Becky Robinson's Blog, page 62

Featured on Friday: Holiday Gift Ideas

Mysterious boxes have been showing up on my doorstep for the last month, which have now turned into beautifully wrapped presents peeking out from under our tree. I love the holidays! It probably has something to do with being born in December – both a blessing and a trial – but also with the fact that I love everything about the season.

First and foremost, I love the personal reason I celebrate (my faith), but I also love the sights and sounds, the baked goods, and the challenge of finding the “perfect” gift for every person on my list. Of the seven people in my immediate family (not counting in-laws and grandkids), it’s a pretty safe assumption that a book will be a gift appreciated by most of us – we are a family of readers.

If you have any last-minute gifts on your list, get a pen or have your credit card ready to click through these links and finish your shopping this weekend! Any one of the 20 books that we launched in 2015 would be perfect for a co-worker, entrepreneur friend, or that “reader” in your family. Want to give an extra “gift” to the authors? If you’ve read any of these books but have yet to leave a review, type up something while you’re buying a book for a friend and spread some extra joy this holiday season!

The Weaving Influence 20 in 2015

Refire! Don’t Retire by Ken Blanchard & Morton Shaevitz (also available in large print)

The Hidden Leader by Scott Edinger & Laurie Sain


Sprinkles by Chip Bell (side note: I was very excited over his latest newsletter!)

Flying Without a Helicopter by Joanie Connell (great for any parents on your list)

Talent Mindset by Stacy Feiner (FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited, if you want to read it too)


Dare to Serve by Cheryl Bachelder

The Politics of Promotion by Bonnie Marcus


Chess, Not Checkers by Mark Miller


Wind in Your Sails by David Greer


The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson


The Disciplined Leader by John Manning


Wired for Authenticity by Henna Inam


The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

The Genius of Opposites by Jennifer Kahnweiler (you might recall my earlier post about the opposites on our team)

Unseen Tears by Beau Sides (buying this book supports the work of Global Partners in Life)


Co-Active Leadership by Karen & Henry Kimsey-House


Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson


Collaboration Begins with You by Ken Blanchard, Eunice Parisi-Carew, and Jane Ripley


The New Social Learning by Tony Bingham & Marcia Conner

Mastering Leadership by Bob Anderson and Bill Adams

BONUS:

We did a 1 year bump for Raise Your Voice by Brian Sooy (if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for FREE!)
Bob Tiede launched his FREE ebook this year, Great Leaders Ask Questions
A non-book related idea: buy shoes for school children in Cambodia and help Linda Freeman support the work of Cambodian Care

Happy Shopping – Happy Reading!

Leading Before I Was Ready

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be political, and neither do I wish to discuss the political situation. Rather, it is meant to illustrate my personal experience in a national time of danger.

The first time I heard it, I wasn’t sure what it was. The siren echoed throughout all of Jerusalem, but as I stood on the train with my friend, casually chatting about the upcoming week, I assumed it was coming just from our train car—maybe it was a fire, maybe a bomb, it could be anything here in Israel.

Immediately, the train stopped and everyone ran to take shelter in nearby buildings. Still unsure of what was happening (unlike most of the country I had never experienced a war before), my friend and I decided to run the 4 blocks back to our apartment where I knew the participants on the program I was leading must have been as shocked and confused as I was.

When I finally made it inside our building, I heard people talking from what I thought was just a basement, but came to understand was the communal bomb shelter (almost every building has one). After the “all clear” sound came, I finally understood: we were at war, and the siren was an air raid siren. Later, I found out that the rocket actually fell very close to where I lived.

When we all finally gathered in our living room, I quickly realized that although I, like the participants on the program I was leading (a 4-month study/internship program in Jerusalem), was from a quiet and safe place in the USA and had never experienced such direct violence before, I was being looked at to lead.

Immediately the questions come flooding in: “What do we do? Should we go home (in tears)?” And then, phone calls from parents: “Should we bring our daughter back? How can we be sure she will be safe?”

“Don’t worry”, I said with an assuring smile, “we’re perfectly safe where we are.” I followed the news, I organized activities for the girls that would be re-assuring, and I led a prayer session. I learned to be a pillar for those girls, and in turn, they helped ignite within me an inner strength I did not know I possessed.

That was the first time I was really called upon to lead when I was not ready. And I did become more of a leader that summer, because I had no choice. Many of the girls would ask me, “Aren’t you scared? How do you stay so strong?” “Yes, I am scared. I’m not so strong,” I wanted to tell them, but instead I answered, “I just have to be.”

And now, amidst the current wave of violence and terror here in Jerusalem, I find myself once again being forced to lead, albeit from a different perspective. Since that summer of war, I have gotten married and am thinking much more about what this world will be like for the next generation. Suddenly, life is not just about me and my personal safety, but about this new family my husband and I are creating together, and the kind of future we hope to carve out within this crazy and beautiful land.

When relatives call frantically from abroad, I must assure them, “Don’t worry, we’re safe.” When everyone asks me, “Aren’t you scared?” I respond, “I feel the tension, sometimes a bit of anxiety, but I don’t feel fear.” And I have to say—this has become true.

Of course, we take every precaution we can: avoiding many public areas, carrying pepper spray, staying inside, but at the end of the day, we choose not to let fear rule our lives, and in this way I can really see how much being forced into leadership made me more prepared to lead myself, my family, and, G-d willing, a small part of the new generation which I pray will never be forced to find an inner peace amidst so much terror.

Many people wonder why, despite all the instability, we choose to live in such a place. I don’t really want to go into that now (there is a lot to say), but I will say that living within this reality makes me appreciate life so much more—the simple pleasure of being with family and friends, the sound of the rain, everything. It makes me stronger, and clearer about who I am and what is important to me.

It makes me (or forces me to be) a more confident leader in so many ways.

And I am grateful for that.

Featured on Friday: #MasteringLeadership by @leadershipcir

Every Monday morning the Weaving Influence Directors (Becky Robinson, CEO; Amy Driehorst, Director of Client Services; Christy Kirk, Director of Social Strategy; and me, Carrie Koens, Book Launch Director), start our week by checking in with each other about priorities, concerns, and company development work. With one month remaining in 2015 our primary focus is finishing strong this year, and setting plans in place for continued growth in 2016.

When I started working with Becky in 2012, there were six people on the team. By August we were down to four, with Amy bringing us back up to five when she came on board in September. Today we are a mix of contractors and employees, local and remote, all doing our part to weave influence for our clients and develop meaningful community with members of Team Buzz Builder. We’re working on some really exciting new ideas for both audiences in 2016, which fits right in with a standout phrase found in the Introduction to Mastering Leadership:

Leaders set the agenda for the future. 

It’s important to the Directors, as well as the team, to set a strong agenda for the future of Weaving Influence. We believe that the work we do makes a difference; whether it’s by selling books or making new connections or offering meaningful work-from-home opportunities – the future is bright!

If you’re interested in setting the agenda for the future and getting 2016 off to a strong start, then allow me to introduce you to the authors of our final book launch of 2015…

Meet Bob Anderson and Bill Adams

Robert (Bob) J. Anderson is a pioneer in the field of leadership development & research. He is the Founder and Chairman of The Leadership Circle and the Full Circle Group; and creator of The Leadership Circle Profile.

Over the past 35 years, he has dedicated his career to exploring the intersections between leadership and mastery, competence and consciousness, spirituality and business. Bob holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from John Carroll University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Bowling Green State University. He serves as adjunct faculty for the Executive Education Center at the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.

Bob and Kim, his wife of 32 years, make their home near Toledo, Ohio, but enjoy traveling the globe for both work and play with their three adult children.

William (Bill) A. Adams is known for partnering with leaders to unlock breakthrough performance, develop deep leadership capability, and produce transformational business results. He is the CEO of The Leadership Circle and the Full Circle Group; and co-author of several books, including The Whole Systems Approach and The Quest For Quality. His clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to start-ups across multiple industries. He sits on numerous boards in the for-profit, education, and non-profit worlds.

Bill holds a Master’s Degree in Interpersonal & Organizational Communication from the University of Montana. He and his wife live in Utah. The two are most at home in the outdoors, working with youth leadership and spending time with their four children and a growing crew of grandchildren.

Connect with Bob & Bill on Social

If you’re on Facebook, we recommend looking up The Leadership Circle page and giving it a “like,” or follow their business account on Twitter @leadershipcir. You can also connect with both Bob and Bill on LinkedIn.

Discover Mastering Leadership

“Many people talk about the significance of an effective leader but often struggle to describe one… until now. Anderson and Adams offer a simple yet dynamic model that can guide and assist you in understanding what makes great leaders great. This universal model encompasses the skills, capabilities, and principles that stem from real leadership. A transforming and insightful read.“
~ STEPHEN M. R. COVEY, AUTHOR OF NY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘THE SPEED OF TRUST’

Is your leadership a competitive advantage, or is it costing you? How do you know? Are you developing your leadership effectiveness at the pace of change? For most leaders, complexity is outpacing their personal development and today’s escalating global complexity puts it at a premium. Mastering Leadership involves developing the effectiveness of leaders – individually and collectively – and turning that leadership into a competitive advantage.

Next week (November 30 – December 4) is the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of Mastering Leadership, and the best spot to go to learn more about this “masterful” book is their book website: masteringleadershipbook.com. There you can find a free sample chapter (including the quote about leaders setting the agenda), more information about the book (like where to order), and beautiful share graphics and tweets to send out next week in support of the launch.

If you received an early-review copy, or if you’re one of the folks who already purchased it for your Kindle, go ahead and get the promotion started this weekend by leaving your review on Amazon. REMEMBER: Short, sweet, and to the point, or long and detailed – book reviews are one of the best (and easiest) ways to show your support for an author and their work, so head on over to Amazon today!

DID YOU MISS THE WEBINAR? If you missed the free webinar with Bob and Bill earlier this month, watch the recording now!

Want to do more?

Send this tweet now and show your social support!

“Leaders set the agenda for the future.” #MasteringLeadership by @leadershipcir is launching November 30th! http://bit.ly/MLamz {Tweet Now!}

Underneath the Drywall

I have been unable to get the image of this simple wooden beam out of my mind over the past few days.

An acquaintance of mine here in Tallahassee, Stacey, passed away at the age of 46 recently. She had been a true shining light in countless lives. Although I did not know her well, an overwhelming number of people in my social circle were taken to their knees in grief as they said goodbye to their friend.

On her memorial page, one of the pictures that was shared was one of the wooden beams which were part of the structure of her church. She had written a sentiment on that piece of bare wood before it was drywalled over and turned into a “finished” place of worship. Her friends and family found solace in the verse she had chosen, and I am sure they would all confirm that she lived by the verse she chose: Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.

This piece of bare wood got me thinking about two other times I have seen someone write on the “raw” construction components of a building.

Once, when my previous employer was transitioning to a new Third Party Administrator, we were taken on a tour of their contact center as it was under construction. One of the workers had written “a sentiment” on a bare piece of wood. My Spanish isn’t that good, so I asked our tour guide what it said. She said, “You don’t want to know.” I’m thinking the message wasn’t “may this business serve every child of Florida as if they were our own sons and daughters.” Probably something more profane than profound!

About ten years ago, when my church was constructing a new sanctuary, we were invited to come to the unfinished church and write on the bare wood underpinnings as a perpetual message and a way to bless the future of the congregation. My son was very small; I am pretty sure his contribution was a line drawing at best or perhaps a scribble. I don’t remember exactly what I wrote, but I attempted to prayerfully convey my hopes and dreams for the future of this parish as it tried to fulfill its mission.

All of us have some type of “raw wood” at the core of who we are. We cover it up with fashion and makeup. We embellish the things we say with attempts to fit in, to appear to be more than we are, to impress and persuade.

As I read people’s comments about Stacey, my acquaintance, I read example after example of how she encouraged, empathized, and motivated others to be the best selves they could be. I thought about how many times in this state capital town I have dealt with people who have completely lost sight of who they are at their core, who make personal choices which hurt those they love as they give in to stress, a hunger for power, and confusion about what really matters.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself mindful that so much of our lives are covered up with window dressing and exaggeration. And I ask myself if the words on the “raw wood” of who I am shine through in what I write, the words I say, and the way I interact with others.

What would you write on your “raw wood?” It’s never too late to strip away the superficial and inscribe a new message.

 

Featured on Friday: Linda Freeman @iamthrivingorg

Note: If you’re looking for an “out of the box” holiday gift idea – KEEP READING!

This is a much longer-than-usual post, but I ask that you hang in there with me because it’s so important and offers opportunities to get involved, give generously, and be inspired this holiday season. Thanks! ~ Carrie

In the autumn of 2012, Linda Freeman entered my life as my next book launch client… and never left! Once a month I have the opportunity to speak with Linda on the phone – allegedly to talk about our work for her and recommend best social practices, but in actuality, to hear about her work in Florida and Cambodia. I leave every phone call energized and inspired.

Her passion for the work in Cambodia, her determination in making a difference for the children of incarcerated parents, and her love for her own family bring a smile to my face and encouragement to my heart. Linda is a woman on a mission.

Last month I used our time to interview her about the work going on in Cambodia. What follows are just highlights – mere snippets – of everything we discussed over 45 minutes, but include an amazing opportunity for YOU to get involved! Keep reading!

Cambodian Care and Light of Future Schools

Last year Cambodian Care was started by the former executive director of Teen Challenge Cambodia, Koy Chhim, and his wife, Reny. After receiving their Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status (non-profit for those of us in the U.S.) from the Cambodian government, they set right to work starting the first Light of Future School in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

Since then, Cambodian Care has started two additional schools, with 512 children enrolled and actively participating! The next goal is to make sure they meet the standards of government run schools in order to gain government accreditation. Linda shared with me that those in Cambodia see spiritual growth as a part of life, not to be separated from learning and other experiences. Because of this belief, Light of Future Schools is able to incorporate spiritual growth (from a Christian perspective) into the curriculum and overall educational process.

The Town with No Name

In 1971, Snoul was taken over by the Communists during the Vietnam war; but in 2015, Snoul became the “hub” for Linda and her team, driving out each day to a small village that sits approximately 5 hours from Phnom Penh, and 15 minutes from the Vietnam border. Because of their proximity to Vietnam, the trade language is actually a mix of Vietnamese and Khmer – the local dialect, which provided a challenge to the team’s Cambodian translators.

When the village leaders found out about the work of Cambodian Care, they reached out to Koy and asked for a school, informing him that the villagers had already agreed to give a piece of land for the building.  This open invitation is how Linda and her team from Florida found themselves bouncing down a road to the Kratie Province this past August, ready to meet the villagers who couldn’t read or write, but knew they wanted to learn.

Welcomed by one and all, Linda and her team focused on hosting a medical clinic during their days in the village (which ties in to the unique Christmas gift opportunity – just keep reading!). The stories from their time there could fill a blog, and Linda has written some incredible posts about their experiences, including When More Happens, What Love Will Do, and Great Things Start Small – you should read them all! 

Education: One Answer to the Sex Trafficking Issue

Cambodia is, sadly, well known for sex trafficking. On a previous trip, Linda and her team worked with She Rescue Home (SRH), founded by Australian sisters, Leigh and Hillary. SRH opens their doors to receive girls who have been referred by a government agency, often as a result of being rescued during a sting operation. Hosting around 30 girls at a time, the staff work with them for up to 18 months, offering counseling, trauma therapy, medical care, and education, and employ social workers to find an alternative placement if going home is not an option. For those who do return home, the SRH team works with the families, finding ways for them to create self-sustaining income opportunities rather than selling their daughters to the sex trafficking world.

GIFT IDEA #1: If you’re looking for a great cause to donate to this holiday season, the work at She Rescue Home doesn’t come cheap – they have staff and social workers, and cover the girls (often extensive) medical care – so consider making a donation this year.

However, before the girls arrive at SRH the sex traffickers first have to find them. In many cases they head out to the country, to towns like Snuol, and villages with little to no literacy or income potential, offering “opportunities” for parents to make money and girls to leave the village. Once they are sold, the traffickers take them back to the capital (hours from home), with no way for the girl (often a young child) to communicate with her family, or even know where she is living or what’s expected of her.

Enter education! By locating schools in these rural villages, both the current generation (and their parents) and future generations can gain the education they need to become self-sustaining through literacy and job development. When the traffickers deceitfully offer educational “opportunities” and access to “health care,” the villagers can say, “We don’t need to send our daughters to the big city for that, we have a school and access to health care right here!” Providing for their educational needs and supporting self-sustaining families through economic growth are great tools in the fight against sex trafficking.

Linda’s desire is to be involved in the Light of Future School project until the first students graduate from high school 10 years from now. In order to really be sustainable, responsible, and practice good stewardship, Linda is committed to stay connected and, in her words, she’s “in it for the long haul,” desiring to see the difference this can make in the children’s lives.

The 5-Year Shoe (CHRISTMAS GIFT!)

While hosting the medical clinic, Linda and her team noticed a lot of foot injuries and issues. From bad cuts to infections, the team did their best to clean up and patch up, but felt discouraged as they watched the newly cleaned and doctored bare feet head off into the dust. After returning to Phnom Penh, Linda observed the filth (dirt, waste, and bodily fluids) that the Light of Future students walked through each day – barefoot – in order to learn. The wheels started turning, but it wasn’t until she returned home and was talking to her daughter-in-law about it that a solution presented itself.

Meet: “The Shoe That Grows” – footwear specifically designed for children in developing countries where both sanitation and resources to replace outgrown shoes is an issue. The Shoe That Grows is intended to last up to 5 years, or 5 shoe sizes, and comes with it’s own shoe bag for storage at night or when not in use.

August 5-19, 2016, Linda and her team intend to go back to all three schools, once again providing medical care to the feet of the students – but this time, sending each child away with a Shoe That Grows. To fund that, Linda has set a goal to raise enough money to purchase 600 pairs of shoes (allowing for school growth from the current 512 students) before their next trip.

Her daughter-in-law, Daniella, volunteered to use her birthday this week as the fund raising kick-off, requesting donations instead of gifts, and set up a fund raising site for the 600 Shoe Goal. To accommodate our desire to help, Linda and Daniella have agreed to extend their campaign through December 31st – so if you EVER wanted to justify buying a pair of shoes, NOW IS THE TIME!

GIFT IDEA #2 Donate Today!

Another easy way to help with this is to vote (by “liking” it) for #MyGivingStory about The Shoe That Grows on Facebook. With enough votes, Linda could win up to $5K to put shoes on these kids feet! VOTE NOW!

The End.

If you’ve hung in with me this long, I appreciate it. I know it’s not because of my writing, but because of the amazingly exciting work that Linda is generously allowing us to be a part of. Although the world often feels like it’s going crazy with attacks in Paris, bombings in Lebanon and Nigeria, and a slew of shootings in the U.S., it’s hope-inducing to read about the work of people like Linda and Koy, and to see the positive impact being made on future generations in Cambodia.

Support She Rescue Home. Give shoes to everyone on your Christmas list without filling their closets. Or (GIFT IDEA #3) buy a copy of Linda’s book, Inspired for Greater Things – all book sale proceeds are donated directly to Cambodian Care.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Indiana Conference for Women (Recap)

It’s not often you get to spend a day with 1,000 women in the same room. It’s especially not often you get to spend a day with 1,000 driven, career-focused INSPIRING women in the same room! This was the case for me during last week’s 2015 Indiana Conference for Women.

I attended #ICW15 representing Weaving Influence as a Social Media Ambassador — sounds fancy, right? As a Social Media Ambassador, I was assigned to live tweet and promote conversation during keynotes and breakout sessions featuring iconic women in the industry. All while hash-tagging #ICW15.

The energy during #ICW15 was empowering and radiated a sense of camaraderie among attendees and speakers alike. Women across generations, at all stages in their careers, could be found sharing stories and dancing to the Beyoncé songs played over the loudspeakers. The girl power was exuberant.

The thought-provoking sessions were the highlight of the conference. Business leaders such as Kathy Ireland and Sallie Krawcheck shared stories of failure, success, and strategy that left the audience inspired. Authors and thought leaders taught valuable skills anywhere from mastering the “Politics of Promotion” with Bonnie Marcus, to Jennifer Kahnweiler’s enlightening advice on developing successful introvert/extrovert partnerships.

Everyone could take something away from the #ICW15, and I highly recommend attending next year’s event. 

Here are a few of my favorite takeaways from the event! Click each quote to share on Twitter.

“Failure and success are not end points, they are the steps along the way.” @SallieKrawcheck #ICW15
“Allow people to refute you, but not dismiss you.” ‪@kathyireland ‪@inconfwomen ‪#ICW15
“You’ve got to compete with a lot of men because we live in a world that was widely shaped by men.” ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“Our failures and successes should not define us, they should not be our identities.” ‪@kathyireland ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“Our unique difference is our strength that we bring to the table. Embrace our difference!” ‪@BethBrooke_EY ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“There is no longer just one seat at the table for women.” ‪@SallieKrawcheck ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“Seek to be worth knowing, not to be well known.” ‪@repucareCEO ‪@debcstephens ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“There is power in friendship and opposites connecting.” ‪@JennKahnweiler ‪@inconfwomen #ICW15
“Find people who will support you and realize you can build allies through the organization.” ‪#PoliticsOfPromotion ‪#ICW15 ‪@selfpromote
“We are a team and NOT competition.” ‪#GirlsRule #ICW15 ‪@inconfwomen

Tell me something! Have you ever attended the Indiana Conference for Women?

 

Featured on Friday: @WilliamFHigh

Did you know that besides launching books and handling social media, we also create websites? This fall our talented web team had the privilege of working with Bill High on the design and creation of his new website. Once it was done, we felt like there needed to be some fanfare to let you know this was out there, so consider this a special “Fanfare” edition of Featured on Friday!

Bill has a great message and purpose: helping families craft a multi-generational vision for their families and assisting them in the development of plans for carrying out that vision.

On his new site, Bill shares that living a life of legacy is more than leaving behind financial assets:

It’s about leaving behind your stories.
It’s about leaving behind memories that last.
It’s about leaving behind a set of values that future generations will continue to follow.

That’s something that hits close to home for me as my parents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary yesterday. The legacy that they have been building over the last 55 years is not something that will soon be forgotten by their 5 children or their 4 grandchildren. It’s far more than what they leave in a will – it’s about the stories that are shared over Sunday lunch, or the faith that they modeled for us throughout the course of their marriage.

If Bill’s mission sounds like something you want to know more about, then stop reading this post (it’s okay, I don’t mind!) and go visit him at:

williamhigh.com

Leave a note on his blog and let him know we sent you!

Nobody’s Got Time for Distraction: Putting the Pomodoro Technique to the Test

Do you sometimes look up at the clock and wonder where the time went? Do you get distracted by Facebook updates and email? Me too! I noticed my distractions increased in direct proportion to how interested I was in the task at hand. But let’s face it, not every task we perform is interesting or fun. I work from home, so I can find endless distractions if I’m not careful. I needed a system.

I tried hiding both email and Facebook, but I would just glance at my phone instead. I tried building breaks into my work calendar with reminders, so I could get up and move around. I just ignored those reminders. Then I read a blog post about the Pomodoro Technique. Basically, you set a timer for 25 minute increments. During those 25 minutes you ignore Facebook, email and every other distraction. You stay completely, 100% focused for that time. When the timer goes off, you get a 5 minute break. Then you sit down and do it again. What intrigued me about this approach was that it encouraged focused time and breaks. Really the opposite of how I normally work.

Here’s a typical work day for me: I sit down in front of my computer between 7 and 8 in the morning and dive in. I hit email and then work on other tasks. When a new email pings, I log over and check it out. I eat my meals in front of my computer. I rarely take a break or walk away until the work is done. No wonder my brain is fatigued and looking for distractions.

So, I decided to give Pomodoro a try. There are plenty of free timers on the web, or you can use your phone. This is the one I used. There’s also a book, an app and lots of blogs. The first day I had a schedule of client calls so I only had two Pomodoro sessions. I found myself unconsciously heading over to check my email and Facebook. It was almost an automatic reflex. I would be mid-read in an email and realize what I had done. The two sessions, even with my setbacks, felt focused and productive.

The next day was the real test. I had several reports I wanted to tackle. Often these will take me several days because while I love the strategic part of the reports, inputting the numbers and formatting the slides is the kind of tedious work that sends my mind wandering. I set out to do 5 Pomodoros and knock out at least 4 reports. If you’ve ever meditated and fought ‘monkey mind’ you’ll understand how this day worked for me. I would be targeted and on track and then, without even noticing, the monkey mind would be swinging through my Facebook feed. I would pull myself back, minimize the page, and do it again. I ended up doing 8 Pomodoro’s that day and finishing the first drafts of all my reports.

The most surprising thing was how much I looked forward to the breaks. I made myself get up and go into another room, do some jumping jacks, fix a snack, anything but think about the work I had been doing. Those breaks helped me come back fresh every time.

I don’t think the Pomodoro Technique is a miracle from the heavens, and there is no reason 25 minutes has any magic to it, but the system has worked for me. After a few days of struggling, it’s helped me keep my mind focused, keep the email beast at bay and it’s gotten me away from my desk throughout the day to refresh my mind and my spirit. I’m more productive and less burned out. Pomodoro for the win!

What do you do to stay productive?

Featured on Friday: Servant Leadership Summit #SLS2015

Leadership is hard. There may be days when all you want to do is crawl home and pull the covers over your head. Or maybe that’s just what you feel like when you’re an introvert! Either way, leadership requires hard work and perseverance, and it helps if you can learn from people who have “been there, done that” along the way.

If you start noticing the hashtag #SLS2015 on Twitter, you’ll want to take note because it’s talking about a very unique opportunity that is taking place next Monday (11/9), and you will be kicking yourself if you miss it. Let’s run through the list of speakers:

Ken Blanchard – one of the most influential leadership experts in the world
Mark Miller – serves as the Vice President of Training and Development at Chick-fil-A
Cheryl Bachelder – the CEO of Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen Inc.​
Ken Jennings – bestselling author, speaker and active consultant in organizational leadership
Dr. John Stahl-Wert – highly sought-after keynote speaker, an expert in growing great leaders
Pat Falotico – CEO of the Robert K Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership
Matt Tenney – social entrepreneur, author, international keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant

Impressed? You should read their short bios, and then their long bios! It seems like they get more done in an hour than I often get done in a week, and better still – they do it by using their leadership roles to serve others. In fact, this idea of servant leadership is so important to them, they are each giving up a portion of their work day on Monday to share their insights and wisdom with you – FOR FREE!

That’s right, the Servant Leadership Summit is completely FREE to attend – and with almost 700 people registered already, you’ll want to grab a virtual seat while they’re still open!

Joining this talented panel are your hosts – and fellow leaders – Karin Hurt and Becky Robinson. Karin is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and MBA professor whose award-winning blog, Let’s Grow Leaders, has grown into a highly interactive, international community. I’m sure you know Becky, the founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, who has grown her company from a team of 5 contractors to over 30, including 7 employees who support her work with authors and thought-leaders.

So – what are you doing on Monday from 11:30 – 2:30 (ET)? I hope you’re signed up to join us for 3 hours of leadership development and growth! Can’t stay for all of it? Sign up anyway and join us for 30 minutes at lunch, or an hour in the afternoon – I guarantee you’ll leave with something to think about and put into practice.

Spread the Word – Send this Tweet Now!

Join me at the FREE 3 hour Servant Leadership Summit #SLS2015 hosted by @beckyrbnsn & @LetsGrowLeaders on 11/9 http://bit.ly/SLS_Nov9

{Tweet Now!}

Featured on Friday: #NewSocialLearning by @marciamarcia & @tonybingham

I’ve been on Facebook since July of 2007. In 2011 I joined the ranks of Goodreads and Pinterest, and in January of 2012, I reluctantly got a Twitter account. The irony of my slow acceptance of social media is that I’ve now been gainfully employed in the social world for the last three and a half years, thanks to Becky Robinson.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned – both from my personal use of it, as well as professionally – it’s that social is always changing. Just when you think you have it figured out, they change the system – or add a completely new platform!

Over the last three and a half years, I’ve watched with interest the growth of social media in the corporate world. When companies merge, it’s no longer just a question of, “how do we split up the stocks and board members?” but, “how do we merge our social channels and keep our followers?”

Social media has found its way into the board rooms. Our resumes are now our LinkedIn profiles. Entrepreneurs who are busy growing a new venture must also juggle social media if they want to find an audience. If any of this sounds familiar, then I think you’ll enjoy getting to know today’s featured authors.

Meet Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner

Tony Bingham is the president and CEO of the Association for Talent Development, formerly ASTD, the world’s largest professional association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations. He empowers professionals to develop talent in the workplace.

Tony believes in creating a culture of engaged, high-performing teams that deliver extraordinary results. Deeply passionate about change, technology, and the impact of talent development, his focus is on adding value to ATD members and the global community of talent development professionals.

He believes that aligning talent development efforts to business strategy, while utilizing the power of social and mobile technology for learning, is a key differentiator in business today.

Marcia Conner is a former corporate executive who now dedicates her time to reinventing a vibrant and healthy global ecosystem. Described as a “blank page systems architect,” she works closely with risk-taking leaders, impact entrepreneurs, and unreasonable thinkers, ready to use their powers for good.

Marcia is a SupporTED Mentor, contributes to Fast Company and Wired, is an activist with Change Agents Worldwide, and a fellow at the Darden School of Business. She is advisor to the Way to Wellville and MMINDD Labs.

She is also the author of Learn More Now, a co-author of Creating a Learning Culture, and a contributor to Changing The World Of Work. Marcia speaks across the globe on outcompeting current structures through system innovation and ingenuity.

Connect with Tony & Marcia on Social

As the president and CEO of ATD, Tony would love to connect with you on the ATD Facebook page, or you can follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+.

Marcia can be found on Facebook, tweeting away on Twitter, as well as LinkedIn and Google+.

Discover The New Social Learning

The best spot to go to learn more about this helpful book is their book website: thenewsociallearning.com. There you can find a free sample chapter to download, more information about the book (like where to order), and beautiful share graphics and tweets to send out. You can also download engaging content and tools from The New Social Learning. Don’t miss stopping by and checking it all out this weekend!

As it’s Buzz Week for the book, I would be remiss if I didn’t point you to one of these three guest posts, hosted by:

Jane Anderson @ InsiteSkill
Chantal Bechervaise @ Take It Personnel-ly
And Innovation Excellence

If you’ve read the book, this weekend would also be an excellent time to stop by Amazon and join Lisa, Paul, Christopher, Andy, and Rebecca by leaving your review. Short, sweet, and to the point, or long and detailed – book reviews are one of the best (and easiest) ways to show your support for an author and their work, so head on over to Amazon today!

Want to do more?

Send this tweet now and show your social support!

Community is created by connecting & creating a better world together. #NewSocialLearning @marciamarcia @tonybingham http://bit.ly/buyTNSL {Tweet Now!}