The Success Talk Show

 We all want success, but I'm convinced that not all of us really know what we MEAN when we say that we want "success." Have you taken the time to uncover what you truly consider as success in your career? On this episode of The Success Talk Show, I walk you through 5 steps to uncovering what success means to you. It's a simple process that will require that you invest a little time, but the payoff when it comes to career satisfaction and decision-making ability is tremendous. Listen to this episode to find out how to clarify your definition of success - and I'd love to hear how these steps prove helpful to you.

If you don't clearly know what success is for you, you'll be vague on your goals.

Once you start a career it's all too easy to get rolling in the direction the company or your superiors set for you and not give it a second thought. But you are the one who has to live your life, you are the one who works in your career. It's important that YOU be satisfied with where you are and where you're headed. That means you need to know what you consider to be a success and what you don't. It's what will enable you to set clear, aligned goals and stay on track when it comes to the decisions you make. It will also enable you to know when you've accomplished the things that really matter to you. On this episode I walk through 5 steps you can take to get really clear on your own definition of success so you'll be able to live and work in a way that is aligned with your own values.

It's important to be honest with yourself about what success really means to you.

The pressure we feel to live up to the expectations of others is real. We want people to think well of us and to see us as a "success," but whose definition of success should really matter to us? You need to be honest with yourself about what success really means to you - after all, you are the one who has to live with the results coming from your life and career. In this episode, I describe a process you can go through to discover your own version of success. The clarity you gain will enable you to set satisfying goals, make better decisions that are in alignment with those goals, and live a truly successful life.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

During this episode I reference that quote - it's by John Quincy Adams - and it is one of my favorites. It reminds me that the kind of influence I'm having isn't always seen in the traditional roles my career path may place before me. Even in positions where I'm not an "out front" leader, I can be inspiring others, and that's something that matters to me, something I consider to be a success. But I wouldn't know that if I hadn't spent time thinking through my personal definition of success. If you need clarity about why you're doing what you're doing and where you truly want to be headed in your career, listen to this episode. The 5 steps to clarifying what success means to you that I cover will help you get your bearings and stay on track to be the influence you want to be.

Strategic planning is more effective when you know what success means to you.

When we do strategic planning we often look at sales goals, project deadlines, annual revenue targets, and the like. But what about the goals that are aimed at your personal success? Should we be considering those? When it comes to strategic planning I've found that it's much more fulfilling when I engage in it, in light of my personal idea of success. I'm able to work toward career goals in light of what I know resonates with my deeper desires. I'm able to make current decisions based on my desires for the future. All of that means I'm able to be intentional about where I'm headed so that I'll be able to eventually obtain my definition of success. This episode is aimed at helping you define your own definition of success and help you stay on track toward it.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:35] Success. What is it to YOU, and why it's important to know.
• [5:10] STEP 1: Brainstorm what comes to mind when you hear the word "success."
• [8:31] STEP 2: Brainstorm what comes to mind when you think of "career advancement."
• [13:58] STEP 3: Create a document that describes what you've come up with.
• [14:54] STEP 4: Refer to your document when you do strategic planning.
• [16:03] STEP 5: Track your progress regularly.
• [17:20] Be aware that the things you aspire to as success can change over time.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn
• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com - get a peek at "Acclimate to Accelerate" my 6-week course

As a leader, a number of things that wind up on your plate can cause you to feel like you are not in control. But you can be in control if you are on top of your game when it comes to productivity. On this episode of the podcast, I share 7 habits that will help you increase your productivity as a leader by putting you in a place of daily control over your responsibilities. I'm confident that if you learn and apply these habits to your life you'll see dramatic changes in your level of productivity and ability to lead. Why am I so confident? Because that's exactly what happened in my life. You can hear how it happened on this episode.

When your daily plan is written out it serves as a roadmap to keep you on course.

One of the habits that has changed the way I work is the habit of writing out a daily plan for each and every day. I write it out the night before and keep it beside me on my desk as I'm working. That way I can refer to it easily and find my way back to what I was doing go back when I get derailed by a teammate or off track myself. I've found that this one habit is a powerful way to reclaim time and increase productivity because it's an extremely practical way to set yourself up for success. You can hear how the habit works and learn my best practices by listening to this episode.

It's vital to work on your most important priorities first thing each day.

All tasks are not created equal. We know intuitively that some of the things we do are more important, more vital to our role and our company than others. I learned a few years back that for that reason alone it's important to tackle the highest priority tasks of my day before I allow the lesser priority tasks to crowd my schedule. When I've got my most important items nailed down early in the day, I've already made the day a success, which builds momentum and motivation for everything that follows. Don't miss my 7 habits to increase productivity and amplify leadership. I share them on this episode.

Do you know how to negotiate the commitments you make in your workplace?

If you are in a leadership position in your organization where you answer to others higher up in the organization, you may be asked to commit to things throughout your workday that don't fit into the plan you've made for your day. What can you do when that happens? I call it "negotiating your commitments" and it involves offering alternatives to the superior that provides the help they are seeking while protecting the priorities you've set for yourself. You can hear how this strategy works and how it can amplify your leadership productivity, on this episode.

You can't do it all, and more importantly, you shouldn't try.

Each of us is designed with a unique mix of talents, abilities, skills, and gifts that equip us to accomplish certain kinds of tasks with energy and passion. But there are also tasks we are responsible for that don't energize us and for which we have little passion. In order to increase productivity as a leader, we've got to build a habit of focusing on the things that we are best at doing, the things we are uniquely wired to do. Everything else needs to be delegated to others on the team who are strong in those areas. This habit creates a win-win, enabling everyone on the team to operate in their areas of strength. I hope you'll take the time to listen to this episode and learn how you can build the habits that will increase your leadership productivity.

 

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Why it's important for leaders to have great productivity habits.
• [3:50] Habit #1: Create a plan for the week that contains your 3 top goals.
• [8:20] Habit #2: Plan your days the day before.
• [10:19] Habit #3: Tackle your highest priority tasks first thing every day.
• [12:46] Habit #4: Use your plan for the day to guide your attention.
• [15:10] Habit #5: Learning to say "no" or negotiate commitments.
• [17:50] Habit #6: Learn to delegate the things you are not best at doing.
• [21:30] Habit #7: Make a routine around care for yourself (sleep, nutrition, exercise)

Resources & People Mentioned

• Dr. Heidi Halverson
• Evernote
• Get Donna's free worksheet: www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/planning-your-time
• Priority Management course: Working Smart
• The StrengthsFinder Assessment
• Episode #5 - with Dr. Sarah Reiff Hekking
• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn
• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com - get Donna's Acclimate to Accelerate program

 

When you have the opportunity to interview for a new role you need to be ready to make the most of it. That means preparing for the interview process so you can stand out from the rest of the applicants. In my experience as an executive coach I've seen a lot of opportunities wasted because of interview mistakes, so on this episode, I explain 5 of the most common and serious interview mistakes you should avoid in your next job interview.

Prepare yourself for the reality of the interview process.

The first thing I want to bring to your attention in this episode of the podcast is not exactly an interviewing mistake, it's more a misunderstanding about the interview process. Interviewing is exactly that, a process. It's hardly ever one conversation followed by a decision. In fact, I've interviewed for positions where I have gone through as many as 17 interviews with a variety of people in the company. You need to be ready for that. Every conversation you have along the way needs to be as important to you as the one before. Look at every person you interview with as if they are the final decision-maker. I want to help you prepare for the grueling process interviewing can be, so be sure you take the time to listen to this episode.

In job interviews, can you clearly articulate what you bring to the table?

One of the most common interview mistakes I've seen has to do with the interviewee's inability to clearly define what they bring to the role they are seeking to fill. It's fine to point to the "team" aspect of past experiences but don't let that overshadow your specific role on the team and the unique things you contributed to the ovarall success. This can be a tricky nuance to apply to an interview conversation but I explain it fully on this episode, so I hope you'll take the time to listen, learn, and equip yourself for the next opportunity that comes your way.

The #1 reason a leader doesn't work out in a role: culture fit.

Don't forget that the interviewing process is not only about assessing your skills and experience. It's also about discerning whether you are a good fit within the culture of the company. There are many times your skills and experience may suit you for a role perfectly, but if you're not the right fit for the company's culture, you probably won't be the candidate chosen. Are there things you can do to prepare for this issue? Are there ways you can better approach the interview in light of cultural fit? I've got ideas to share with you about it, so be sure you listen.

Interview mistake #5: You're not the only one being interviewed when you interview.

It's easy to fall into a type of thinking that says, "The interviewer asks the questions." But most interviewers don't actually WANT it to be that way. Think of it like this: If the person interviewing you is passionate about their company and the things they are doing to help their clients and serve their customers, they are looking for people who have the same kind of enthusiasm. How will they know if you have it? By the questions you ask! Your curiosity and interest in the company, its values, and the mission it is seeking to accomplish will serve you well if you learn to ask the right questions. On this episode I walk through how you can do exactly that.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] The scenario: a career position you want. How do you get it?
• [2:11] First, let's understand the interview process.
• [4:05] Interview Mistake #1: Be unable to clearly articulate what you bring to the table.
• [6:20] Interview Mistake #2: Avoid specifics of what YOU've done to create results.
• [9:52] Interview Mistake #3: Don't know how to set yourself apart from other candidates.
• [13:58] Interview Mistake #4: Don't give thought to issues of company culture and fit.
• [18:01] Interview Mistake #5: Don't show enough curiosity. Don't ask questions.
• [19:58] If you could use more clarity in your career, get my free course (link below).

Resources & People Mentioned

• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn
• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com (the Acclimate to Accelerate Course)

One of the biggest challenges facing leaders in the technology field is the difficulty of finding and hiring skilled professionals. There is a mismatch between people looking for jobs and the skills that are actually needed in technology, and a small pool of professionals for the many available jobs. Amy Kardel of Clever Ducks joins me on the podcast today to discuss the great opportunity for careers in technology as well as how companies can help create a bigger talent base and develop future leaders.

Employment branding is essential to compete for a smaller talent base

Because the talent pool is so much smaller than the need, companies need to put effort into employment branding that will attract skilled technology professionals and future leaders. On this episode, Amy Kardel describes how to tell your company story and share the excitement of why people want to work there. She also shares how her company creates talent, by finding people with the base skills that they can add to and then working through a growth plan with them. Listen to discover how to successfully compete for future leaders in technology.

Intentional employee engagement helps companies grow their own talent

As I listened to Amy Kardel in today's podcast interview, I was impressed with what a great example she provides of several crucial drivers of employee engagement: Listen to this episode to hear how Amy and her company care about the development of their employees, provide opportunities to learn, share feedback about how they are doing, and give recognition and appreciation. They have developed a sustainable way to grow their own talent. With today's small pool of skilled technology professionals, this is a viable and exciting way to cultivate talent and develop future leaders.

Crucial qualities for leaders in technology

Amy Kardel works with many leaders in technology and has many insights into what makes them successful. On today's episode, Amy talks with me about leadership qualities that are essential in order for them to address the challenges of hiring skilled professionals and developing future leaders. Inclusivity, communication skills, and executive presence are crucial for leaders in technology. Listen in to find out why, and how you can work collaboratively across borders to accomplish your goals, create talent, and build future leaders.

Do you need a college degree for a career in technology?

If you have technology skills, a college degree that leaves you with thousands of dollars in debt may not be necessary for you to have a great career. There is likely a place for you in tech where you can get into an apprenticeship program along with some college courses. On this episode, Amy Kardel encourages you to find a spot where you are needed and can grow your skills. You may be a future leader. Listen to find out about the great opportunities for careers in technology!

Outline of This Episode

• [35:00] Introducing Amy Kardel, president and co-founder of Clever Ducks.
• [2:05] IT leaders face the difficulty of finding and hiring skilled technology professionals.
• [5:02] Schools are not preparing our youth for the jobs that will be available to them.
• [9:30] Employment branding is essential to compete for a smaller talent base.
• [15:46] Intentional employee engagement helps companies grow their own talent.
• [18:48] Crucial qualities for leaders in technology, #1 - Inclusivity.
• [19:52] Crucial qualities for leaders in technology, #2 - High communication skills.
• [20:22] Crucial qualities for leaders in technology, #3 - Executive presence.
• [23:27] Career opportunities in technology may not require a college degree.
• [25:47] Amy Kardel's passion and commitment to helping young people grow and build out their career.
• [28:47] My story - How the lack of guidance I received led to developing Success Compass Academy to help others.
• [31:16] Don't underestimate the value of what you're doing.
• [35:18] Amy Kardel's motivation to go back and get her law degree.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Amy Kardel's e-mail
• CleverDucks.com
• CompTIA
• Book: All the Leader You Can Be: The Science of Achieving Extraordinary Executive Presence, Suzanne Bates
• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn
• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com

 

Kristen Nolan believes that professional and financial success is 100% dependent on how energized, motivated, and confident you feel. On this episode, Kristen describes how you can achieve success by using simple but powerful techniques to uplevel your physical health, energy, and stamina. High-performance leadership requires a lot of you. I have personally benefitted so much from following Kristen's techniques. Listen to today's interview to learn what you can do to make sure that you are physically and mentally able to do what it takes to succeed.

Getting the fuel you need to succeed in high-performance leadership

A common challenge faced by high-performance leaders is being in back-to-back meetings with no time to fuel themselves with the right kind of food. Many are not in touch with their bodies enough to even know what foods will energize them. On this episode, my guest Kristen Nolan explains why this is a detriment to successful leadership and gives some helpful tips and resources for getting the meals and snacks that your body needs. Listen in to learn how to fuel yourself for high-performance leadership!

Balance out your stress level so you can perform at your best

Most people are not aware of the heavy toll that stress takes on their bodies. It can decrease your digestive function by 50%, making it difficult to get all of the nutrients that your body needs, and it can leave you feeling weary and ragged. On this episode, Kristen Nolan emphasizes the importance of showing up to work rested instead of ragged, and talks about how you can create a healthy balance of recovery activity so that your stress doesn't rule the day or ruin your health and you are able to lead successfully.

Three powerful ways to transform your energy

Increasing your energy, motivation, and confidence may be a simpler process than you might think. On this episode Kristen Nolan describes three changes that you can make, starting today, that will transform your energy for high-performance leadership. Listen to this interview to hear how increasing movement, even just ten minutes a day, can raise your energy level. You'll also find out how to boost your metabolism, to create space for mindfulness, and how all of these things can transform your energy so that you are able to achieve professional and financial success.

You do actually have the time to take care of yourself

Thinking they don't have time is the biggest block that high-performance leaders face when considering the steps they need to take to increase their health, motivation, and energy. But when you realize how much time is taken away from your productivity because you're not taking good care of yourself and feeling good, you actually do have the time. Following these techniques has transformed what my days look like and how much I can get done. Listen to this episode to discover how physical fitness is the most powerful creator of your success, and to get the helpful resources you need so that you can begin the journey to increased energy and motivation today!

Outline of This Episode

• [0:35] Kristen Nolan, high-performance strategist for executives and entrepreneurs.
• [2:20] Getting the fuel you need to succeed in high-performance leadership.
• [7:07] The high toll that stress takes on your body.
• [10:05] Balance out your stress level so you can perform at your best.
• [13:45] Change #1 - Incorporate daily intentional movement for just 10 minutes a day.
• [17:32] Change #2 - Improve your metabolism. Here's how.
• [20:39] Change #3 - Create space for mindfulness.
• [23:50] You can't skip over these steps and expect you're going to show up at your best.
• [25:56] You actually do have time to take care of yourself.
• [28:19] How Kristen Nolan works with people to determine what they should be eating to fuel their energy.
• [30:05] Using the Z-Health brain-based training system to improve balance and stability.
• [32:11] What Kristen Nolan wishes she would have known earlier in your career.
• [35:05] What happened when I committed to tackle the health and fitness side of my life.
• [36:26] You can start tackling these things ten minutes at a time.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Kristennolan.com
• www.31Snacks.com
• Tony Robbins
• Z-Health
• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn
• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com

What are your personal values? The things that are not negotiable in your career and work life? Those values, your opinion of what's important to you, can be used to shape your actions, behavior, decisions, and even the company culture. But first you need to identify what those values are. On this episode, I walk you through the process of determining your values and then give you additional tips that will help you use your personal values to drive career satisfaction.

Use your personal values to determine when to take action

When you experience a strong (positive or negative) reaction to something in your workplace, it is a clue that one of your values is being either honored or violated. Getting clear on what your values are can help you determine when you need to take action, and what action you need to take. On this episode, I show you how to determine how well your values are being met, and give some examples of actions that you might take in response.

Use your personal values to shape your own behavior

Once you have identified your personal values, make sure that you are living them out. The way that you show up, living and breathing your values, becomes the essential core of your personal brand. On this episode, I talk about being consistent between what you say is important and the way you actually treat others. Listen in to learn how not only your personal values, but also your company values, create the most job satisfaction when they are lived out in authentic ways.

Use your personal values to make career decisions

When you are interviewing for a new role, you can use your personal values to help determine whether or not that role or that company is the right fit for you. On this episode, I talk about how to ask questions that can reveal whether or not your values would be met in a new setting. Listen to learn how to identify your personal values and then use them to make good decisions about your career or within your current role.

Use your personal values to foster company culture

How are your personal values aligned with the values of your organization? When you link your values to those of the organization, you can bring another level of passion to actually strengthen the culture as you interact with your team, employees, and clients. Listen to today's episode of The Success Talk Show for insights on how your personal values, linked with those of your organization, can create an extra level of passion and enthusiasm as you solve problems together and plan for the future.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Identify and use a set of personal values to drive your satisfaction with your career.
• [1:22] Personal values are your opinion of what's important to you.
• [2:09] Tip #1 - How to identify your 5-8 personal values.
• [4:15] Tip #2 - Use your values as a flag to determine when to take action.
• [6:23] Tip #3 - Use your values to shape your own behavior.
• [9:32] Tip #4 - Use your values as part of your decision-making process for a career move.
• [13:11] Tip # 5 - Use your values to foster company culture.
• Determine what your values are and use them to guide your decisions and actions.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn

• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com

Many leaders struggle with delegating tasks and responsibilities. On this episode, I explain how you can delegate in a way that maximizes your own personal impact and significantly increases the engagement of your team. You will hear six tips that will help you to delegate effectively so that you strengthen your brand as a leader and enable meaningful involvement for your team members.

Successful delegation begins with knowing yourself

Successful delegation begins with knowing yourself, what you're good at, what you want to be known for, and what activities tap into your weaknesses. On this episode, I describe how you can become more self-aware about these things. You'll hear how to determine which activities to delegate and how delegating maximizes your personal impact. Listen to today's podcast to take a closer look at how you are managing your responsibilities and learn to delegate successfully.

To delegate successfully, take the time to know your team well

When you know the strengths, weaknesses, and goals of your team members, it will help you to match up assignments and tasks with each person. On this episode, I describe how to do a deep-dive with your team members so that you can delegate successfully and increase their engagement. Listen in for tips and resources for getting to know your team members in a way that will help you delegate effectively and strengthen your leadership.

Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal formula when you delegate an assignment

The S.M.A.R.T. goal formula (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) can help you delegate assignments effectively. On this episode, I walk you through the formula and explain how each element is used for delegating. You will hear how the S.M.A.R.T. formula enables you to clearly communicate what success looks like and to increase your team members' engagement. Listen to today's episode of The Success Talk Show to get the tools that you need for delegating successfully.

Appreciation and recognition increase team engagement

Delegating is an opportunity to help grow the person who completes the task. When you spotlight their accomplishment, you help build their personal brand. Expressing appreciation can be anything from a simple thank you to recognition within the team or the company, depending on the task and what was accomplished. When the person who did it feels seen, acknowledged, and appreciated, they will be motivated to do more of the same. Listen to today's podcast to learn how to increase team engagement through appreciation and recognition.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Delegating to improve your brand and increase engagement.
• [1:00] Tip #1 - Start by knowing what you're good at and what you want to be known for.
• [2:33] Tip #2 Make a list of activities that do not play to your strengths, that perhaps tap into a weakness.
• [4:35] Tip #3 Become familiar with the strengths, weaknesses, and professional goals of your team members.
• [6:33] Tip #4 Decide what you are going to delegate to each team member.
• [8:46] Tip #5 Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal formula when you delegate the assignment.
• [10:20] Tip #6 Be sure to follow up with appreciation or an appropriate form of recognition.
• [12:13] It all starts with your self-awareness.

Resources & People Mentioned

• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com
• Episode #26 - Authentic Personal Branding: The Key to Your Success
• Donna Ceriani on LinkedIn

Authentic personal branding is a critical element of what I call your Success Compass, the powerful combination of elements that guide you in choosing a path to follow in accelerating your success. On today's episode, I explain what personal branding is, why it is important, how to determine your brand, and how to leverage it to achieve your goals. Listen in so that you can start getting clarity on your own personal brand and begin to move forward toward your goals.

What do people think of when they think of you?

If someone who knows you hears about a role that would be perfect for you, will they think of you first? Authentic personal branding is a way to increase the likelihood that people know what you have to offer and will keep you top of mind in the areas of your passions and strengths. On this episode, we'll talk about being your own CEO and the head marketer of "you." Seventy percent of all roles are filled through a personal connection. Listen to today's podcast to learn how to clarify your personal brand so that those connections work for you.

Being self-aware about your biggest contributions is the starting point to develop your personal brand

What are you really good at? What do people appreciate most about you? What are you passionate about? Your awareness of the authentic answers to these questions is the starting point for your personal brand. On today's episode of The Success Talk Show, I'll provide questions you can ask yourself in the process of clarifying your personal brand, and I'll mention several ways you can go about getting helpful feedback from others as well. Listen in to get the information and motivation you need to bring clarity to your personal brand and leverage it to achieve your goals.

Only an authentic personal brand will lead to success

Your personal brand must be authentic to what is really true for you, not something made up. If you try to create a brand that is not real, people will see the disconnect and not trust you. On this episode, I describe what an authentic personal brand looks like and how to find and develop yours. I'll provide questions to help you clarify your brand, and challenge you to live out your brand with your actions in every arena of life so that others not only hear your words but see from your actions who you are and what you have to offer.

How to leverage your personal brand to achieve your goals

Once you have clarity on your authentic personal brand, how do you leverage it to achieve your goals? On this episode, I give you four tips that will help you in this process. We'll talk about gaining clarity, figuring out what you want to be known for, and communicating your authentic brand to others. Listen to this episode of The Success Talk Show for the information and encouragement you need to develop your personal brand and begin to live and breathe it.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:18] Authentic personal branding is a critical element of your Success Compass
• [2:08] Identify a specific goal that you can keep in mind through today's episode.
• [2:56] What is a personal brand, and why does it matter?
• [5:43] What people know about you determines the decision they will make about a potential role for you.
• [8:19] 70% of all roles are filled through a personal connection.
• [9:02] How self-aware are you about where you make your biggest contribution?
• [10:16] What you are passionate about could be that special something that people associate with you.
• [11:21] Focus on specific goals as you work on your personal brand.
• [13:50] Your personal brand must be authentic to what is truly you.
• [15:24] How do I actually decide what my personal brand should be?
• [17:59] Is there a disconnect between what you want to be known for and what you are actually doing?
• [19:40] Tip #1 - Gain clarity on what your brand is today. Here's how.
• [23:31] Tip #2 - Figure out what makes you unique.
• [25:30] Tip #3 - Decide what you want to be known for.
• [26:40] Tip #4 - Communicate your brand to others.
• [28:47] My Own Success Compass is an online program to walk you through this step by step.

Resources & People Mentioned

• MyOwnSuccessCompass.com
• Book: In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters

When I was making the pivot from the corporate world to going out on my own, I got involved in a coaching group and got to know other entrepreneurs very well. As I began learning what I needed as an entrepreneur, I realized that many of the principles they were teaching were quite applicable for the corporate world as well. On today's podcast, I share five of those lessons with you; lessons that are valuable for ambitious leaders anywhere in the marketplace. Listen in and discover what you can learn from the world of entrepreneurs!

You are your own greatest asset

You are your own greatest asset. So it is really important to invest in yourself! Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals? Are you an ambitious leader? On this episode, I challenge you to invest in learning, to look for the education or coaching that will fill the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Listen in to get motivated to invest in yourself, to find out what percentage of your income is best spent on personal development, and to ask the questions that will get you started.

Be crystal clear about what you have to offer

You will not be able to stand out in a crowded market without being clear on how you are going to help your clients solve a particular problem. On this episode, I will give you a number of questions that you can ask yourself to help you get clarity on what you have to offer. We will also talk about your vision for your career and what you are passionate about. Listen in and then schedule time to think through the questions and get crystal clear about what you have to offer.

Adopt a vigorous commitment to strategic planning and goal-setting

Entrepreneurs schedule time each week for determining how they will spend their week based on their goals. In the corporate world, we tend to find ourselves just pushing forward on our never-ending to-do list. Ambitious leaders need to pull themselves out of reactive mode and set aside time for being strategic about their goals. On this episode, I will describe this weekly meeting with yourself and how it can make you stand out and be more productive in your role.

Devote ample time to self-care

Do you have time to take care of yourself? Many ambitious leaders don't think that they do. But the truth is, when you devote time for self-care it pays enormous gains in your productivity. On this episode of The Success Talk Show, I'll explain how devoting time to self-care, even if you don't think you have the time, will actually allow you to do more with less effort. Listen in to learn what self-care is about and how it protects and strengthens your best asset!

Outline of This Episode

• [0:35] Why I want to share these five lessons from entrepreneurs.
• [3:39] Lesson #1 Invest in yourself.
• [8:50] Lesson #2 Commit to a vision that excites you.
• [10:33] Lesson #3 Be crystal clear on what you have to offer.
• [13:35]Lesson #4 Adopt a vigorous commitment to strategic planning and goal-setting.
• [15:51] Devote ample time to self-care.
• [18:54] The Altitude Assessment can help you in this process.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Episode 23: Using Your Passions to Improve Your Life and Work
• Episode 15: Managing Stress Effectively
• AltitudeAssessment.com

Most of us understand the importance of first impressions. But what we are coming to realize is that in 2017 and beyond, our first impression is likely to be a digital one. On this episode, Amanda Healy, social media and personal branding specialist, gives us helpful tips and ideas for making a great first impression with our LinkedIn profile and using it as a personal branding tool. LinkedIn can do more than you think. Learn how to use it well on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

Common mistakes people make on their LinkedIn profile

Are you waiting to get started on your LinkedIn profile because it seems overwhelming and you don't have everything perfectly ready to go? Do you consider LinkedIn to be just your online resume? You are in good company, and Amanda Healy has some helpful recommendations for you on today's episode. Find out why you should go ahead and get started on your LinkedIn profile, learn how to use LinkedIn as a personal website instead of an online resume, and discover the value of LinkedIn and the features you may not know exist.

Should my LinkedIn profile be written in third person or first person?

Some people feel that a third person LinkedIn profile appears more professional. But, according to personal branding specialist Amanda Healy, writing in first person brings your authentic self into the digital sphere, and creates a connection. People want to know who you are and why they would want to work with you. Listen to my conversation with Amanda to learn how first person writing and social authenticity creates the best digital first impression.

  How to use your LinkedIn photo banner to establish your personal brand

Your LinkedIn photo banner is your product wrapper, the first thing people will see when they visit your profile. This important feature is often overlooked. In this podcast interview, Amanda Healy explains how you can up-level your credibility by leveraging this as the super-feature that other people don't use. You will learn how to choose a photo that will connect with your personal brand, and how to begin thinking about your personal brand if you have not yet established it.

Ninja tricks for personal branding on LinkedIn

Do you know how to use LinkedIn to develop and promote your personal brand? Today's guest, Amanda Healy, has some simple but effective tips, her "ninja tricks," that can help you effectively establish your personal brand on LinkedIn. Listen in to discover the reason you should write about why you do your role instead of just what you do, how you can customize your LinkedIn URL and then use it to drive traffic to your profile, and how using LinkedIn as a blogging platform is a great way to get your name out there.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Introduction of today's guest, Amanda Healy.
• [2:35] Your first impression is likely to be a digital first impression.
• [3:34] Mistakes people make with their LinkedIn profile are similar despite different roles and different life stages.
• [4:10] Get started on your profile. Don't wait.
• [4:55] Treat your LinkedIn profile as your personal website, not your online resume.
• [6:55] Value all that LinkedIn has to offer.
• [9:19] Should my LinkedIn profile be written in third person or first person?
• [12:25] If I update my LinkedIn profile, will my employer think I'm looking for another job?
• [17:57] Ninja Trick #1 - Write about why you do your role rather than just what you do.
• [21:53] Ninja Trick #2 - Customizing your LinkedIn URL.
• [23:43] Ninja Trick #3 - Use LinkedIn as a blogging platform.
• [28:17] How to determine your personal brand and use your LinkedIn photo banner to promote it.
• [34:57] Bring your authentic self into each and every thing that you do.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Amanda Healy on Twitter
• Amanda Healy's Email
• Image source: Unsplash