Hello Team!
Recently, our family participated in a murder mystery dinner, and it was an unforgettable experience. We haven’t had that much fun in ages.
Each of us had a role in the drama. My husband played a son struggling to get into community college, while the kids and I portrayed the sheriff’s children. We laughed, cried, and even argued…fully immersed in the storyline for the entire two hours. It made me reflect on something important: engagement.
Whether our role was large or small, we each felt needed and critical to the unfolding drama. This got me thinking about our team meetings. Do we ensure everyone feels essential? Do team members understand their purpose and expertise? It’s crucial that everyone knows why they’re there and the value they bring.
So, before your next meeting, let’s prepare the team. Reach out to individuals like “John” for logistics or “Elizabeth” for insights on the millennial generation, even if those aren’t part of their job description. Give them a heads-up on what to consider beforehand. This way, everyone can contribute meaningfully, transforming your meetings from mundane to engaging.
I guarantee that with a little prep, meetings will not only be productive but also enjoyable. Let’s create an environment where everyone is involved and has a voice. There’s no mystery about that kind of success!
Stay Sharp,
Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting
P.S.
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Where’s the Cake?
One of my clients has a delightful practice I think could benefit us all. She has a charming tradition of bringing cake to every in-person meeting, proclaiming, “Life is too short not to celebrate with cake!” And you know what? She’s absolutely right!
Why wait for the holiday party to celebrate your organization’s milestones and successes? The truth is every achievement—big or small—deserves recognition. And after all, if you wait too long to celebrate, everyone will forget that wonderful sense of accomplishment they had. So, let’s start celebrating now!
Maybe cake isn’t your thing. Perhaps you prefer piping hot French fries, Krispy Kreme donuts, or a colorful fruit platter instead. It doesn’t matter what the treat is…what’s important is taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of our team members. This practice not only affirms the efforts of everyone involved but also grounds us in our shared purpose. Celebrating together fosters camaraderie and boosts morale, reminding us that we’re all in this together. So, as we move forward this month, let’s keep an eye out for opportunities to celebrate our collective achievements.
So don’t forget the cake! Let’s make a point to bring joy into our work environment and savor the moments that matter. Whether it’s a sweet treat or something savory, let’s commit to celebrating our successes and nurturing the spirit of teamwork. Here’s to celebrating each other—because every day is worth a little festivity!
Stay Sharp,
Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting
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Michelangelo was not born a great artist. He developed the skill to paint a masterpiece like the Sistine Chapel ceiling by continually setting out to do something far beyond what he, or any other painter of his time, had done. Every painting was a leap of faith accompanied by the risk of failure. Each one tested not only his creativity and skill, but also his commitment, convictions, and even his identity. He embraced what might be called the 10x mentality.
Most of us reach for just a little more – a promotion, a bit more money, a personal record. That’s incremental progress, and it’s a 2x mindset. You’re just working twice as hard at what you’ve always done. You’re letting the past dictate what you do and how you do it.
But what if you want to create a meaningful, transformational difference in your life and business? What got you here won’t get you there. You need a 10x mindset. This isn’t about more…it’s about less. A 10x mindset is essentially about quality over quantity. Going 10x is about the simplification of your focus down to the core essentials. Then you remove everything else. Your attention is directed on far less, but its impact is far greater because of that focus. Michelangelo painted on a scaffold with his nose just a foot or so from his masterpiece. Although he had a very clear idea of what the entire painting would portray, he focused on the details of one particular figure at a time. And painted it perfectly.
Want to learn more about this concept? Check out “10x Is Easier the 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It’s full of great insights on how to make a 10x mindset work for you.
Stay Sharp,
Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting
P.S.
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I have a writer friend who has a dozen or more notebooks filled with random quotes, ideas, interesting facts, and even useless trivia and stick drawings. Why? Because a writing professor once told her “if you don’t write it down NOW, you’ll never get it back later.”
That simple observation is SO true. As we navigate through another busy month, I want to highlight an often-overlooked practice – documentation. It’s the simple process of writing everything down. And doing it NOW, not later.
It’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll get to it “when we have time,” but let’s be honest—time slips away faster than we think. You might believe you’ll remember every detail of that meeting or conversation, yet as the days pass, those small but significant pieces begin to fade from memory. The goal to documenting isn’t perfection; it’s about capturing the essence of what’s happening now. It’s preserving your thoughts and the insights of your team members at this moment. Get them written down and move on. They’ll be there when you need them.
I’ve found the easiest way to document is simply to start an online Word document and just start putting everything down freeform. Bullet points are fine, and so are incomplete sentences. Don’t worry if it’s messy – the goal is to get those thoughts down before they wander off (and they will). Oh, and if you’re willing to embrace some new technology, there are even apps that will take notes at a meeting and transcribe them for you. How handy!
While you’re at it, make documentation a standard practice for your entire team. Their contributions are crucial, and let’s be honest – some of them may be elsewhere by year’s end. Don’t lose that knowledge. While we all have the best intentions, our fast-paced environment often makes it difficult to revisit and record important information later. By prioritizing documentation now, you ensure that valuable knowledge doesn’t slip through the cracks. Making this part of your team culture has an added benefit, as well. It drives home the point that everyone’s insights are crucial, no matter what their role.
Let’s commit to this practice together. Set aside a few minutes each week to document discussions, decisions, and key moments. It will pay off in the long run, creating a valuable resource for everyone involved. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—act now and preserve what matters before it’s gone!
Stay Sharp,
Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting
P.S.
Jump start your 2025 planning with our virtual training opportunities!
Interested learning how to conduct your own Strategic Plan?
For newcomers, you can also build your tool belt with ToP Methods of Facilitation
Happy January, everyone!
As we step into the new year, it’s the perfect time to take charge of your calendar. You know, there’s an old saying that “failing to plan is planning to fail,” and it’s true. Getting control of your calendar – and your time – is crucial to success. I want you to pause for a moment and schedule those important events – your board retreat, staff training, personal vacation, and any upcoming conferences for networking in your profession – right NOW.
Go ahead—block out those dates on your calendar! There are a number of benefits to getting these events down in black and white (or whatever colors you like most). For starters, you’re more likely to follow through with these plans because you’ve taken a proactive step in controlling your organization’s calendar. This simple step will help you avoid the “we have three big things planned for the same week” dilemma. And trust me, when you and your team see these events scheduled, excitement and anticipation will build, because everyone recognizes they will be well-planned and productive. With this one simple step, you’ll become the driver of your team’s success!
In our business, we’ve already mapped out our year. I know exactly when we’re attending two conferences, that my personal vacation to Colorado is planned for June, and when we’ll hold a mini retreat in the fall to create new content. Just the sight of these dates on my calendar fills me with a sense of expectation and excitement! I’ll be able to get the most out of those conferences, really enjoy that vacation, and be energized by the new ideas we generate at our retreat.
So, don’t let January be just a blip between the holidays before the first hint of spring. Block out some time on your calendar that you can look forward to. Planning events well in advance will not only enrich your professional life but also boost morale within your team. Remember, this proactive approach is far more fulfilling than just sending out endless Zoom calendar invites. Embrace the excitement of what’s ahead and make 2025 a year filled with purpose and positivity!
Stay Sharp,
Holly Hayes, President & Founder
ISI Consulting
P.S.
Jump start your 2025 planning with our virtual training opportunities!
Want to improve your facilitation skills with our $40 Master Fast Track?
Interested learning how to conduct your own Strategic Plan?
For newcomers, you can also build your tool belt with ToP Methods of Facilitation
