Finish The Year Strong

 

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8 ways to take control, finish the year strong and set yourself up for an awesome New Year

It’s amazing how fast each year comes to an end and a new one starts again. Can you believe we have less than 20 days left until the end of the year? In fact, we have less than 20 days left until the end of the decade. 

Interestingly, it’s usually this time of year when people start putting things off.  My husband, who works in sales, talks to dozens of people a day.  Do you know what happens in December?  Yep, everyone says the same thing, “Call me in the New Year”.  I’ve been hearing this a lot from friends and clients too. 

How many times have you thought this to yourself in the past couple of weeks? I’ll do that in the New Year. 
I’ll start that new exercise routine or diet in the New Year. 
I’ll apply for that job in the New Year. 
I’ll have that conversation in the New Year. 
I’ll sign up for that course in the New Year.

I’ve been hearing this a lot from friends and clients too.​ My guess is that most of those things you haven't finished on your list for this year have now gone onto the list of “Things to do in the New Year”.

But what if you could take a few of those things and cross them off your list NOW?
What if you could finish strong and set yourself up for an even better 2020?  

Have you ever run a race or played in a sports game?  What happens towards the end of the game or the race?  Do you slow down, get distracted and want to give up?  No, you do the exact opposite; you dig deep, garner all the energy you have and push to finish strong.  How many championships are won in the last 30 seconds with a crazy shot on goal, 3-point basket or sprint to the end? 

You’ve put a lot of time effort and energy into this year already and now’s your chance to reap the benefits and rewards.

Yes, I know it’s a busy time of year. I've talked to many folks in the last couple of days who are feeling stressed out, overwhelmed and challenged by the busyness of it all. Holiday Parties, check. Shopping, check. Kids’ events, check. Travelling, check. Keep everything in control at work, check. End of year rush, check. I get it. With three active kids, clients, a business to run and a home to take care of, I know just how busy it can get! With so much to do, it’s easy to put things off, get distracted or feel overwhelmed. 

Instead of using December as a reason NOT to do all those things on your list, why not use it as a DEADLINE to get stuff done?!

Take control of the end of the year; don’t let the season sweep you into a shopping, party-filled, too-much-to-do frenzy; live this December with intention and a focused mindset. 

Here are 8 ways to help you finish the year strong!

Finishing the year strong will bring you strength and momentum, intention and focus.

Now is your opportunity to take advantage of all the work you’ve put in this year so far. 

Now is your time.  Let’s finish STRONG!!!! 

 
Featured
How To Escape The Curse Of Competence
competence, strategies, YES Filter, Zone of Genius
How To Escape The Curse Of Competence
competence, strategies, YES Filter, Zone of Genius

“If you want something done, ask a busy person.”

I’ve watched that saying prove true again and again over nearly 30 years of coaching and consulting. The capable people get tapped for everything.

Can you lead the presentation? Train the new hire? Fix the project? Join one more committee? Of course you can. You’re reliable, experienced and willing to step in.

But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

My latest Forbes article explores what I call the curse of competence: getting pulled into work because you’re good at it, not because it is the best use of your strengths, supports your growth or brings you joy.

If you feel like you’re the one carrying everything, I wrote this piece for you.

Inside, I share:

  • How to recognize when competence has quietly become obligation

  • The real cost to your energy, growth and joy

  • A simple YES filter to use before automatically agreeing

  • Graceful ways to say no, redirect an opportunity or make room on your plate

This isn’t about becoming less helpful or less generous. It’s about protecting your capacity for the work only you can do.

The goal isn’t to do less. It’s to stop giving your best work away so you can be brilliant at the work that fulfills you.

Read more →
competence, strategies, YES Filter, Zone of Genius
Your Talent Development Budget’s Been Slashed. Now What?
AI, Budget, Talent, Training, Coaching, Teams, Investment, Leadership
Your Talent Development Budget’s Been Slashed. Now What?
AI, Budget, Talent, Training, Coaching, Teams, Investment, Leadership

A trend is evident across organizations: budgets are tightening, and talent development is often one of the first areas to take a hit. As investment in AI climbs, budgets for training, leadership development, and teambuilding are decreasing.

It’s logical on paper. AI is the future. It promises speed, efficiency, scalability, and cost savings. Organizations are transforming to meet future demands, and AI investments are vital for long-term success.

However, there’s a risk quietly building beneath the surface: we’re optimizing organizations through AI while underinvesting in the humans doing the work. That’s a dangerous tradeoff.

What happens when we inadvertently deprioritize the growth, development, and human connection of the people managing these AI processes – and everything else that keeps organizations running smoothly? The unintended consequences may not show up on a dashboard, in OKRs or KPIs today or tomorrow. But they will. Disengagement, eroded trust, and talent loss often don’t announce themselves until it’s too late.

As budgets shift and AI investment accelerates, the real question isn’t: How much can AI replace? Instead, it’s How can we best-equip humans to succeed and thrive in an AI-powered workplace?

The answer is not to slow AI development, but to match it with an equal and continued commitment to the human-forward development of people.

Read more →
AI, Budget, Talent, Training, Coaching, Teams, Investment, Leadership
​Change Leadership Made Simple: How Great Leaders Can Inspire Teams Through Uncertainty
​Change Leadership Made Simple: How Great Leaders Can Inspire Teams Through Uncertainty

After years of coaching leaders through change - and navigating plenty myself - I’m excited to share my latest Forbes Coaches Council article:

​Change Leadership Made Simple: How Great Leaders Can Inspire Teams Through Uncertainty.

Change is everywhere - at work and in life.

New initiatives. New strategies. New technologies. Shifts in leadership, roles, objectives. Career transitions, promotions, layoffs.

Sometimes we choose it. Sometimes it chooses us. But we’re all experiencing something new.​

Read more →
Self-Awareness: The Leadership Game-Changer
self-awareness, leadership
Self-Awareness: The Leadership Game-Changer
self-awareness, leadership

We all think we know ourselves. But do we really? In this article I wrote for TalentCulture, I discuss how leadership self-awareness isn’t about good intentions or taking one personality test—it’s about consistently understanding how your behavior affects others.

If you’re thinking, “I’ve done the work”, here’s the catch: you may think you know yourself. Odds are, you mostly do. But real self-awareness isn’t static. And the blind spots that held you back five years ago? They may still be showing up in subtler, more impactful ways.

When leaders fail to recognize that they might be the problem, their teams suffer—and so does business performance.

Read more →
self-awareness, leadership
Power Of The Pause
Power Of The Pause

One of the more undervalued and less frequently discussed behaviors of great leaders is the ability to pause— to step back and stay calm under pressure. Pausing is a critical yet often overlooked skill that allows a leader to block out the noise, chaos, and competing opinions of others and identify the best way forward.

In this Forbes article, you’ll learn to master the power of the pause with one of my favorite leadership tools --- the AHA Method.

Where can you start using the power of the pause in your leadership and life?

Power Of The Pause

Read more →
Survival Isn't Success: Leaving A Toxic Work Environment
toxic, toxic workplace, accept, change, leave, quit, happiness, success, toxic environment
Survival Isn't Success: Leaving A Toxic Work Environment
toxic, toxic workplace, accept, change, leave, quit, happiness, success, toxic environment

Many of us have experienced the murky waters of a work culture gone wrong. In this article on Forbes, I unpack the signs—and impacts—of a toxic work environment and what to do if you find yourself there.

Survival Isn't Success: Leaving A Toxic Work Environment

Read more →
toxic, toxic workplace, accept, change, leave, quit, happiness, success, toxic environment
Creating A Collaborative Workplace: Six Strategies That Actually Work
collaboration, leadership, team dynamics, productivity
Creating A Collaborative Workplace: Six Strategies That Actually Work
collaboration, leadership, team dynamics, productivity

We all know that collaboration is critical, but many leaders struggle to harness it effectively. Leaders can't simply tell their team to “Be more collaborative!” They must dedicate time and intentionality to making it happen. This Forbes piece is chock-full of tips and strategies to get back to basics and effectively foster a collaborative environment.

Creating A Collaborative Workplace: Six Strategies That Actually Work

Read more →
collaboration, leadership, team dynamics, productivity
Have you Heard of "Lucky Girl Syndrome?"
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #luckygirlsyndrome, #katiecouricmedia, #toxicpositivty, #powerofpositivity, #authenticity, #betruetoyou
Have you Heard of "Lucky Girl Syndrome?"
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #luckygirlsyndrome, #katiecouricmedia, #toxicpositivty, #powerofpositivity, #authenticity, #betruetoyou

I was thrilled to be contacted by the team at Katie Couric Media to weigh in on a timely topic called, “Lucky Girl Syndrome.” I had a wonderful discussion with the reporter on the benefits of positive thinking, the downfalls of toxic positivity, and how “luck” plays a role in creating the lives of our dreams. We talked about the seductive and trendy nature of "manifesting" and the importance of "putting in the work".

Read more →
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #luckygirlsyndrome, #katiecouricmedia, #toxicpositivty, #powerofpositivity, #authenticity, #betruetoyou
Bring on the Confidence!
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #confidence, #boostyourconfidence, #chaseyourdreams, #beconfident
Bring on the Confidence!
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #confidence, #boostyourconfidence, #chaseyourdreams, #beconfident

Looking for ways to build your confidence? Check out this podcast and article to help you - and your kids -have the confidence to seize opportunities, take chances, embark on the next steps in your life or career, and live a life you love.

Read more →
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #confidence, #boostyourconfidence, #chaseyourdreams, #beconfident
How to Figure Out Your Next Career Move
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #nationalcareerdevelopmentmonth, #careeradvice, #careercoaching, #careerchange
How to Figure Out Your Next Career Move
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #nationalcareerdevelopmentmonth, #careeradvice, #careercoaching, #careerchange

If you’re considering making a move or looking to develop your career further, this is a great time to take a step back, and reflect on what’s most important to you and what you want for your future. In this article, you’ll learn what’s going on with this seismic shift in careers, why it can be so hard to make a move, and five clear and simple steps to take if you’re ready to make a change.

Read more →
#personaldevelopment, #leadershipcoaching, #livealifeyoulove, #nationalcareerdevelopmentmonth, #careeradvice, #careercoaching, #careerchange
 
Tracy Kennedy#tracykennedycoaching, #finishstrong, #finishtheyearstrong, #yougothis, #makeithappen, #motivation, #mindset, #intentionandfocus