days (bare minimum!), preferably every month. Go do something fun that brings joy into your heart.
  • Identify ways to celebrate others – spouse, kids, friends, family, colleagues, team? Who doesn’t want someone cheering them on?
It’s only when you truly take the time to assess and measure how far you’ve come, that you can truly acknowledge what you’ve accomplished. You’ve done way more than you ever give yourself credit for. Take time to celebrate the amazingness that you are.   Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International
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